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    OSU's Ryan Day Praised by CFB Fans amid Criticism After Blowout CFP Win vs. Tennessee

    Zach BacharContributor IDecember 22, 2024

    COLUMBUS, OH - DECEMBER 21: Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day reacts in the first half during the CFP First Round game against the Tennessee Volunteers on December 21, 2024 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
    Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

    Ohio State punched its ticket to the Rose Bowl on Saturday night.

    The Buckeyes cruised to a blowout victory over Tennessee in the first round of the College Football Playoff, winning by the final score of 42-17.

    Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

    OHIO STATE HANDLES BUSINESS TO SETUP REMATCH VS. OREGON IN THE ROSE BOWL 🍿 <a href="https://t.co/MPzAqquxVK">pic.twitter.com/MPzAqquxVK</a>

    Head coach Ryan Day's team scored 21 straight points to open the first quarter and didn't look back.

    The Buckeyes' defense shut down a Volunteers squad that owned the No. 2 scoring offense in the SEC this year, allowing just 256 total yards on Saturday. Tennessee averaged 3.9 yards per rush as a team, converting a mere six of its 16 opportunities on third down.

    For Ohio State, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith continued his stellar freshman season. Smith racked up 103 yards on just six catches, finding the end zone twice.

    Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

    JEREMIAH SMITH IS LIKE THAT 🔥<br><br>📺: ESPN <a href="https://t.co/pCwcCAkGEo">pic.twitter.com/pCwcCAkGEo</a>

    Will Howard threw an interception in the second quarter, but he was still able to complete 82.8 percent of his passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns.

    OSU's Ryan Day Praised by CFB Fans amid Criticism After Blowout CFP Win vs. Tennessee
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    ESPN @espn

    JEREMIAH SMITH DOES IT AGAIN 🔥 <br><br>HIS SECOND TOUCHDOWN IN HIS FIRST-EVER CFP GAME 😤 <br><br>What a dime from Will Howard 👏 <a href="https://t.co/BjzndKxTut">pic.twitter.com/BjzndKxTut</a>

    Questions surrounding Day's job security surfaced following a loss to Michigan on Nov. 30, but fans praised him for the Buckeyes' dominant performance against the Vols.

    Tony Roundtree @Tonywithyy

    Ryan Day when he isn't coaching against Michigan <a href="https://t.co/o0GRzOz6Wm">pic.twitter.com/o0GRzOz6Wm</a>

    Brantford Winstonworth @BrantfordWinny

    One thing Ryan day has pretty consistently shown…if you give him time to prep for an opponent, he schemes it the hell up.

    nick cellini @CelliniNick

    Said it for two weeks: this is when <a href="https://twitter.com/OhioStateFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OhioStateFB</a> is the most dangerous, when they come off a loss We saw it against UGA a couple of years ago Easily the most impressive game of the Ryan Day era

    DPH @DPHBuckeyes

    Kudos to Ryan Day. This team was ready to go.<br><br>Need to repeat this performance 3 more times.

    Jared Luginbill @JaredLuginbill

    I'm so happy for Ryan Day and his players, Ryan is a good coach and a good man. The players wear their faith on their sleeves. I get the frustration over losing to Michigan, but the character assassination that has come from many in Buckeye nation attacking him and the players…

    The Raider Grader @wins4tony

    Ryan Day is so back

    dageorge @dageorge1

    Apology line for Ryan Day is going to be a long one

    ADay @day_aiden

    If Ohio State plays like this for the entirety of the playoffs, I see Ryan Day holding a National Championship Trophy.<br><br>Nobody can guard Jeremiah Smith.<br><br>Our defense is lockdown.<br><br>Yeah, we have some hiccups.<br><br>But, we are DOMINANT.

    John Sabol @John_Sabol

    Give Ryan Day &amp; Chip Kelly credit. They got <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OhioState?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OhioState</a> ready after that embarrassing display vs Michigan. Jim Knowles had his defense swarming! THIS was the team everyone was waiting for all season. Glad it showed up in the Playoff. Now do it again in the Rose Bowl. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoBucks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoBucks</a>

    The Buckeyes are now set to face off against Oregon after advancing in the CFP, representing a rematch after they suffered a hard-fought 32-31 loss to the Ducks on Oct. 12.

    The two teams will clash on Jan. 1 at 5 p.m. ET.