COLUMBUS, Ohio — 10TV sports anchor Dom Tiberi talked with Ohio State head coach Ryan Day ahead of "The Game" on Saturday.
Editor's note: Some text has been edited for clarity.
Coach, how ready do you think your football team is for this game?
Yeah, you know, to say, you know, how do you rank it? I don't know. But we've been waiting a long time for this one. Again, it started in the offseason. But we got in the locker room after the Minnesota game, you could already see it. You know, guys were talking about it already. There was a great look in their eye. We moved on to it the minute that clock hit zero, and huge week of preparation getting ready for this one. Our guys just have a great look in their eye.
They've been on a slow burn. Do you see an edge with your team right now?
Well, we set our goals. Our goal was to win the first game against Indiana with it with a young quarterback or inexperienced quarterback. Then he had to win the next 10. It's like, okay, just win the next 10. Like, it's that easy. It's not that easy. But then, you know, the third goal is win this game right here. And that was in big, bold letters. And this whole, this whole building, this whole team, this whole fan base knows how big this is.
You know, in talking to your kids after the game, I mean, they are focused. I mean, do you see that focus in them? I mean, they know what's at task And I mean, they're focused.
And what we got to do as coaches, let them play for free. Let them play fast. You know, let them, you know, not have to get bogged down with details, you know, and I think as coaches, we have to let them do that. Get them on the field, give them a great opportunity to be successful, but then get out of their way. Let them go play.
What is this week like? A lot of noise out there. The game in itself, and then all the stuff you're going to hear from fans and all that and then Thanksgiving. How do you manage this week?
Well, it's just become part of the week. You know, it's not like Thanksgiving, growing up where, you know, you get the whole family together and you know, have a big meal and, you know, have aunts and uncles and grandparents. It just that's just not the way it is. You know, you have a small, small group. And you try to avoid as many distractions as possible because everything's on the line.
You know, you say that, and I hear you talk all the time about blocking noise out and you tell your kids that. With that said, do you really embrace this week, Ohio versus the world? It's just chance to silence your critics.
Well, it's it's like that every year, right? I mean, this is this game comes every year. And this is how you're evaluated. We know that. And, you know, we've learned a lot about, you know, what's gone on the last couple years. And so we're going to be really prepared to play in this one.
There's been a lot said over the last couple of years. There's been a lot going on the last few weeks. Investigation and everything. You've taken the high road on the whole thing. And you're continuing to do that.
Yeah. I don't think it does any good to comment on it right now. I think there'll be a time and place for that. What matters is this game and getting our guys prepared to go win it.
Last thing. For the Buckeye fans that are going to be there and you want to see some up there. If they can get in there. Get up there, right?
Oh, yeah. Yeah, it'll be a great environment will be a hostile environment. And, and that's the way we want it. You know, this is, this is exactly what you want. And when I when I came to Ohio State, I thought about, you know, leaving a mark behind of, you know, a legacy behind it's a game like this, you know, with it all on the line. And now we're gonna go play and we're going to be aggressive with no regrets. And so you know, every person in Buckeye nation was watching this game. Let's go. Let's get after these guys. win this game. Beat the team up north
Fast start offense and defense. That's what we're shooting for. Right?
Yeah. But it's going to take four quarters. We know that. I mean, every player is going to be a battle. And so yes, a fast start would be huge, but we also got to finish the thing the right way in the fourth quarter.
GameTime with Ryan Day, featuring insight from Coach Day and in-depth interviews with players, assistant coaches and experts from across Buckeye Nation, airs Saturday at 9 a.m. in Columbus on WBNS-10TV and statewide on Bally Sports Ohio.