Ohio State Fueled by Big Ten Title Loss as CFP Clash with Miami Looms
The sting of a Big Ten Championship loss to Indiana still lingers in Columbus - and Ohio State is using that pain as fuel.
With their College Football Playoff quarterfinal against Miami just days away in the Cotton Bowl, the Buckeyes are channeling the frustration of a game they believe slipped through their fingers. According to head coach Ryan Day, the energy around the program has shifted - and not in a subtle way.
“Everybody’s moving around with an edge,” Day said Monday. “Everybody’s pissed off.
Everybody wants to get it right and wants to win. Nobody likes to lose.
Nobody. And it's a game that we felt like we shouldn't have lost.”
That loss, which cost Ohio State the Big Ten crown, has become a rallying point. Day emphasized that the team has had to sit with that result for weeks - an experience that’s been anything but comfortable.
But discomfort has a way of sharpening focus. And as the Buckeyes prepare for a high-stakes showdown with the Hurricanes, the message is clear: don’t let it happen again.
Day to Take Over Play Calling Duties
Ohio State’s offense will have a different voice in the Cotton Bowl - and it’s coming from the top. Day confirmed he’ll be taking over play calling for the CFP matchup, a move that brings his offensive acumen directly back into the game-day mix.
While co-offensive coordinator Brian Hartline has called plays this season, his new role as head coach at South Florida means his focus will shift back to coaching receivers during the playoff run. Day said the play calling will still be collaborative - with Hartline, co-OC Keenan Bailey, quarterbacks coach Billy Fessler, and offensive line coach Tyler Bowen all playing key roles - but ultimately, the final call will come from Day himself.
“Everybody will be involved,” Day said. “But I’ll make the final decision.”
Right Guard Shuffle: Tshabola Out, VanSickle and Padilla Up
The Buckeyes will be without starting right guard Tegra Tshabola for the CFP, as he’s expected to miss “at least a few weeks” due to an undisclosed injury. In his absence, Gabe VanSickle and Joshua Padilla are both in line for playing time. Day expressed confidence in both young linemen stepping into the spotlight.
“We feel comfortable with both of those guys in the game,” he said.
With Miami’s defensive front posing a serious challenge - led by defensive line coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor - the Buckeyes’ O-line will need to be sharp. Day praised Taylor’s work and acknowledged the test ahead.
“It’s a huge challenge for our offensive line,” he said.
Jeremiah Smith’s Grit: Playing Through Pain Against Michigan
One of the more impressive behind-the-scenes stories of Ohio State’s season came in The Game - and it involves freshman standout Jeremiah Smith. The wide receiver battled through a quad strain in the lead-up to the Michigan game, and despite limited practice, found a way to suit up and contribute.
“If people really knew what he went through to get himself healthy to play in that game, and then play the way that he did without really practicing much that week, you’d be amazed,” Day said. “He willed himself to be healthy and to play.”
Day added that Carnell Tate also pushed through injury to play in that rivalry game, and now both receivers are back to full health ahead of the CFP.
No Excuses for Indiana Loss - Just Lessons
When asked whether anything in the lead-up to the Indiana game contributed to the loss, Day didn’t offer excuses - just accountability.
“We’re not in the business of making excuses or anything like that,” he said. “We just didn’t get the job done.”
But that doesn’t mean the loss is being brushed aside. Quite the opposite - it’s become a driving force. Day said the defeat has led to long days, early mornings, and an unrelenting focus on improvement.
“You have to sit on that loss for a while, and that’s not fun,” he said. “But it does wake us up early in the morning and keep us here late at night, making sure that we’re doing everything we can, because the issues are always there.”
Looking Ahead to Miami
As for the Hurricanes, Day isn’t underestimating the challenge. He described Miami as “really talented” and noted that their roster is stacked with playmakers at every level.
“They’ve got players all over the field,” he said.
With the CFP now just over a week away, Ohio State is locked in - motivated by a loss that still stings, led by a head coach taking the reins of the offense, and backed by a locker room that’s hungry to make things right.
The Buckeyes know what’s at stake. And this time, they’re determined not to let it slip away.