Is Ryan Day on hot seat? Closer look at Ohio State Buckeyes' Week 7 game against Oregon Ducks

The then-No. 2-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes and then-No. 3-ranked Oregon Ducks faced off in a Week 7 Big Ten matchup that could have huge postseason implications. Both teams entered the matchup with 5-0 records, including a 2-0 mark in conference play.

The game lived up to the hype, rivaling the Week 5 meeting between the then-No. 1-ranked Georgia Bulldogs and then-No. 4-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide as an early contender for Game of the Year.

Things were closely contested throughout, with the Buckeyes' 14-6 second-quarter lead serving as the biggest margin between the two teams. Additionally, there were seven lead changes, beginning with the Ducks jumping ahead 15-14, and the two traded points from that point on.

Take a look at whether Ohio State coach Ryan Day is on the hot seat following the loss.

---

Is Ryan Day on the hot seat following the Ohio State Buckeyes Week 7 loss to the Oregon Ducks?

The Ohio State Buckeyes played a great game and would have improved to 6-0 if quarterback Will Howard slid a split second earlier after scrambling to the Oregon Ducks' 26-yard line as time expired. Instead, questions will begin to surface as the program once again fell short in a big game under Ryan Day.

Despite suffering a loss much earlier in the season than the program is accustomed to, Day's job security will likely be determined by how the Buckeyes finish the season. Following the 32-31 loss, Ohio State slipped just two spots in the latest AP Top 25 Poll and are ranked fourth in the nation.

They still have an inside track to a postseason spot, as the field will expand from four to 12 teams for the first time in 2024. The Buckeyes have matchups with the No. 3-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions, No. 16-ranked Indiana Hoosiers and No. 24-ranked Michigan Wolverines remaining on their schedule.

If they win out, they could find themselves in a rematch with the Ducks with the Big Ten title - and a first-round postseason bye - on the line. It remains unclear if winning the Big Ten Championship Game will be enough to save Day's job.

Instead, he may need to lead the program on a deep postseason run - or to a national title. While his future at the Ohio State Buckeyes could be up in the air, the Week 7 loss will likely not lead to any changes.