Paul Finebaum: Ryan Day NEEDS to beat Michigan football in 2023

It has been three seasons since Ohio State last claimed a victory over Michigan football. While the two did not see game action in 2020 due to the pandemic, the Wolverines have claimed two-straight blowout wins over Ryan Day and his Buckeyes — the first coming as a 42-27 victory in Ann Arbor, and the second being a 45-23 win in Columbus. Now, heading into the 2023 season, no team needs a rivalry win more than OSU, who must play the Wolverines in Ann Arbor this fall.

Does Ryan Day need a win over Michigan football?

Ohio State had a good thing going against Michigan football in years past — the Buckeyes were undefeated against Michigan from 2011-2020, yet suffered a horrific 42-27 loss at the hands of the Wolverines in 2021. While Michigan football went on to win the Big Ten title and appear in the College Football Playoff, Ohio State appeared in a regular New Year’s Six bowl game, finishing with an 11-2 record.

While Ohio State did manage to make the playoff last year, Michigan football laid down a second-straight beating, winning by 22 points in Columbus before claiming another conference championship and appearing in the College Football Playoff once again.

Paul Finebaum says Ohio State needs to re-gain control over the narrative

According to analyst Paul Finebaum, Ryan Day is not on the hot seat just yet, but he is getting close and needs a win over Michigan to “control the narrative” surrounding his program.

“(The Michigan game) does matter,” Finebaum said. “And I frankly think they are going to exceed even the expectations that they had this year for all the reasons that you’ve laid out. But you can’t really move a program forward at a level like Ryan Day has done and lose again to your biggest opponent.

“By the way I’m not suggesting he gets fired. That is absurd. I mean, what is he, still in single-digit losses? He’s played for a championship and been to the playoffs a few times.

“You and I don’t control the narratives out there and we can help the narrative,” Finebaum concluded. “You can’t give a take anymore about Ryan Day without somebody misinterpreting it, but I’m an adult, I get it. I brought it up but nobody forced me to use the word hot seat. But it won’t be the last time you hear that take.”

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