Ryan Day: Ohio State building depth for second-half push

The Ohio State Buckeyes are on the rise again after an early hiccup against Oregon. The preseason Big Ten favorites have now won five straight, with its toughest stretch ahead. According to head coach Ryan Day, Ohio State took the opportunity Saturday to reset their mentality, and hopefully their season with new depth.

“We figured this was the first game of the second half of the season,” Day said during his postgame interview. “We kind of looked at it like we were 0-0 going into the game. And we wanted to come out and play really well in our first game of the second half of the season. We did that, we got a big challenge next week.”

Coming into Saturday’s 54-7 win over Indiana, the Buckeyes were 3-0 in the Big Ten with wins over Minnesota, Rutgers and Maryland. Ohio State has averaged a plus-41.6 margin over the past five games, scoring 50-plus in the last four.

Seeing the dominance Ohio State has come to expect, Ryan Day is focused on building depth down the stretch.

“That’s what’s been great,” explained Day. “Early on it was a thing we didn’t really have guys settled into roles. But now they’re getting more and more depth, it’s starting to build that depth like we’re going to need down the stretch.”

The once thin backfield has now blossomed with TreVeyon Henderson, Master Teague and Miyan Williams. The always-deep wide receiver core also has built chemistry with quarterback CJ Stroud.

The defense has built depth and chemistry, reinventing their game from a disappointing start. Both side of the ball will get a chance to show off the depth Day referenced over the next few weeks, which will make or break the season.

Ohio State’s upcoming slate

Ohio State’s early home loss against Oregon delivered a major blow to their College Football Playoff hopes, but with the slate in front of them it could become a distant memory. The Buckeye’s start on of the toughest stretches across college football next Saturday with a home game against No. 20 Penn State.

Following that, a road trip to Nebraska and home game against Purdue serve as tune-ups before the Michigan gauntlet over the final two weeks. On Nov. 20, Ohio State hosts undefeated No. 8 Michigan State, then traveling to Ann Arbor for the annual rivalry game with undefeated No. 6 ranked Michigan.

Their reward, if they are able, for making it through the final weeks untouched, is a trip to the conference championship game. The path toward the CFP remains a treacherous journey, but looks much more doable with Ohio State’s added depth.