Fans expressed strong dissatisfaction with Ryan Day and Ohio State University (OSU) due to the dismal offensive performance in the Cotton Bowl loss against Missouri.
The 7th-ranked Ohio State football team suffered a 14-3 defeat to the 9th-ranked Missouri Tigers in the Cotton Bowl, failing to score a touchdown for the first time in seven years. Quarterbacks Devin Brown and Lincoln Kienholz struggled, completing just 10-of-23 passes for 106 yards, while the running game managed only 2.9 yards per carry.
Despite entering the game shorthanded, with key players missing, Ohio State’s offensive struggles drew criticism for head coach Ryan Day. The team scored on only one of its 11 drives, and the blame was directed at Day, particularly for the team’s recent struggles against top-tier opponents.
Under Day’s leadership, the Buckeyes have faced challenges against elite teams, losing three consecutive games to Michigan since 2021. Their postseason performances have been inconsistent, with losses in the CFP semifinals in 2019 and 2022, and a crushing defeat in the 2020 final against Alabama. While the 2021 season concluded with a Rose Bowl win over Utah, the recent Cotton Bowl loss marked Ohio State’s lowest scoring output since the 2016 CFP semifinals against Clemson.
Despite facing a formidable Missouri team, the offensive struggles raised concerns, especially given the talent remaining on the Ohio State roster. Fans and analysts expressed dissatisfaction with Day’s coaching decisions and the team’s inability to generate points in the final three quarters.
Looking ahead to the 2024 season, Ohio State faces uncertainties with key departures and questions surrounding the team’s performance. The disappointment of the Cotton Bowl loss leaves the Buckeyes with more questions than answers as they prepare for the upcoming season, which begins on August 31 with a home game against Akron.
