"Every year, there’s urgency": Ryan Day gets candid about pressure mounting on Ohio State ahead of 2024 season

The Ohio State Buckeyes are one of the premier college football programs in the country, and with that comes a lot of expectations. Ryan Day knows a thing or two about such, as he has been the head coach of the collegiate powerhouse since 2019.

On the first day of Ohio State's training camp, Day discussed with the reporters the reality that the Buckeyes face every year.

"Every year, there's urgency. You think it's not important? Try losing a game at Ohio State. I say it all the time. So, it is no different that way. But certainly, there are a lot of guys on the squad that want to be able to finish the year with some hardware, and that matters," said Day.

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How did Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes perform in 2023?

The Buckeyes started the 2023 college football season on an 11-game winning streak. They beat two top ten programs, Notre Dame and Penn State, along the way. These wins gave them a shot at the CFP National Championship playoffs.

However, the Buckeyes lost their 12th and most important game of the season to the Michigan Wolverines. It was a closely fought game, with the Jim Harbaugh-coached Wolverines winning by a mere six points. That loss was yet another tough pill to swallow for Day and the Buckeyes squad.

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What to expect in 2024?

The Buckeyes lost key players after the 2023 college football season. They lost Kyle McCord to the transfer portal and Marvin Harrison Jr. entered the NFL Draft. Hence, Day went on a recruiting mission—bringing in the likes of quarterback Will Howard, running back Quinshon Judkins and safety Caleb Downs.

This year, it is expected that the Buckeyes will have another impressive regular season. The franchise posted three consecutive 11-2 seasons, so it's normal to expect a similar scenario happening yet again.

However, for this season to be considered a success, they have to achieve the following: (1) defeat Michigan and (2) reach the CFP playoffs (or at least win a bowl game). Day knows the task ahead of him, as he aims to deliver Ohio State's first national title since 2014.