Ohio State Football 2025 Fan Survey Reveals Optimism, Concerns, and Expectations for Ryan Day’s National Title Pursuit in Columbus
As Ohio State football charges into the 2025 season, the mood across Buckeye Nation is a complex cocktail of anticipation, anxiety, and unrelenting passion. With Ryan Day at the helm and another top-tier recruiting class on campus, fans have plenty to cheer about. Yet, the echoes of past postseason shortcomings still linger, leading many to voice concerns about the program’s direction. In a recent fan poll conducted through multiple Buckeye forums, social media groups, and online platforms, thousands of fans weighed in on the current state of the program. From quarterback confidence to coaching strategy, and from rivalry expectations to national title aspirations, the results offer a revealing look at how one of college football’s most passionate fanbases feels heading into a pivotal season.
One of the most telling sections of the fan poll focused on confidence in Ryan Day as the head coach. While Day’s overall record remains among the best in the nation—only a few coaches have won more games since he took over—his 1-3 record against Michigan and his inability to bring home a national championship remain significant blemishes in the eyes of many fans. According to the poll, 64% of respondents said they “mostly support” Day but want to see better results in rivalry and postseason games. Another 22% said they had “full confidence” in Day and believe a national title is within reach under his leadership. However, a vocal 14% expressed concerns that Day may not be the man to lead the Buckeyes to their next championship, with some even suggesting the program needs a fresh voice to close the deal.
Despite the criticism, there’s no denying the talent stockpile in Columbus. Ohio State returns one of the most star-studded rosters in college football, especially on defense. With returning stars like JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer anchoring the defensive front, and Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs patrolling the secondary, the Buckeyes boast arguably the top defense in the country. When asked which unit fans were most confident in, the defense earned an overwhelming 72% of the vote. After years of frustration with defensive lapses in key games, the Silver Bullets appear to be back with a vengeance.
On the offensive side of the ball, things are less settled. The quarterback competition has dominated offseason conversation. With Devin Brown, Julian Sayin, and Will Howard all competing for the job, opinions are divided. Sayin, the freshman phenom and former five-star Alabama commit, garnered the most excitement among fans, with 48% saying they hope he wins the job—even if that means some early growing pains. Howard, the veteran transfer from Kansas State, pulled in 33% support from fans who want a steady, experienced hand. Brown, a holdover from last year’s team, received just 19%, with many fans feeling the opportunity has passed him by. No matter who takes the first snap in September, all eyes will be on quarterback development, especially given the high expectations set by past OSU greats like Justin Fields and CJ Stroud.
The wide receiver room remains arguably the most elite position group in college football, and fans know it. Led by returning All-American Emeka Egbuka and breakout candidate Carnell Tate, the Buckeyes are once again expected to have one of the most explosive aerial attacks in the sport. Fans expressed near-universal confidence in Brian Hartline’s ability to develop talent and get his receivers NFL-ready. More than 80% of poll respondents called the WR unit the “most consistently elite” group on the team over the last five years. With top recruits like Jeremiah Smith now in the mix, the bar is sky-high.
Another topic that stirred strong opinions was the Michigan rivalry. Simply put, Buckeye fans are sick of losing to the Wolverines. After winning eight straight from 2012 to 2019, Ohio State has now dropped three in a row to Michigan for the first time since the early 1990s. This shift in momentum has not sat well with the fanbase. When asked how important the Michigan game is compared to national championship contention, 61% of respondents said “beating Michigan is the single most important goal.” Another 31% said it’s “as important as winning a title,” and only 8% said a national title could make up for another loss to the Wolverines. For Ryan Day, the message is loud and clear: beat Michigan or face a reckoning, no matter how many regular-season games are won.
The expanded College Football Playoff also drew mixed reactions. While many fans are excited about the increased opportunity to play for a title, others worry it might devalue the regular season or reduce the stakes of rivalry games. Still, 69% of fans believe the new format increases Ohio State’s chances of winning a national title, especially given the program’s ability to consistently field top-10 teams. However, there was an undercurrent of concern that the Buckeyes might “sneak in” without truly dominating, which some fans fear could create false hope or delay necessary changes.
When asked about the state of Ohio State recruiting, fans were mostly satisfied but not without concern. The 2025 recruiting class is loaded, with several five-star commitments and one of the top offensive line hauls in recent memory. Yet, some worry that Georgia, Alabama, and now even Oregon are starting to outpace the Buckeyes on the trail. In particular, the need to land elite defensive tackles and linebackers was noted by fans as a “priority moving forward.” NIL was also a hot-button issue, with many fans expressing concern that Ohio State is not aggressive enough in that space. Roughly 54% said they believe Ohio State is “falling behind” in the NIL arms race, while 38% said the program is “holding its own.” Only 8% felt OSU was leading the charge.
Special teams and playcalling were also frequent points of frustration. Some fans questioned whether Parker Fleming’s departure was too late, while others expressed cautious optimism about the changes in coaching responsibilities heading into 2025. Offensive playcalling, particularly in short-yardage situations, continues to be a sticking point. Many fans feel the Buckeyes have not consistently asserted their will in the run game, especially against elite defenses. Chip Kelly’s role as the new offensive coordinator was met with intrigue—58% of fans said they believe Kelly’s experience will make a “significant difference” in game-planning and adjustments. However, others were less convinced, pointing to recent underwhelming results during his UCLA tenure.
A particularly interesting trend emerged regarding fan expectations. Despite some pessimism and frustration, the overwhelming majority of fans still have sky-high hopes for 2025. When asked what the minimum acceptable result would be for the season, 42% said “win the Big Ten and beat Michigan,” 28% said “make the national title game,” and 18% said “win the national championship or bust.” Only 12% said that a playoff berth alone would be enough to satisfy them. This shows the remarkable expectations that come with being a fan of a blue-blood like Ohio State. Merely competing is never enough; dominance is the goal.
Interestingly, the poll also captured fan sentiment on the culture of the program. Many fans applauded Ryan Day’s commitment to academics, player development, and overall team discipline. Several cited the absence of major off-field controversies as a testament to Day’s leadership. But others argued that Ohio State needs more “edge,” more “toughness,” and more “nastiness” to win against the elite of college football. The comparison to Michigan’s trench-dominant style and Georgia’s physicality was a recurring theme. There’s a growing desire among the fanbase to return to a more aggressive, smash-mouth brand of football—especially in cold-weather games and playoff scenarios.
In closing, the 2025 Ohio State fan poll paints a picture of a passionate and deeply invested fanbase. Support for Ryan Day remains strong, but not unconditional. The defense inspires confidence, the offense is loaded with talent, and the program is still considered a top-tier national title contender. Yet, the demands remain high: beat Michigan, win the Big Ten, and bring home the trophy. Anything short of that, and the questions will only grow louder. As the Buckeyes prepare for another run at glory, one thing is clear—this fanbase will continue to expect, demand, and believe in greatness.
