Paul Finebaum predicts Ryan Day's firing after biggest showdown of Big Ten in 2024: "He ought to be gone" 

Ohio State Buckeyes coach Ryan Day is one of the most highlighted coaches in college football due to his dismal record (1-3) against arch-rivals, the Michigan Wolverines.

During an episode of ESPN's "First Take," analyst Paul Finebaum had a damning verdict on Day's record in the hostile fixture against Michigan and what he thinks is the inevitable conclusion should the Ohio State coach lose against them this year.

“Here’s the problem with talking about Ryan Day. You look at his record… it’s gaudy. Nobody has a record like him. Except you can’t choke the biggest game of the year,” Finebaum said.

“And to me, if he can’t beat Michigan this year when he’s got probably the best team in the country, along with Georgia, after Harbaugh leaves, after all those great players depart after a national championship, he ought to be gone. It’s as simple as that. That’s the biggest game of the year in the Big Ten.”

Ryan Day started his Ohio State tenure positively by beating Michigan 56-27 in 2019 before encountering the slide that has plagued his team so far, which is a far cry from the days of Urban Meyer (7-0), when the Buckeyes routinely defeated the Wolverines.

Ryan Day reveals Ohio State's revenge plan for 'The Game'

Last year's loss by Ryan Day to Jim Harbaugh's team allowed the Michigan Wolverines to complete an unbeaten championship-winning season, which riled Ohio State Buckeyes fans.

During an appearance on "Get Up," Day revealed that some of his players were out for revenge after losing last year's fixture against Michigan.

“One of the biggest struggles that we have is that when you lose a game like that, you have to wait a whole year to get back into that game,” Day said.

“We had about 12 guys that made the decision to come back. That was one of the big reasons why they decided to come back. … When you come to Ohio State, you’ve gotta win that game.”

Meanwhile, Paul Finebaum rubbished the claims by Ryan Day about wanting revenge for 'The Game,' asserting that it was familiar rhetoric at this point.

“I have no idea what he’s (Day) talking about. I mean he’s lost that game three years in a row and he’s talking about how his players are motivated to come back and play,” Finebaum said.

“Well, I heard that three years ago, two years ago and last year and you stunk in all three games. I mean what are you talking about?”

Ryan Day will find comfort in knowing that the Wolverines lost most of the team that helped them win the national championship last year to the 2024 NFL Draft. Additionally, coach Jim Harbaugh has been replaced by Sherrone Moore.