Ryan Day’s Ohio State program has reloaded in elite fashion in what is shaping up to be a make-or-break season. With that type of potential comes major ramifications if things go south.

ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg recently dropped his offseason list of coaches on the hot seat. While Day avoided the hot seat label entering the 2024 season, Rittenberg felt it worthwhile to put Day in the category of “keep an eye on.”

Rittenberg cited Day’s 56-8 as the reason to keep the head coach off the hot seat, but it’s understandable the pressure is rising in Columbus. That comes with the territory when 3 of Day’s 8 losses have come to archrival Michigan, and 2 of those losses cost the Buckeyes trips to the College Football Playoff and a shot at a national title.

Entering 2024, Day will have a new AD (Ross Bjork) in charge this fall, and Michigan will likely be at its lowest point since the 2020 season with Jim Harbaugh departing. Another loss in The Game — accompanied by an 0-2 record vs. Sherrone Moore — could be a fatal blow after reloading the talent level via the portal.

Here’s what Rittenberg had to say about Day’s coaching seat:

I’m not going to put a coach with a 56-8 overall record squarely on the hot seat. But after three straight losses to Michigan, no national championships, a new athletic director taking over (Ross Bjork) and Ohio State’s all-in approach with personnel this winter, Day faces genuine pressure to win big in 2024. The scenarios are fascinating: What if he beats Michigan but loses early in the CFP? What if he loses to Michigan and makes a deep CFP run? A fourth straight loss to the Wolverines — especially against a likely weakened Michigan team, and once again at Ohio Stadium — would be difficult for Day to overcome, despite all of the clear accomplishments he has had with the Buckeyes.

Heading into the season, the Buckeyes will be among the favorites in the national championship odds. Ohio State will also look to be a force in the new-look B1G with divisions now a thing of the past. Fans can track the odds and trends all season long by using Tradition’s Caesars Ohio promo code.