Nov 4, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day looks on during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Ohio State football coach Ryan Day is one of the winngest frontmen in the sport. Yet not much else matters in Columbus than Day’s recent 0-2 slide against the much-hated Michigan Wolverines.

Day, speaking on The Joel Klatt Show, revealed that he’s not taking “The Game” any more or less seriously than in the past. But he admitted the past two years stung.

“I don’t think any year you’re more or less motivated,” Day said. “I think every year, every team is a little bit different. But, to say that those games haven’t stung — of course, they have. Those are bad weeks in Columbus when you don’t win that game.”

“So, whether it’s the guys deciding to come back, whether it’s about make strong decisions in those moments, yeah, I can say you have to figure out what needs to get fixed to win that game,” Day said.

“That’s the bottom line and that’s what we did.”

Ohio State fans expect the Buckeyes to win a national title after an elite off-season in which they added depth and talent through the transfer portal and recruitment.

Day will have to beat Michigan to do that. If he doesn’t, well, this could be his last season in Columbus if so.