Ryan Day, Ohio State football face most pressure to win it all in 2024

Another disappointing season wrapped up for Ryan Day and Ohio State football. No, the Buckeyes didn't miss a bowl game nor did they lose fewer than 10 games, but rather they fell short of all expectations: Big Ten title, division title, playoff appearance, postseason win, victory over Michigan.

That just doesn't happen at Ohio State -- at least it didn't under Urban Meyer.

But now that he's headed into the 2024 season without a win over Michigan since 2019 or a Big Ten title since 2020, Day is now facing his most important season yet in Columbus. With the talent he's bringing in via the transfer portal and from the 2024 class, Day needs to make sure he not only makes the expanded 12-team playoff next season, but he needs to at least win a couple of games in the postseason.

While Ohio State is losing some key players like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Kyle McCord, the Buckeyes are bringing in the No. 2 recruiting class, led by five-star wideout Jeremiah Smith and four-star quarterback Air Noland, as well as one of the best crop of transfers in the country.

After landing the top transfer on the market in five-star safety Caleb Downs from Alabama on Friday, the Buckeyes look like the team to beat in the Big Ten ahead of the 2024 season. Add him to a transfer class with Quinshon Judkins, Seth McLaughlin, and Howard, and you have one of the most talented, productive groups of transfers in the country.

With all of these transfers and elite recruits coming in and the returning stars from an 11-2 team, Day is facing the most pressure to succeed that he's ever had in his career.

If Ohio State can't beat Michigan or win the Big Ten with this improved roster in 2024, it will absolutely be time to move on from Day.