Paul Finebaum Candidly Weighs In on Ohio State’s Ryan Day Amid Rising Expectations, National Pressure, and Fierce Big Ten Rivalries

Paul Finebaum Candidly Weighs In on Ohio State’s Ryan Day Amid Rising Expectations, National Pressure, and Fierce Big Ten Rivalries

Paul Finebaum, a figure synonymous with college football analysis and Southern sports commentary, has never shied away from speaking his mind. Known for his piercing insights and unapologetically blunt evaluations, Finebaum has built a reputation as the voice of college football, particularly when it comes to high-profile coaches and powerhouse programs. This time, his attention turned northward — to Columbus, Ohio — as he shared his honest and unfiltered opinion on Ohio State head coach Ryan Day. The reaction from Buckeye Nation was mixed, but the broader college football world took notice.

Finebaum’s remarks about Ryan Day come at a pivotal moment for Ohio State. Since taking over from Urban Meyer in 2019, Day has accumulated a strong record, boasting a winning percentage well above .800, multiple College Football Playoff appearances, and an elite-level recruiting resume. However, despite his statistical success, some fans — and evidently Finebaum — believe Day has underperformed relative to the lofty expectations that come with leading a blue-blood program like Ohio State.

When asked recently about his thoughts on Day’s tenure, Finebaum didn’t hold back. He acknowledged Day’s record and ability to keep Ohio State among the nation’s top programs, but questioned whether he is truly the man to bring the Buckeyes back to national championship glory.

“I think Ryan Day is a very good football coach. There’s no debating that,” Finebaum said in a recent radio interview. “But when you coach at a place like Ohio State, good isn’t good enough. You’re expected to beat Michigan, win the Big Ten, and compete for national titles. And lately, that hasn’t happened.”

The comment struck a nerve with many Ohio State supporters. While they may not openly admit it, there’s a growing sentiment among some Buckeye faithful that Day’s inability to beat Michigan in recent seasons has cast a shadow over his otherwise stellar record. Losing to Michigan three years in a row — something unthinkable during the Meyer era — has raised serious questions about Day’s leadership in the rivalry that defines the program.

Finebaum continued, “Ohio State has more resources, more talent, and more brand power than almost any school in the country. So when you fall short, especially to your biggest rival, it matters. And make no mistake — Michigan’s recent dominance in ‘The Game’ is not something the Ohio State fanbase takes lightly. Nor should they.”

To understand Finebaum’s critique, it’s important to consider the broader context of Day’s tenure. His first full season in 2019 was nearly flawless — a perfect regular season, a Big Ten title, and a narrow semifinal loss to Clemson in the College Football Playoff. The following year, during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Day guided the Buckeyes to another playoff berth, this time dismantling Clemson and reaching the national title game, where they fell to Alabama.

Despite that early success, the cracks began to show in 2021. Michigan, under Jim Harbaugh, finally broke through and handed Day his first regular-season loss. In 2022, the Buckeyes again fell to the Wolverines — this time at home — in a stunning second-half collapse. And in 2023, a heartbreaking last-minute loss in Ann Arbor solidified the perception that the power dynamic in the rivalry had shifted. Three straight losses to Michigan, combined with no Big Ten championships since 2020, have only intensified the scrutiny.

“Ryan Day isn’t on the hot seat — yet,” Finebaum said. “But if he loses to Michigan again this year, especially with what’s at stake in the new Big Ten landscape, things could get uncomfortable in Columbus. Ohio State doesn’t settle for second place in this rivalry. Never has, never will.”

Finebaum also weighed in on Day’s demeanor and approach to leadership. “He’s a brilliant offensive mind, no question. But sometimes, you get the sense that Day is still trying to find his identity as the leader of this program. Urban Meyer brought an edge — a swagger. Jim Tressel brought poise and discipline. With Day, it’s a little more unclear. He’s intense, but is that intensity translating to dominance on the field where it matters most?”

That perception — fair or not — continues to fuel debate within the college football media and fan communities. Day is seen as one of the top young minds in the game, and his recruiting success has kept Ohio State stocked with elite talent year in and year out. However, Finebaum’s comments speak to a larger truth about coaching at a school like Ohio State: expectations are sky-high, and even the smallest shortcomings are magnified under a national spotlight.

Still, Finebaum was quick to caution against overreacting. “Look, people need to understand — Ryan Day is not some average coach who’s in over his head. He’s one of the brightest minds in the sport. He knows what’s expected of him. He just hasn’t quite crossed that final threshold yet. But the pressure? Oh, it’s building. And he knows it.”

Interestingly, Finebaum also compared Day’s current situation to that of coaches at other blueblood programs. “Look at Georgia and Kirby Smart. It took a few years, some heartbreaks, but eventually, he broke through. Nick Saban had to endure some tough losses early at Alabama before he became the king of the sport. Maybe Ryan Day is right there — just one turning point away. Or maybe he’s reached his ceiling. We’ll know soon enough.”

The arrival of USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington into the Big Ten only raises the stakes further. With the conference becoming more competitive and the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams, Day’s path to a national title becomes both more accessible and more difficult. The opportunity is there — but so is the pressure to deliver.

Finebaum concluded his remarks with a final word of caution. “Ohio State is a dream job, but it can also be a nightmare if you don’t win the right games. Michigan isn’t just another opponent. It’s the opponent. If Ryan Day doesn’t find a way to win that game, and soon, it won’t matter how many 11-win seasons he has. In Columbus, beating Michigan is everything.”

The sports world buzzed after those comments. While some called Finebaum’s take harsh, others applauded the honesty and recognized the validity of his concerns. In the cutthroat world of college football, perception often becomes reality — and right now, the perception is that Ryan Day needs a signature win to fully silence his critics.

In Columbus, the stakes have never been higher. The Buckeyes have the talent. They have the resources. They have one of the most passionate fan bases in all of sports. But the window to reestablish dominance is closing, and the next chapter in the rivalry with Michigan could define not only Ryan Day’s legacy, but the trajectory of the Ohio State program for years to come.

For now, Day remains focused and undeterred. His message to the team has been clear: control what you can, block out the noise, and earn it on the field. But come late November, when the Buckeyes once again line up across from Michigan, there will be no blocking out the noise. There will be no excuses. There will only be one question — can Ryan Day deliver the win that Ohio State demands?

Until then, Finebaum’s words hang heavy in the air like storm clouds over Ohio Stadium — a reminder that in the world of college football, especially in Columbus, greatness is not requested. It is required.