Ryan Day Talks 2025 Goals: National Title and Continuing Dominance in the Big Ten
As Ohio State heads into the 2025 season, head coach Ryan Day has made it clear that his goals for the Buckeyes are lofty and focused on one ultimate prize: a national title. In a recent press conference, Day outlined his expectations for the upcoming season, stressing the importance of maintaining the program’s dominance within the Big Ten while also making a strong push for a national championship.
Day, who has already led Ohio State to multiple College Football Playoff appearances and one national championship game, is well aware of the high standards that come with coaching one of college football’s most storied programs. Since taking over in 2019, Day has continued the legacy of success established under Urban Meyer, but he understands that the next step for the Buckeyes is to capture that elusive national title.
Aiming for the National Championship
“The goal has always been the same—win a national championship,” Day said. “Ohio State is one of the top programs in college football, and we’re here to compete for championships every year. We have the talent, the resources, and the support to get there. Now, it’s about putting it all together on the field when it counts.”
Day’s comments come after a few years of near-misses, including heartbreaking losses in the College Football Playoff and the 2024 season’s dramatic defeat to Michigan in the Big Ten Championship Game. While Ohio State remains one of the elite teams in college football, Day is determined to take the program over the final hurdle and claim the program’s first national title since the 2014 season.
To do that, Day knows the Buckeyes will need to be at their best in all aspects—offensively, defensively, and on special teams. With a potent offense led by emerging stars at quarterback and running back, along with a revamped defense under new coordinator Jim Knowles, Day believes Ohio State has all the pieces needed to challenge for a national title.
Dominating the Big Ten
While a national championship remains the ultimate goal, Day is equally focused on continuing Ohio State’s dominance in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes have been the class of the conference for much of the last decade, but in 2024, Michigan ended a two-decade drought by defeating Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game. Day knows that Ohio State must reassert its control over the conference and establish itself as the team to beat again.
“Michigan is a great team, and they’ve had some success in recent years, but Ohio State is still the team everyone is gunning for in the Big Ten,” Day said. “We respect the other teams in the conference, but our focus is always on getting better every single day. We know what it takes to be champions, and we plan on doing it again.”
In 2025, Ohio State will once again be a favorite to win the Big Ten, but Day also understands that the conference is increasingly competitive, with teams like Penn State, Wisconsin, and Michigan all striving to challenge the Buckeyes for supremacy. To continue dominating the Big Ten, Ohio State must maintain its consistency and execute at a high level week in and week out.
Maximizing Talent and Depth
One of Day’s key goals for the 2025 season is to ensure that Ohio State’s talent, which remains among the best in the country, reaches its full potential. The Buckeyes are loaded with young, dynamic players, especially on offense, where quarterback Devin Brown, running back J.J. Johnson, and a talented group of wide receivers are all expected to make an immediate impact.
Day also acknowledged the importance of depth, especially in a season where the grind of a full schedule can test a team’s endurance. “We have depth in all areas, and that’s something we need to rely on,” Day explained. “In a season like this, where every game is a battle, we need to have guys step up, and our depth will be key in helping us maintain our level of play over the course of the season.”
The defense, under the leadership of new coordinator Jim Knowles, is another area where Day sees great potential for growth. Knowles’ aggressive, attacking scheme is expected to complement the Buckeyes’ high-powered offense, and Day believes that the defense can take a major step forward in 2025.
Developing Leaders and Handling Pressure
A critical aspect of Ohio State’s championship aspirations is leadership, and Day emphasized the need for key players to step into leadership roles. Players like Brown, Johnson, linebacker C.J. Hicks, and defensive stars Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau will be counted on to guide the team both on and off the field.
“Leadership is going to be huge for us this season,” Day said. “We have a lot of young players, but we also have experienced players who’ve been in big games. It’s about finding that balance and making sure we have guys who can step up when the pressure is on.”
Day also acknowledged that the journey to a national title is filled with challenges and adversity. Ohio State will need to stay focused, weathering the inevitable ups and downs of a long season. “It’s about how we respond when adversity hits,” Day added. “Champions don’t just perform when things are easy—they perform when it’s tough, and that’s what we’re preparing for.”
Conclusion
As the 2025 season approaches, Ryan Day’s goals for Ohio State are clear: win a national championship and continue to dominate the Big Ten. With a mix of talented players, a revamped defense, and an offense capable of lighting up the scoreboard, the Buckeyes are poised to make another run at the top. For Day, the journey is just as important as the destination, but in 2025, the ultimate destinat
ion remains the same: a national title.
Leave a Reply