The Ohio State Buckeyes are one win away from a berth in the Big Ten Championship game in Indianapolis. To do so, though, would require the Buckeyes to knock off t heir long-time rival Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor.
But the Buckeyes may be facing a major concern i f their top receiving targets, Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith, can't go.
Day was brief about where both Tate and Smith are at and if he anticipates either playing.
"The only thing I'll say really is they are day-to-day, and the staff and those guys are working really hard to get ready to play next week," Day said.
Day said overall that the Buckeyes played well given the circumstances.
"So that was really well done. And they came out fresh, and they had a couple of things for us that were a little bit different coming off of the bye week," Day said. "But I thought our guys handled it, again, sort of business-like. So overall, that was well done. There's obviously things that if we think we're going to get away with fumbling the ball on the one-yard line or putting the ball on the turf, that's going to cost us a game. We know that can happen."
Day said regarding Tate and Smith that it would be a mistake to rush anything. It also gives the "next man up" mentality a different meaning.
"I felt like the guys had a really good week of work in terms of focus, and it was an opportunity for guys to step up in different ways," Day said. "And so whether it was defense special teams or on offense, nobody really flinched. Everyone's like, come on, let's go play. And I think that's been sort of the approach of this team and this coaching staff. So it'll be the same way this week, and those guys are going to fight like heck to get back on the field."
Nonetheless, though, the unofficial one-game season countdown is on.