Ohio State's Title Ambition
Ryan Day Frames 'Ohio Against the World' Mentality at Big Ten Media Days, Eyes National Title
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Day said, 'This year, based on the way our schedule looks and the way it's laid out, we're going to get some early feedback in these games. We're going to have to play well down the stretch in the fourth quarter.' He framed the season with an 'Ohio Against the World' mentality and pointed to players like Kenyatta Jackson and Payton Pierce who have seen the championship run and last year's near-miss.
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OSU's Day and the trio of players—Jaylen McClain, Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith—sat for an intimate, casual conversation with BTN’s Mike Hall, with the full discussions later posted on BTN's YouTube channel for deeper insight beyond the main-stage interviews.
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The program entered Chicago with notable roster and coaching context: 11 Buckeyes were drafted in the spring, and Chip Kelly, Northwestern’s offensive coordinator who led OSU’s offense during the 2014 national title run, will bring Northwestern to the Shoe on Nov. 14—adding a historical subplot as OSU rebuilds its new-look unit under coordinator Matt Patricia.
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The event also carried a competitive/spotlight feel between programs, with Oregon coach Dan Lanning sharing the platform alongside Day as both vie to set the tone at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day took center stage on Day 2 of Big Ten Media Days in Chicago, bringing stars Jaylen McClain, Julian Sayin, and Jeremiah Smith with him. Day arrived with a clear message: the Buckeyes are chasing a national title with an 'Ohio Against the World' mindset. Buckeyes Wire reported that OSU enters the season as the preseason Big Ten favorite and a serious College Football Playoff contender.
The event also featured a side rivalry of its own. Oregon coach Dan Lanning shared the spotlight with Day, with both coaches competing to set the tone for the new season. KVUE described the dynamic as a fight for attention between two of the conference's biggest programs.
Day Warns of a Brutal Schedule Ahead
Day did not sugarcoat what lies ahead for Ohio State. 'This year, based on the way our schedule looks and the way it's laid out, we're going to get some early feedback in these games,' he said. 'We're going to have to play well down the stretch in the fourth quarter.' The Buckeyes face a Week 2 road trip to Texas, then tough November tests against USC and Oregon.
Day also pointed to players like Kenyatta Jackson and Payton Pierce. Both have lived through the program's championship run and last year's near-miss. He said their experience will matter when the season gets hard. Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana also sit on the schedule, making the stretch run a serious challenge, according to CBS Sports.
Smith, Sayin, and McClain Steal the Show
Day brought three key players to Chicago: wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, quarterback Julian Sayin, and cornerback Jaylen McClain. All three sat down with BTN's Mike Hall for a casual, intimate conversation. Buckeyes Wire noted the full discussion was later posted on BTN's YouTube channel, giving fans a deeper look than the main-stage interviews offered.
Sayin's development drew particular attention. He steps in as Ohio State's starting quarterback under new offensive coordinator Matt Patricia. Smith, already one of college football's most electric receivers, is expected to be a centerpiece of the offense. Day made clear both players are ready to lead a unit that must prove itself after a coaching shake-up.
Chip Kelly Returns to Columbus With Northwestern
One of the season's most interesting subplots surfaced at media days. Chip Kelly, now Northwestern's offensive coordinator, will bring the Wildcats to Ohio Stadium on Nov. 14. Kelly ran Ohio State's offense during the 2014 national title season. His return adds a historic layer to what is already a loaded schedule, according to Buckeyes Wire.
Ohio State also entered Chicago with a notable roster milestone fresh in mind. Eleven Buckeyes were drafted in the spring NFL Draft. That number reflects the program's talent pipeline — but it also means Day must rebuild key depth spots heading into a year with high expectations and little margin for error.
Lanning and Day Both Arrive Ready to Lead the Big Ten
While Day dominated much of the conversation, Oregon's Dan Lanning was not content to play second fiddle. 13 News Now reported that both coaches used the Chicago stage to frame their programs as Big Ten contenders. Oregon, which reached the CFP last season, is viewed as Ohio State's biggest rival for conference supremacy in 2025.
Other coaches at the event included P.J. Fleck of Minnesota and representatives from Michigan State, UCLA, and Purdue. But the spotlight kept returning to Day and Lanning. The two programs are on a collision course for November, when they meet in what could decide the Big Ten title race.
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