Ryan Day on distractions in The Game: 'The rest of it doesn't matter'
Very few people know how important this year’s rendition of The Game is better than Ohio State head coach Ryan Day. Amid a two-game losing streak in The Game for Ohio State, Michigan has become embroiled in a sign-stealing scandal that has seen head coach Jim Harbaugh suspended.
Day admitted that it’s not easy to block out the noise going into The Game. However, he also emphasized the importance of doing so.
“I think, not that it’s easy, but the only thing that matters is this game, is this team, is preparing,” Ryan Day said. “The rest of it doesn’t matter, so that’s what we have to do. We have got to stay disciplined enough to focus on that. And it goes back to the conversation about emotion, letting emotion of the game get in the way. We can’t do that.”
There is more than a little bit on the line in The Game this season. The winner is going to win the Big Ten East and is expected to beat Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game. On top of that, the winner is expected to go to the College Football Playoff while the loser may not have a path.
All of that is happening while the distraction of the Michigan sign-stealing scandal adds motivation for both teams. For Ryan Day, it’s a great reason why focusing while preparing for The Game is so important.
“And every year you learn more and more about this game and the preparation for it so we’re not gonna let any of that stuff get in our way in terms of distractions. We’re just gonna focus on this team, this season, and preparing the best we possibly can.”
On the other sideline, Michigan will be without head coach Jim Harbaugh. However, he can still be with the team during practice and, like Ryan Day, he is also emphasizing the value of staying focused on the task at hand for this game.
“All the focus is on Ohio State,” Harbaugh said. “This is where we’re at. That’s the focus. That’s part of the life lesson, to focus on the task in front of you. When you got a task in front of you, it’s a big task, you got to use every day, every hour, every minute. Plan, practice, get yourself right. Get yourself in position to go out there and play to the best of your ability.”
The Game is at noon on Saturday, November 25th, and it will be played at Michigan. Early point spreads have the Wolverines as a 3.5-point favorite.
Heather Dinich explains why The Game is a must-win for both teams
Ultimately, The Game is a must-win for both Ohio State and Michigan this season. ESPN’s Heather Dinich explained why during an appearance on Get Up.
“I would be shocked if Michigan got into the playoff without beating Ohio State. If they don’t, they have one win against a CFP Top-25 team on their resume in Penn State – one win! The bar is extremely high in that committee’s meeting room for any team that does not wins its conference, let alone its division. Michigan had four straight home games to start the season – no non-conference wins against Power Five opponents,” Dinich said.
“Those are all things that will keep Michigan out of the playoff if they don’t beat Ohio State.”
Dinich gave Ohio State a better shot to make the Playoff without a win in The Game. However, it’s still a small shot.
“I would give them a slim chance. This is the blueprint that got them in last year without beating Michigan and winning the Big Ten. The difference last year was that USC, on Friday night, was the number four, lost to Utah, and dropped out. This year? There are so many other contenders – Washington, Texas, Alabama, Georgia. Florida State is still in consideration, even without Jordan Travis, until proven otherwise.”