Our coaches are merely fine. What I don’t understand is what they are doing to give us an edge. When Julian Sayin went down, all I could think about was the Missouri bowl game and how dysfunctional our offense became as if it never occurred to coaches that we might have to play backup quarterbacks.
The strategic advantage at Ohio State should come just as much from its coaching staff as it does its talent. Right now this staff is middle of the Big Ten.
Thanks for all of the good work BAD. Your podcasts are like group therapy during this rough patch. I’ve been a Buckeye fan since I moved to the great state of Ohio in 1993. My 15 yo daughter has been indoctrinated and is a total diehard. These are certainly the darkest days she has seen. Perhaps someone has mentioned this, but the Bucks are
4-5 in their last nine games against P4 opponents. This is absolute malpractice by Day. I’m not sure he fully understands the scope of the problem (talent, NIL/roster management, player development, and scheme) and therefore can’t formulate a proper solution. This is the source of my greatest agita. I think there is just too much wrong for him to fix and we are now treading water until he fails enough that he is fired and we hire a new coach. And unfortunately, my faith in Ross Bjork to make a good hire is even less than my faith in Day righting the ship. Looks like a lot of bourbon and BAD in my near future.
The 29% voting that this is the lowest point in their fandom must be pretty young. They weren’t around for the many dark years from 1977 to 2000. The past 25 years of OSU football have been the golden years, so this season really stands out.
On the second to last question, I voted no. I want to explain my note. I voted no because the three week stretch from the loss to Michigan in 2024 to our win against Tennessee in December was the worst. Yes I understand, we made the playoff and still had a chance and during those three weeks I had no hope that the team could do anything and felt overwhelmingly furious at the fumbling of Ohio State talent. During that three week period of time I also felt incredibly hopeless regarding the leadership of Ohio State football.
Lowest moment is the only one where I had to pause to think. Not sure if it's a product of where I am in life vs prior seasons but that Sparty Zeke game with the damn kicker celebrating is up there. So is that Clemson shut out game and then obviously the recent TTUN losing streak.
The “NFL style” program only works if you have an NFL type roster. His inability to adjust to his personnel at this point in his career is mind blowing. Ever since “born on 3rd” he’s been trying to prove everyone wrong, instead of being the “hang a hundred” head coach that we need.
We just lost a large number of guys to the NFL, including several first rounders, the last two years. So I think your comments about the inability to adjust are a little strong. Is it a down year talent wise? Of course but perhaps some adjustments from a recruiting standpoint are really what’s needed in this NIL era.
I am absoltutely shocked that the QB situation is currently at only 17% as the thing fans are most interested in.
While there were issues long before Sayin went out, the QB situation is the front-facing issue of this team and this program.
The way Day and staff have mishandled the QB situation is representative of how they have mishandled the program in general.
Sub-par recruiting, below average (maybe well below average) development, an inability to get a backup prepared (this is not a one time thing for anyone who recalls the Missouri Cotton Bowl.)
To me, this is THE question of our time right now.
I’ve been blessed to be a fan of a team that has been very good to elite for most of my adult life. This is why it’s been so hard and disappointing to watch this team this year. The Coaching staff let us all down. The roster construction, the lack of passion we see on the field, in game management/play calling is just something I’ve never seen before. Day needs to prove he can pull out of this and right the ship or else he needs to go before this snowballs into multiple seasons. Which frankly I don’t have any confidence that he can. Back in 2024 it took THE players to step up and right the ship.
First of all, Bill and Doug are the goats. My biggest problem with Ryan Day is that in games that matter I forget that he is calling the shots. When I watch Georgia, Oregon, Bama (with Saban), and Indiana, the head coach of each of those teams are in the front of my mind. I am always painfully aware of the fact that that whether it’s Cig, Kirby, Lanning, or Saban, they are calling the shots and they are out for blood. I don’t get that feeling when I watch the buckeyes. Even when we played Georgia or Tennessee, or Oregon in the playoffs, it felt like happenstance. Like he was just having a good day/week. With those other guys they feel more like a constant. Not sure if any of that makes sense but it’s what I’m thinking about during those games. Some coaches feel like a 12th man on the field with how impactful they are, and Ryan just doesn’t feel like that.
I didn’t answer question 1 because I am more disappointed than angry. Much of this was foreseeable and yet nothing was done. For example, since COVID we have been asking is the o-line good enough? The irony, of course, is 2024 was the only year we had multiple portal guys to address that issue. They got hurt, and it turned out the recruited guys were good enough. But they aren’t now and haven’t been since. Also, I didn’t answer your question about questions because I think the defense is the biggest problem at this moment. The offense goes through spurts of functionality, the defense is constantly hampered by misalignments, an inability to tackle, and most obviously an inability to pressure the opposing quarterback.
