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What Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said during Sunday presser as Buckeyes prepare for B1G Championship Game
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When Ohio State had their rivalry game against Michigan canceled due to COVID-19 cases in the Wolverines program, questions about the Buckeyes playing in the B1G Title Game immediately were the talk of the league.
News quickly followed that despite playing only five games, Ohio State will be playing in the league’s championship game this Saturday against Northwestern.
While Ohio State didn’t play on Saturday, they still remained where they needed to be in the polls, as No. 1 Alabama was the only top four team to play, with Notre Dame and Clemson on bye-weeks and the Texas A&M game with Ole Miss canceled.
With the week ahead looking forward to the title game with the Wildcats, OSU head coach Ryan Day met with the media Sunday to talk about the game.
Ryan Day meeting with the media today as Big Ten Championship Game week begins.
Day on the idea of style points: “I don't think there's any other sport in the world when anything but winning matters … all we're going to do is worry about winning … one play at a time.” pic.twitter.com/F5EvE39hyH
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) December 13, 2020
Ryan Day on whether he expects everyone back for this week's game: “The last time I said anything I think I jinxed myself, so I'm going to plead the fifth.”
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) December 13, 2020
Ryan Day is confident a win in Saturday's Big Ten Championship Game will get Ohio State into the College Football Playoff: “If we play well, we move on. We know that in our heart … to be undefeated and win the Big Ten championship, that speaks for itself.”
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) December 13, 2020
Ryan Day says there's a protocol in place for the players who test positive for COVID-19. Once they clear their cardiac tests, they start by returning to lifting and running, then 30% of practice reps, 50% of practice reps, in a progression that takes place over about a week.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) December 13, 2020
Ryan Day says he saw the cancellations wear on his team early on, but now, he's seeing excitement about what they have the chance to accomplish this year.
“They have excitement in their eye, a great look in their eye.”
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) December 13, 2020
Ohio State was originally planning to hold a team meal during the Northwestern game on Saturday, but Ryan Day said the Buckeyes decided not to do that in the interest of social distancing.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) December 13, 2020
Ryan Day on Pete Werner: “I think he's playing as well as anybody in the country at linebacker … He's a man. He maybe didn't come in here that way, but he's a man.” Said Werner gave an “unbelievable” speech during last week's Senior Tackle.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) December 13, 2020
Ryan Day said he hasn't really had conversations with the seniors yet about whether or not they'll be back next year. Said those conversations could take place next week after this game.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) December 13, 2020
Scott Schultz covers Michigan State Football, along with Breaking News for B1G Football & Basketball for Saturday Tradition. He also serves as an Automotive News Editor & Writer, and Softball Writer elsewhere on the web. Follow him on Twitter @SRSchultz.