Ryan Day Discusses Playoff Matchup With Tennessee, Provides Updates On Buckeyes

COLUMBUS — Ohio State head coach Ryan Day met with reporters on Sunday to discuss the College Football Playoff bracket reveal and the news that the Buckeyes would be hosting Tennessee in two weeks. He was asked about the matchup, his football team, and more. The highlights of everything that was said can be found below.

On his initial reaction and message: This was one of the projections that they saw so they’ve been looking at Tennessee for a bit now. “We’re fired up.” Looking forward to playing in the first playoff game in Ohio Stadium. Night game, 8 o’clock, the guys are gonna be fired up. “Getting this first win will be critical in building momentum.”
This is different than bowl prep. This game will be here quickly.
Every team in this playoff has their own issues that they need to fix and address.
How have the leaders stepped up? It was a mixed bag last week because you don’t just move on, but the work has continued. There is no good that comes from looking back. There was great energy watching the reveal show. The guys want to get back on the field.
On the offensive line: “I know who’s going to be in the mix.” They’re looking at it and making sure it’s right. Luke Montgomery and Josh Padilla will be in the mix depending on how they play. Zen Michalski is not available right now.
Are guys entering the portal still playing in the playoffs? They are dealing with each situation on an individual basis. Some guys want to finish out their commitment, but some guys need to figure out what’s next for them. It’s not their fault, it’s just the timing of things. They will have some final decisions midweek on if anybody is playing who will be in the portal.
On the offensive line: “These guys have what it takes to make a run.” They have to help them though. “We’ve got to go put it on the field. There’s a lot of ways we can do it. We just have to go do it.”
You can’t over-correct on what went wrong against Michigan. Similar to what went wrong on defense against Oregon. Some of it is execution.
Last week was a rest week. This will they’ll get back at it. Finals will finish up, then next week is game week.
Will Howard is focused on what is next. He knows what needs to get done. He’s excited to get back on the field this week.
On having Tennessee up here: It’s exciting for the players, coaches, and fans. “Having a night game in the Horseshoe. Who knows what the weather will be. It’ll be great.” They will practice outside to make sure they are ready for the elements.
On the rankings and the priorities in the future for the committee: “It’s our responsibility to win the conference and when you win the conference, you’re in.” When you don’t do that, you put yourself at risk. Where the Buckeyes are right now, he’s not got a lot to say about it. Every year, there will be more uniformity and equity hopefully. In his opinion, the quality of wins should matter most.
How do you keep from looking ahead? “Oh jeesh, no…” They are focused on Tennessee. “You’ve got to win this game.” You gotta get started with a win. “That will be our focus and making sure we win this game.”
On the background in the NFL playoffs: There are some similarities now. You have to play your best football at the season. Once you get to this point, what has happened to this point has nothing to do with what is happening in the future. Everybody has seen wildcards win and build momentum. When you think about the opportunity that this team has, this would be an unbelievable accomplishment. Last week hurt, but this is now a four-game season.
Been spending some time with the offense. Whatever makes the most sense to win the game, that’s how the operation will work on offense.
They’ll have a clean game plan on offense by Tuesday and they’ll work through that in practice.
On Tennessee’s defense: Their front is very good. They have tremendous corners. They have stopped the run very well this season. They lead the SEC in a lot of defensive statistics. This will be one of the best defenses they face this year.
Is knowing the opponent the next step to getting over the loss to Michigan? Yes. Until you see it, you’re in a limbo. But now you’re in it and you know what you’re up against. “I’m telling you right now our guys are excited about it.” So here you go, this is an opportunity you have to jump on. Saturday night playoff game in the Horseshoe. An historic game. The fans will feed off the team and the team will feed off the fans.
On expectation for attrition: There are guys who want to finish out the season, but the number of guys that leave each year for the portal is around 15% or so. So that’s the expectation again. You adapt with it.
On Luke Montgomery and Josh Padilla: They have been practicing and working towards playing. They deserve an opportunity in these next two weeks to see if they can earn a role. Donovan Jackson will “probably” stick at left tackle. Maybe George Fitzpatrick could show something and they’d think about it, but right now Jackson will be at left tackle.
“We’re fired up to be at home.” It’s going to be a great atmosphere and they can’t wait to get going.
How do you feel about the top four conference champs getting byes: “I don’t know if I need to jump into all that right now.” It’s a giant question. I know the reasons why but “I do think they’re going to refine” it and come up with a better solution.
Do you like the fact that the conference championship games are still respected by the committee? “Yeah, I do.” Teams should not be penalized for losing a close game in a championship game.
The difference in the morale between this year and last year: Last year, this team didn’t have a chance to win a national championship. They do now. Last week was not fun for anybody but now they’re moving forward.
On OSU’s WR corps growing over the season: It starts with Emeka Egbuka. He’s a leader, a captain, a warrior. He’s the leader of that room. Then it goes to Carnell Tate who has had a very good season for them. The offense hasn’t had as many snaps as in the past, so his numbers aren’t as high as they’d normally be. He’s one of the best receivers in the nation. “And then there’s Jeremiah Smith.” “Jeremiah has exceeded expectations in year one, and now we’re going to need him to play his best football…” He doesn’t need to do anything more than he’s already doing.
With the new rules, you probably don’t need 40 points to win these games like you used to, but you’ve still got to score points. Defense wins championships and you want to control the clock, but you have to score points.
Are you more aggressive in the playoffs? You have to be that way. It’s how you coach. It’s how you approach it. “We’ve got to do that.” They have to play aggressively as well. “And we will.” You have to go after people in these games. Have to game plan the right way.
Were you surprised you ended up the 8th seed? Based on the excerpts he heard last week on teams that were no longer player wouldn’t be moving much, and the score of the Big Ten Championship Game, he wasn’t surprised. It is what it is. You still control your destiny. Day laid out the likely path last week to his team so they weren’t surprised either.
How much pressure is there to make a run in the playoffs? They have moved on from the Michigan game. They just want to play free and not worry about the consequences. “But we’re fired up to be at home too.” It’s an historic event “and our guys gotta have that approach.”
Oregon is waiting in round two: The focus is on Tennessee. There are some familiar teams in the bracket. That creates excitement. There’s nobody in the draw that you look at and say “we can’t beat.”
On Tennessee’s passing game: Josh Heupel is a very innovative coach. QB has a strong arm. The RB is All-SEC. The WRs are quick and talented. They spread you out. The OSU defense has been focused on being aligned correctly against Tennessee’s tempo and all-field stress.
This is two great teams, two great brands, and it’s the playoffs. “This is what we’ve got.”