Ryan Day is the CEO of Ohio State football and the QB is who he trusts to manage day to day operations. The fact that he went in to this year with the plan of a freshman as a backup QB is almost enough to remove him as CEO. We are NOT michigan. They punted the entire 2025 season and most of this year trying to see if their 5 star QB could play at the college level. Ohio State fans would never stand for that. Similarly, it is unacceptable for Ohio State to have to punt a season because the starter goes down. Injuries happen. If TSC is not the guy, then plans needed to be made last year to get a serviceable backup for Sayin should he get hurt. Complete failure by the staff in not doing so.
Before the season, we looked at this monster of a schedule and said “wow. This is the closest 9-3 is to becoming a reality.” If someone said: we’re looking at 3 losses to: #2, #5, and #14 (preseason rankings - these are talented rosters not reflective of record). Two of which were on the road at night — and two were without our Heisman finalist QB who set the NCAA record for accuracy … EVERYONE would have been like “damn. Tough break”. Now we’re living it …and the reality is: we’re a spoiled fanbase that just can’t handle. Things need fixed, adjustments need made… no question. But try and hold it together people.
Plus. We need USC to beat Indiana. UCLA to beat USC. And Oregon to lose once the rest of the way. And we’re in Indy if we finish 3-0. What we need to have happen is less crazy than what has happened so I say be foolishly optimistic and drink to ol Ohio til you wobble in your shoes.
I think there are questions that we want answered and there are questions that Day will actually entertain. It would be better to get answers than non-answer coach speak. For example Doug asked an excellent question after the game but Day did not give much of an answer. If Bill and Doug can find the balance between asking the most pertinent questions that will have a shot at a real answer I think that would be best. But I would love to hear some kind of question about the coaches performance (scheme, feel for game, basic competency) and personnel decisions (Pantoni, not being able to afford OSU-quality players in the portal or as recruits) and if there should be real accountability (not lip service) for the complete failures in the areas that are blatantly obvious.
Same. Everything else can be dodged pretty easily with coach speak, I feel like this is the only one where there’s a telling answer. Even if he says “we’re evaluating all options” or the Kyle Whittingham “it’s not something that’s infinite”… both give us an indication of where things are headed.
Our coaches are merely fine. What I don’t understand is what they are doing to give us an edge. When Julian Sayin went down, all I could think about was the Missouri bowl game and how dysfunctional our offense became as if it never occurred to coaches that we might have to play backup quarterbacks.
The strategic advantage at Ohio State should come just as much from its coaching staff as it does its talent. Right now this staff is middle of the Big Ten.
Thanks for all of the good work BAD. Your podcasts are like group therapy during this rough patch. I’ve been a Buckeye fan since I moved to the great state of Ohio in 1993. My 15 yo daughter has been indoctrinated and is a total diehard. These are certainly the darkest days she has seen. Perhaps someone has mentioned this, but the Bucks are
4-5 in their last nine games against P4 opponents. This is absolute malpractice by Day. I’m not sure he fully understands the scope of the problem (talent, NIL/roster management, player development, and scheme) and therefore can’t formulate a proper solution. This is the source of my greatest agita. I think there is just too much wrong for him to fix and we are now treading water until he fails enough that he is fired and we hire a new coach. And unfortunately, my faith in Ross Bjork to make a good hire is even less than my faith in Day righting the ship. Looks like a lot of bourbon and BAD in my near future.
Worst loss —1969 Michigan. I’m still traumatized
1976 Rose Bowl. Lost to UCLA after we beat them earlier in the year. I was 11 and still remember crying about it
1997 Michigan St and 2019 Clemson
Mine is the 1974 loss to Michigan State. I was 11 and can remember crying when Brian Baschnagel was supposedly stopped short of the goal line.
The 29% voting that this is the lowest point in their fandom must be pretty young. They weren’t around for the many dark years from 1977 to 2000. The past 25 years of OSU football have been the golden years, so this season really stands out.
On the second to last question, I voted no. I want to explain my note. I voted no because the three week stretch from the loss to Michigan in 2024 to our win against Tennessee in December was the worst. Yes I understand, we made the playoff and still had a chance and during those three weeks I had no hope that the team could do anything and felt overwhelmingly furious at the fumbling of Ohio State talent. During that three week period of time I also felt incredibly hopeless regarding the leadership of Ohio State football.
Same
Yep. Sick to my stomach after that loss. Couldn’t watch another down of football that weekend
I’m sad for JJ
Lowest moment is the only one where I had to pause to think. Not sure if it's a product of where I am in life vs prior seasons but that Sparty Zeke game with the damn kicker celebrating is up there. So is that Clemson shut out game and then obviously the recent TTUN losing streak.
The “NFL style” program only works if you have an NFL type roster. His inability to adjust to his personnel at this point in his career is mind blowing. Ever since “born on 3rd” he’s been trying to prove everyone wrong, instead of being the “hang a hundred” head coach that we need.
