The Ohio State Buckeyes are attempting to remain at the top of college football, the Big Ten and potentially rewrite a wrong in a rematch against the Indiana Hoosiers.
Before all of those dreams can come true, though, they must knock off the Miami Hurricanes New Year's Eve in the Cotton Bowl.
Coach Ryan Day means business, reminding reporters Monday of his team's clear objective.
"Everyone is pissed off," Day said of the Buckeyes no longer being unbeaten. "Everybody wants to get it right and wants to win. Nobody likes to lose. Nobody. It's a game that we felt like we shouldn't have lost."
The 13-10 defeat was the Buckeyes' first loss in over a year, resulting in Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza bringing home the school's first-ever Heisman Trophy instead of Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin finally seeing his day come.
These events are now in the rear-view-mirror, but for Day, it serves as a nugget to not let the cycle repeat itself.
Nonetheless, though, the Buckeyes are ready for what comes next regardless of circumstance.
"You have to put a plan together and know what you’re dealing with. We played in the Big Ten Championship Game, other teams didn’t...It’s everybody involved," Day said.”
Bye week or not, Day said it "doesn't matter," a slight contrast to defensive coordinator Matt Patricia's outlook.
Ultimately, Day wants to win at all costs.
"This is a really talented team," Day said. "They got guys all over the field.”
Soon, we'll find out if the hype is real.
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