Ryan Day’s Challenges Against Michigan: Key Numbers Revealed
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day approaches a pivotal clash this weekend against Michigan, a rivalry that has not favored him in recent years. This matchup marks a significant milestone as both teams are ranked, with Ohio State positioned as No. 1 and Michigan as No. 18.
Rivalry Overview: Ohio State vs. Michigan
The upcoming game will be the 50th occasion since the AP Poll began in 1936 that both teams are ranked during “The Game.” Historically, Michigan holds a slight advantage in ranked matchups with a record of 23 wins, 22 losses, and 4 ties. However, their performance against No. 1 ranked teams tells a different story.
Michigan’s Struggles Against Top Teams
- Overall record against AP No. 1 opponents: 3 wins, 18 losses, and 1 tie.
- Record against Ohio State as the top-ranked team: 1 win, 3 losses, and 1 tie.
- Current losing streak against AP No. 1 opponents: 9 games.
Ryan Day’s Challenges and Key Statistics
Despite Ohio State’s national championship success under Day, he faces criticism for his record against Michigan. To date, he has lost four consecutive games to the Wolverines. This unfavorable trend is concerning, especially considering that the Buckeyes had been 21-point favorites in the last meeting, the largest spread since 1978, yet suffered a narrow 13-10 defeat.
Key Numbers Highlighting Day’s Struggles
- 0: Sacks recorded by Ohio State in two of the last four games against Michigan (2021 and 2024).
- 4: Total sacks by the Buckeyes in the rivalry during the Day era.
- 81-10: Ryan Day’s overall record as head coach, with only a 1-4 record against Michigan.
- 52: Fewer total yards per game for Ohio State against Michigan compared to other opponents.
- 112: Additional total yards allowed per game against Michigan since 2019 versus other teams.
Offensive and Defensive Discrepancies
Ohio State’s offensive performance dramatically declines when facing Michigan. They average 52 fewer total yards, 66 fewer rushing yards, and a decrease of 1 yard per play. Against the Wolverines, the Buckeyes scored only 10 points last year—their lowest in the rivalry since 1996 and the fewest since 2011.
Conversely, the Buckeyes’ defense allows significantly more yards against Michigan, averaging 397 yards per game compared to 285.4 against other opponents. The stark contrast in statistics illustrates the challenges Ryan Day faces as he aims to extend Ohio State’s undefeated record while overcoming past disappointments.
