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Buckeyes take ‘March Madness’ approach to every game
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Ryan Day may be the head coach of Ohio State’s football team, but he’s using a basketball mindset to help his team be prepared for each and every week of the season. It seems to be working pretty well.
Despite having an off week, Day was still on 97.1 The Fan for his weekly radio show to talk about last week’s 38-7 win over Wisconsin and give a brief preview of Ohio State’s game against Maryland on Nov. 9. And that’s when he let it be known that his team has a basketball-like approach to every matchup on the schedule.
According to Bill Rabinowitz of the Columbus Dispatch, Day said that the Buckeyes approach each game like it’s March Madness. That is, one loss can end their dreams of winning a B1G or national title. He’s not wrong, either.
Day said the team approaches each game like it's March Madness knowing that one loss can end their dreams. Said he knows the bull's-eye on Buckeyes gets bigger every week.
— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) October 31, 2019
Last season, Ohio State finished with a 12-1 record and won the B1G for a second consecutive season. But a lopsided loss to Purdue kept the Buckeyes out of the College Football Playoff and having a chance to claim another national title.
Day is particularly cautious of this week’s matchup against Maryland. While the Terrapins haven’t looked good over the last five weeks of the season, they nearly upset the Buckeyes in College Park last season. Day isn’t taking that game lightly.
For now, though, Ohio State’s players will have a chance to relax for a few days before getting back on the practice field and preparing for Maryland. Day and the coaching staff will be on the recruiting trail.
When they return, it’ll be back to the March Madness mindset in Columbus.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB