COLUMBUS, Ohio — The postgame scene at Ohio State was a stark contrast to the chaos that unfolded just three weeks prior. Back then, the Buckeyes had lost to Michigan for the fourth consecutive time, and the scene was marked by screaming players, belligerent fans, and a wounded team. But on Saturday night, Ohio State dominated Tennessee in a College Football Playoff game, winning 42-17 and vaulting themselves back into the national championship conversation.
Coach Ryan Day, who was under intense pressure following the loss to Michigan, had a triumphant moment as he watched his team play with confidence and precision. The Buckeyes opened as betting favorites against No. 1 Oregon in the quarterfinals, a rematch of their instant classic game earlier in the season.
To get to this point, Ohio State had to address several issues, including shoring up their interior offensive line, rediscovering their aggressiveness in the passing game, and invigorating their pass rush. Day also had to reignite Ohio Stadium, where fans had been reveling in the possibility of his dismissal.
But on Saturday night, Day and his coaching staff authored and executed their finest performance of the season. Quarterback Will Howard threw for 311 yards on 24-of-29 passing, and the Buckeyes’ offense was unstoppable. The team’s lead swelled to 32 points early in the fourth quarter, and by the time the game was over, the Tennessee fans who had invaded Ohio Stadium were fleeing in droves.
The win was a testament to the team’s ability to respond to adversity, and Day was proud of the way his players handled the pressure. “I think it says a lot about who our guys are that we were able to respond like that in a big way,” he said.
The Buckeyes’ victory was also a testament to the team’s focus on the present moment. As Day noted, “To win it all, you’ve got to win the first one. That’s really the whole team’s focus.” The team’s ability to stay focused on the task at hand allowed them to put aside the distractions and concerns that had plagued them earlier in the season.
For Day, the win was a personal vindication. He had faced intense pressure and criticism following the loss to Michigan, but on Saturday night, he was able to bask in the glory of a big win. As he hugged his wife and kids, he knew that he had earned the right to smile.