Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes carved their legacy into the annals of college football history Monday night with a spectacular 34-23 victory over Notre Dame to claim the national championship. It was a night of jubilation, a vindication of a coach who has weathered the sharpest criticisms and most bitter rivalries in the sport. However, despite the dazzling confetti and deafening cheers, one nagging question hovered over Day’s crowning achievement—what about Michigan?
The rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan isn’t just a football game; it’s a battle of pride, a clash of identities, and for Buckeye fans, it’s often the measuring stick for success. Yet, for all his accomplishments, Ryan Day has been unable to shake the stain of four consecutive losses to the Wolverines. Once lauded for his initial victory against Michigan, Day has since seen his team stumble, frustrating a fan base that lives for this annual grudge match against “The Team Up North,” as Ohio State fans call their arch-enemy.
But on Tuesday morning, as the euphoria of the national title still pulsed through the Buckeye Nation, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum delivered a verdict that felt like a thunderclap across the college football landscape. Speaking on Get Up with Mike Greenberg, Finebaum uttered two words that sent shockwaves through the debate surrounding Day’s legacy: “Fully vindicated.”
Those words, simple yet seismic, reframed the narrative around Day’s career. Finebaum explained, with trademark authority, why Ohio State’s triumph on the sport’s biggest stage outweighs even the bitter wounds inflicted by Michigan in recent years.
“Yes, Michigan matters. Losing to them four years in a row stings—there’s no denying that,” Finebaum admitted. “But winning a national championship? That’s the ultimate trump card. In the high-stakes poker game of college football, Ryan Day has now laid down a royal flush. He’s on top of the world today, and everything else becomes secondary.”
.@finebaum says OSU head coach Ryan Day has been "fully vindicated" after winning the CFP National Championship 👀 pic.twitter.com/zIy2vPe3qF
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) January 21, 2025
The national championship, Finebaum argued, serves as a monumental rebuttal to Day’s critics, proving his resilience under pressure and his ability to guide a team through adversity. But what made this championship run even more remarkable, Finebaum noted, was the Buckeyes’ unconventional path to glory.
Surprisingly, Ohio State’s absence from the Big Ten Championship—a result of their loss to Michigan—may have been a blessing in disguise. Finebaum suggested it was this unusual twist of fate that allowed Day and his team to regroup, recalibrate, and mount what he described as “one of the most incredible runs we’ve ever seen in college football.”
“The loss to Michigan, as painful as it was, gave Day something he desperately needed: time,” Finebaum explained. “Time to decompress, to address the pain with his players, and to refocus. It’s as if that loss lit a fire under this team, propelling them to heights no one expected.”
What makes this story so thrilling is the duality of Day’s journey. On one hand, he’s been chastised for failing to uphold Ohio State’s dominance over Michigan, a tradition woven into the DNA of Buckeye football. On the other hand, he’s silenced doubters by achieving the ultimate prize—the national championship—a feat that eludes even the most storied programs for decades.
For Finebaum, the symbolism couldn’t be more potent. “This title isn’t just about winning games—it’s about redemption. It’s about proving that Ryan Day can stand tall when the lights shine brightest, even with the weight of Michigan losses dragging behind him.”
As the college football world processes Ohio State’s triumph, one thing is certain: Ryan Day’s name will forever be etched into the fabric of the sport. Whether his legacy ultimately revolves around his Michigan record or his championship success, Finebaum’s declaration—“fully vindicated”—captures the essence of a man who has climbed back to the summit against all odds.
Now, the question lingers: Is this the start of a new chapter for Ryan Day, one where he conquers not only the national stage but finally exorcises the Michigan demons? The football world will be watching with bated breath. One thing is clear—Ryan Day has proven he’s not just a contender; he’s a champion.
