Ohio State's Day: Losing to Michigan among 'worst things' in my life

Ahead of Saturday's rivalry game, No. 2 Ohio State head coach Ryan Day spoke candidly this week about the toll that losing to Michigan has taken on him.

Day, 45, has an impressive 66-9 record through seven seasons as the Buckeyes' coach. Yet his 1-3 mark against the school's top rival has served as motivation, and he described the losses as leaving a feeling that "eats at your core."

Day said the game is more about the players, specifically the seniors, who returned for the 2024 season. "It's the biggest game of the year, every year," he said.

"We know what's at stake. We've felt what it's like to not win this game, and it's bad," Day said. "It's one of the worst things that's happened to me in my life quite honestly.

"Other than losing my father and a few other things, it's quite honestly, for my family, the worst thing that's happened. So we can never have that happen again, ever. And that's been the approach all season."

Ohio State's players are well-aware of what "The Game" means to their coach and are focused on helping him get a win Saturday at home.

"No one deserves this win more than he does," defensive end Jack Sawyer said, according to Eleven Warriors' Chase Brown.

The Wolverines have won three consecutive games at the expense of the Buckeyes after their annual rivalry game was called off in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Michigan won last year's meeting 30-24 on its way to an unbeaten season and the national championship.

Ohio State (10-1) enters this weekend's showdown considered the favorite over the reigning champions. A Buckeyes victory would clinch a spot in the Big Ten championship game against Oregon.

Michigan (6-5) is attempting to end the regular season by extending its win streak over its rival to cap head coach Sherrone Moore's first season at the helm.