Head coach Ryan Day stands alongside Buckeye gamers following No. 2 Ohio State’s 13-10 loss to Michigan, Nov. 30, 2024, at Ohio Stadium. Credit score: Carly Damon | Former Asst. Picture Editor
The Recreation is simply 4 days away.
Custom, satisfaction, post-season implications and for Ohio State, ending a four-game dropping streak to Michigan, are all at stake when the Buckeyes journey to Ann Arbor on Saturday to face its bitter rival.
Head coach Ryan Day is concentrated on this yr’s matchup quite than on current historical past.
“What’s occurred prior to now doesn’t matter both, it doesn’t,” Day mentioned. “You possibly can study from it, however let’s simply have an excellent Tuesday and put together one of the best we are able to to go win this recreation on Saturday. That’s the place the main target needs to be and we are able to’t let the rest distract us.”
Listed here are the takeaways from Day’s Tuesday press convention on the Woody Hayes Athletic Middle.
Smith and Tate’s availability
As soon as once more, the well being of huge receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate stays unclear for the Buckeyes.
Day didn’t present an official replace on whether or not both of Ohio State’s prime wideouts would play on Saturday.
“They’re doing all the pieces they’ll to play within the recreation, we’ll see how at the moment goes, however they’re working actually actually onerous to get again on the sector,” Day mentioned.
On the season, Smith averages 90.2 receiving yards and Tate averages 88.9 receiving yards. However within the Buckeyes’ 42-9 win over Rutgers final week, Ohio State’s huge receivers mixed for 4 catches for 33 yards and a landing.
“They’ll be getting bodily reps and psychological reps all week in preparation, these guys have performed a number of soccer,” Day mentioned. “Ultimately we’ll look to the medical employees to provide us the thumbs up or not.”
Dealing with emotion in rivalry video games
It’s no secret that The Recreation brings out feelings. It was seen final yr after Michigan’s 13-10 victory in Columbus, the place tempers flared in a post-game scrum. Every time the scarlet and grey and maize and blue sq. off, the anticipation for the groups and followers alike mounts.
Add on that Ohio State hasn’t crushed the Wolverines in 2,191 days, and Day understands that the expectation for the Buckeyes to win has risen.
“They understand how essential that is, they know that that is our No. 1 purpose yearly to win this recreation,” Day mentioned.
Day mentioned dealing with stress in opposition to the Buckeyes’ greatest rival is essential within the final result of the sport.
“[If] you begin to recover from emotional, you can begin to get distracted and get your self out of whack and never do your job,” Day mentioned.
Sayin’s preparation
Redshirt-freshman quarterback Julian Sayin will likely be making his first street begin in opposition to a ranked opponent Saturday.
Day described that he’s in search of composure from Ohio State’s sign caller within the Massive Home.
“He’s acquired to speak, deal with the surroundings and what comes with it,” Day mentioned. “He’s proven composure this yr, however now he’s acquired to be at his finest.”
Day emphasised that the sport’s final result is not going to be decided solely by Sayin’s efficiency, urging that it’s going to take an entire staff effort.
“It’s not simply the quarterback, it’s everyone concerned and that’s what all of us want to know,” Day mentioned. “I feel typically once we look again we wish to level the finger at one factor or one other but it surely’s everyone. That’s why once we play in matchup video games like this, it may come down to 1 play so everyone in your complete constructing needs to be on level this week.”
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