Ryan Day Leads Ohio State to 42-17 Playoff Victory over Tennessee

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day led the Buckeyes to a dramatic turnaround after a fourth consecutive loss to Michigan, guiding the team to a College Football Playoff national championship with statement wins over Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame. Despite having a roster full of highly touted players benefiting from lucrative NIL deals, Day emphasized that team culture and player development, rather than money or transfers, were the keys to their success. Day rejected the notion that Ohio State 'bought' its way to a title, noting that most contributors were recruited and developed by the program rather than assembled through the transfer portal. The Buckeyes' playoff run began with a dominant performance against Tennessee, which boosted team morale and set the tone for their championship push. Day now enjoys renewed support from the fanbase, but acknowledges that high expectations and pressure—especially regarding the Michigan rivalry—remain ever-present. The team is already focused on maintaining its culture and meeting the lofty standards set by their recent achievements.