Ryan Day is reminding older Ohio State fans of John Cooper
COLUMBUS, Ohio (BVM) – Ohio State has now lost to its archrival, Michigan, for the second consecutive year, but this year’s letdown stings a bit more. Leading 20-17 at halftime, the Buckeyes were outscored by 25 points (28-3) in the second half before the Wolverines danced and planted a Michigan flag on the Block-O at midfield.
Flag planted. pic.twitter.com/vBHd0ICliQ
— Jordan Strack (@JordanStrack) November 26, 2022
The disappointing loss likely put an effective end to Ohio State’s College Football Playoff hopes (unless TCU or USC lose in their respective conference championship games as slight favorites). Two losses in two years to their hated rivals also has many Buckeyes’ fans questioning the long-term future of head coach Ryan Day.
Despite a 45-5 record (1-2 vs. Michigan) since taking over as Ohio State’s head coach in 2018, BVM Sports College Football Analyst Brad Edwards believes that Day is giving people flashbacks of former Buckeyes’ head coach John Cooper.
“The older Ohio State fans are having flashbacks to John Cooper; that’s what’s going on here,” Edwards said. “Even though his overall record was pretty good, Cooper was eventually run out of town because he couldn’t beat Michigan.”
Much like Day, Cooper compiled an excellent record (111-43-4) as Ohio State’s head coach from 1988-2000. However, Cooper is mostly remembered for his 2-10-1 record against Michigan, including extremely disappointing losses in 1993, 1995 and 1996. In each of those games, the Buckeyes entered undefeated and ranked in the top five before losing in upset fashion.
Although Day continues to have the Buckeyes near the top of polls while bringing in top recruiting classes, he’ll be mostly judged by what his team does against Michigan moving forward.
“It’s visions of John Cooper all over again and they don’t want this to end up being 13 years of losing to Michigan most of the time which is what happened with Cooper,” Edwards said.