We just lost a large number of guys to the NFL, including several first rounders, the last two years. So I think your comments about the inability to adjust are a little strong. Is it a down year talent wise? Of course but perhaps some adjustments from a recruiting standpoint are really what’s needed in this NIL era.
I am absoltutely shocked that the QB situation is currently at only 17% as the thing fans are most interested in.
While there were issues long before Sayin went out, the QB situation is the front-facing issue of this team and this program.
The way Day and staff have mishandled the QB situation is representative of how they have mishandled the program in general.
Sub-par recruiting, below average (maybe well below average) development, an inability to get a backup prepared (this is not a one time thing for anyone who recalls the Missouri Cotton Bowl.)
To me, this is THE question of our time right now.
I’ve been blessed to be a fan of a team that has been very good to elite for most of my adult life. This is why it’s been so hard and disappointing to watch this team this year. The Coaching staff let us all down. The roster construction, the lack of passion we see on the field, in game management/play calling is just something I’ve never seen before. Day needs to prove he can pull out of this and right the ship or else he needs to go before this snowballs into multiple seasons. Which frankly I don’t have any confidence that he can. Back in 2024 it took THE players to step up and right the ship.
First of all, Bill and Doug are the goats. My biggest problem with Ryan Day is that in games that matter I forget that he is calling the shots. When I watch Georgia, Oregon, Bama (with Saban), and Indiana, the head coach of each of those teams are in the front of my mind. I am always painfully aware of the fact that that whether it’s Cig, Kirby, Lanning, or Saban, they are calling the shots and they are out for blood. I don’t get that feeling when I watch the buckeyes. Even when we played Georgia or Tennessee, or Oregon in the playoffs, it felt like happenstance. Like he was just having a good day/week. With those other guys they feel more like a constant. Not sure if any of that makes sense but it’s what I’m thinking about during those games. Some coaches feel like a 12th man on the field with how impactful they are, and Ryan just doesn’t feel like that.
I didn’t answer question 1 because I am more disappointed than angry. Much of this was foreseeable and yet nothing was done. For example, since COVID we have been asking is the o-line good enough? The irony, of course, is 2024 was the only year we had multiple portal guys to address that issue. They got hurt, and it turned out the recruited guys were good enough. But they aren’t now and haven’t been since. Also, I didn’t answer your question about questions because I think the defense is the biggest problem at this moment. The offense goes through spurts of functionality, the defense is constantly hampered by misalignments, an inability to tackle, and most obviously an inability to pressure the opposing quarterback.
Same here
Ryan Day is the CEO of Ohio State football and the QB is who he trusts to manage day to day operations. The fact that he went in to this year with the plan of a freshman as a backup QB is almost enough to remove him as CEO. We are NOT michigan. They punted the entire 2025 season and most of this year trying to see if their 5 star QB could play at the college level. Ohio State fans would never stand for that. Similarly, it is unacceptable for Ohio State to have to punt a season because the starter goes down. Injuries happen. If TSC is not the guy, then plans needed to be made last year to get a serviceable backup for Sayin should he get hurt. Complete failure by the staff in not doing so.
Perspective is important.
Before the season, we looked at this monster of a schedule and said “wow. This is the closest 9-3 is to becoming a reality.” If someone said: we’re looking at 3 losses to: #2, #5, and #14 (preseason rankings - these are talented rosters not reflective of record). Two of which were on the road at night — and two were without our Heisman finalist QB who set the NCAA record for accuracy … EVERYONE would have been like “damn. Tough break”. Now we’re living it …and the reality is: we’re a spoiled fanbase that just can’t handle. Things need fixed, adjustments need made… no question. But try and hold it together people.
Plus. We need USC to beat Indiana. UCLA to beat USC. And Oregon to lose once the rest of the way. And we’re in Indy if we finish 3-0. What we need to have happen is less crazy than what has happened so I say be foolishly optimistic and drink to ol Ohio til you wobble in your shoes.
Well said…we lost a lot of talent last year and in the world of NIL and the portal..college football is becoming more like the NFL in terms of parity.
I think there are questions that we want answered and there are questions that Day will actually entertain. It would be better to get answers than non-answer coach speak. For example Doug asked an excellent question after the game but Day did not give much of an answer. If Bill and Doug can find the balance between asking the most pertinent questions that will have a shot at a real answer I think that would be best. But I would love to hear some kind of question about the coaches performance (scheme, feel for game, basic competency) and personnel decisions (Pantoni, not being able to afford OSU-quality players in the portal or as recruits) and if there should be real accountability (not lip service) for the complete failures in the areas that are blatantly obvious.
Agreed.
This where I feel QB-focused lines of questions are the best.
Same. Everything else can be dodged pretty easily with coach speak, I feel like this is the only one where there’s a telling answer. Even if he says “we’re evaluating all options” or the Kyle Whittingham “it’s not something that’s infinite”… both give us an indication of where things are headed.