Ryan Day knows better than anyone that coaching at Ohio State means living under the constant glare of expectations. The Buckeyes are not simply another college football program; they are one of the sport’s crown jewels, a team that defines excellence for generations of fans and a university that measures seasons not just in wins, but in championships. For Day, this reality has been both a privilege and a pressure cooker. He has guided Ohio State to immense success since taking over the program, yet he also understands that the target on the Buckeyes’ backs is larger than ever before. Every team they face brings its best shot, every mistake is magnified, and every season is judged by whether or not Ohio State beats its biggest rivals and contends for national titles.
The idea of having a target on their backs is nothing new for Ohio State. For decades, the program has carried itself as a standard-bearer of the Big Ten and one of the most dominant forces in all of college football. The Buckeyes recruit nationally, produce NFL-level talent year after year, and fill Ohio Stadium with over 100,000 fans on Saturdays. They are the team that conference opponents mark on the schedule as their measuring stick. Yet in recent years, this target has become even brighter and heavier, especially as programs like Michigan, Georgia, and Alabama remain fixtures on the national stage. Day knows that Ohio State cannot afford to slip, not even slightly, because every opponent is desperate to capitalize on their rare vulnerabilities.
Since succeeding Urban Meyer in 2019, Day has guided the Buckeyes with a balance of continuity and evolution. He has embraced the offensive firepower that became a hallmark of modern Ohio State football, producing elite quarterbacks like Justin Fields, C.J. Stroud, and now a new wave of highly recruited passers. His teams have been among the nation’s leaders in scoring, passing efficiency, and explosive plays. Yet for all the offensive fireworks, the narrative surrounding Ohio State under Day has shifted in key moments. The losses to Michigan in 2021, 2022, and 2023 reminded fans that the rivalry still defines much of the program’s identity, and the heartbreaking College Football Playoff defeat to Georgia in the 2022 Peach Bowl underscored just how fine the margins are at the elite level. Day knows those moments amplify the size of the target, because every stumble gives hope to the rest of the college football landscape that the Buckeyes can be caught.
But having a target on their backs is also a testament to Ohio State’s continued excellence. Programs don’t get circled by opponents unless they command respect. Day often reminds his players that they represent something bigger than themselves when they wear the scarlet and gray. The tradition of Woody Hayes, Jim Tressel, Urban Meyer, and countless legendary players hangs over every game. Being Ohio State means being hunted, and Day has leaned into that reality by cultivating a culture that demands toughness, accountability, and relentless preparation. It is not enough to out-talent opponents. The Buckeyes must also outwork and out-execute them, because teams across the Big Ten and beyond view an upset of Ohio State as a season-defining accomplishment.
The coming seasons will test just how well the Buckeyes handle this burden. The Big Ten is expanding to include powerhouse programs like USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington, making the weekly grind even more brutal. Day recognizes that the conference schedule itself will present challenges unlike anything Ohio State has faced before. There will be fewer easy weeks, more physical battles, and more national spotlights. The target will grow, not shrink, and Day’s message to his players has been clear: embrace the weight of expectation, because it is proof of what the program has built. If teams are gunning for you, it means you are still the standard.
At the same time, Day has faced his share of criticism. Some fans argue that despite his regular-season dominance, he has not delivered enough in the biggest games. The Michigan losses especially sting, because beating the Wolverines is not just a goal at Ohio State, it is the expectation. For three straight years, the Buckeyes have fallen short in The Game, and that fact looms large over Day’s tenure. Critics suggest that no amount of playoff appearances or Big Ten titles can fully compensate if the program loses its edge against its greatest rival. Day understands this pressure intimately. He has spoken about the responsibility he carries, acknowledging that at Ohio State, the standard is unforgiving. Even a record most programs would envy—playoff appearances, double-digit wins each season, a roster stacked with NFL prospects—is dissected for shortcomings.
Yet there is also resilience in Day’s leadership. He has not shied away from making difficult staff changes when necessary, including revamping the defensive coaching staff after weaknesses were exposed in 2021 and 2022. He has pushed recruiting into overdrive, consistently landing top-five classes filled with future stars at every position. He has adapted to the new realities of college football, including NIL and the transfer portal, ensuring Ohio State remains competitive in an evolving landscape. These moves reflect his understanding that the target on their backs is not stationary; it grows larger and more complex each year. Staying at the top requires constant evolution, because opponents are studying every weakness and every misstep in hopes of breaking through.
For the players, Day’s message about the target carries motivational weight. Each week, the Buckeyes must prepare knowing they will receive their opponent’s maximum intensity. A team like Indiana or Purdue may not have Ohio State’s depth or talent, but the energy they bring into the matchup often rivals what they would show in a bowl game. Upsets in college football often stem from underdogs playing with nothing to lose against a favorite carrying the weight of expectation. Day works to instill a mindset in his roster that prevents complacency, stressing that the Buckeyes must treat every game like a championship opportunity. In his view, the target is not a disadvantage but a privilege, a sign that Ohio State remains at the center of college football’s spotlight.
Day’s awareness of the target also extends to how he manages his quarterbacks. At Ohio State, the quarterback position is one of the most scrutinized in the nation. Every throw is dissected, every decision evaluated in the context of the program’s high standards. For a young quarterback stepping into the role, the target is immediate. Day has made quarterback development a hallmark of his coaching, ensuring that his passers not only thrive in his offensive system but also prepare for NFL success. This dual pressure—winning games and grooming stars—further underscores how much weight rests on his shoulders. It is a unique challenge, but one that Day has largely met, as evidenced by the seamless transitions between stars in recent years.
The broader landscape of college football also shapes the meaning of the target. Programs like Alabama and Georgia are also circled on every opponent’s calendar, yet Ohio State’s place in the Midwest, its connection to Big Ten tradition, and its identity as a perennial contender give it a distinct role. Day knows that Ohio State represents more than just wins and losses; it symbolizes pride for an entire region, a program that must uphold both athletic and cultural legacies. This is why even small missteps become magnified. A single defeat can spark weeks of debate on talk shows, in recruiting circles, and among alumni. The microscope never moves away. For some coaches, that pressure might become unbearable. For Day, it is the reality he signed up for when he took over one of college football’s greatest programs.
Looking ahead, Day’s ability to navigate the weight of the target will define his legacy. If he can restore dominance in The Game, if he can push Ohio State back to the mountaintop of college football, his tenure will be remembered as a continuation of the program’s historic excellence. If not, the criticism will only grow louder. That is the nature of leading Ohio State: success is celebrated briefly, but failure lingers far longer. Day’s recognition of the target on their backs is both a reflection of humility and a declaration of intent. He knows the Buckeyes will always be hunted, but he also knows they have the resources, talent, and tradition to remain the hunters.
In many ways, the target is what keeps Ohio State sharp. Without it, complacency might creep in. With it, the Buckeyes are forced to prepare with urgency every single week. Day’s challenge is to channel that pressure into performance, to ensure his players see the target not as a burden but as a badge of honor. The roar of the Horseshoe, the banners of past championships, the legacies of legendary players—these all remind the program of what it means to be Ohio State. Ryan Day embraces that reality, knowing full well that as long as he leads the Buckeyes, the spotlight will never fade and the target will never shrink.
