Ryan Day is 47-0 against unranked opponents, which isn't the same as owning a winning record against top-5 teams, but it sure beats getting upset.

CHICAGO — Coach Ryan Day led Ohio State football onto the gridiron at Wrigley Field on Saturday carrying an impressive streak on his back. Northwestern was the 45th unranked opponent Ohio State has faced with Day as the program’s full-time head coach. He had never lost to one.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day gave a heartfelt response when discussing the homecoming of this talented wideout on Saturday.

Day — who has been the Buckeyes’ full-time head coach since the 2019 season — has the 17th-largest buyout among college football coaches as of 2024, according to USA TODAY Sports’ database of salaries and contracts. As of December 1, 2024, Day’s contract buyout is $37,276,042.

Ohio State football brought in Kansas State transfer quarterback Will Howard to lift them back to the sport's summit. They will probably not know if their instincts were right for a couple more months, but the 23-year-old is giving fans some cause to be concerned despite a 7-1 start to the season.