BREAKING NEWS: Paul Finebaum Sends Chilling Warning to Ohio State Football Coach Ryan Day Before Texas Showdown
Paul Finebaum has issued a stark and unambiguous warning to Ohio State head coach Ryan Day ahead of the highly anticipated College Football Playoff semifinal matchup against Texas in the Cotton Bowl, sending ripples through Buckeye Nation. As the Buckeyes prepare to square off against the SEC powerhouse, Finebaum’s message was clear: Day must deliver or risk losing more than just a game.
On ESPN’s Get Up, Finebaum made it very clear that the pressure on Day remains considerable. “I still think Ryan Day has some pressure,” he stated. “Now, I agree with Heather completely … I don’t think the weight of the world is on his shoulders anymore, but he has the best team. He has the most talented team. A lot of people have already given him the trophy so I do think there is pressure there. Sark is also a very successful coach and a loss here really wouldn’t hurt him, but it would hurt the SEC.” (
Finebaum’s words weren’t framed in hyperbole—they cut to the heart of expectations surrounding Day. Despite capturing the 2024 National Championship and steering Ohio State to a remarkable record (70–10 overall), the coach remains under scrutiny. And in Finebaum’s view, more than his counterpart Steve Sarkisian of Texas stands to lose if Ohio State falters.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Texas, under Sarkisian, enters the game with a talented roster anchored by quarterback Arch Manning, whom Finebaum has compared to Tim Tebow and predicted could be a Heisman finalist. He notably argued that the Longhorns might have won the previous CFP semifinal by playing Manning earlier.
Adding to the tension, Finebaum suggested that only a deep playoff run would solidify Day’s future at Ohio State. As he noted in a separate segment, “if the Buckeyes cannot make a serious run … I’d fire him on the field before he gets to midfield.” That stark declaration followed Ohio State’s losses to Michigan in consecutive seasons and mounting frustration among critics.
Since losing to Michigan late in the regular season, Ohio State rebounded impressively—dominating Tennessee and Oregon before earning their spot in the playoff. Finebaum acknowledged that resurgence but emphasized that expectations have now shifted to a national title. (
According to Finebaum’s analysis, a win over Texas is not only necessary—it’s long overdue. With Ohio State favored by ESPN BET at roughly 5.5 points, his prediction underscores the pressure on Day to capitalize on favorable odds.
On social media and sports forums, Finebaum’s remarks stoked debate among Buckeye fans and pundits alike. Some dismissed his commentary as SEC bias or provocative hot takes, while others took it seriously as a clear missile aimed at Day’s credibility. One Reddit user noted: “He’s probably wrong most of the time so that doesn’t bode well for us.”
Fans remember all too well that Finebaum has occasionally sided against Ohio State—for instance during past Rose Bowl predictions—and that he rarely hesitates to criticize the program. A vocal Buckeye fan reflected, “Was honestly shocked he picked against us…” referencing Finebaum’s predicted alignment with the Ducks in another postseason matchup.
Internally, Ohio State players and staff seem focused but aware of the external scrutiny. Conversations around team motivation hint at a desire to prove doubters wrong. As one fan wrote, “The only thing that worries me is … I have zero faith in Ryan Day’s ability to win under pressure.” (Reddit) The message from Finebaum only amplifies those concerns.
For Ryan Day, the message is twofold: be ready to deliver a statement win, and understand what’s at stake. Beating Texas would not only propel the Buckeyes to another title game—it would silence critics and validate his tenure. Greater still, it would reaffirm his position as one of college football’s elite coaches with a resume already boasting a national championship and sustained excellence. But Finebaum’s ultimatum serves as chilling reminder that college football’s spotlight can shift fast.
Off the field, the surrounding narrative is all about the coach’s future. Having signed a lucrative contract worth $12.5 million annually, Day’s résumé is impressive—with 70 wins and one national title since his 2019 appointment . Yet the losses to Michigan linger, and Finebaum’s commentary makes it clear: the postseason is when legacies are defined.
If Day prevails, the pressure will deflate, and Ohio State would be one win away from repeating as national champions. But if Texas pulls off the upset, the ramifications could be seismic. As Finebaum suggested, in his eyes, Day may no longer simply be riding on past success—today, he is being judged by his ability to deliver on the biggest stage.
With kickoff looming, the Buckeyes are left to ponder a question Finebaum quite literally posed: the trophy has already been handed out by those who assumed Ohio State would win it all—now Day must justify that confidence. Failing to do so could change not just one postseason, but the trajectory of his entire tenure.
As the countdown begins to the Cotton Bowl clash with Texas, one thing is indisputable: Paul Finebaum’s warning is meant to be chilling—and it packs more weight than most realize.
