Buckeyes' HC Ryan Day 'Embracing Reality' by Revealing Team's Goal to Finish the Year

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day was back in front of the microphone on Thursday, and in his press conference, he laid out the unfortunate reality that this team is in. Thanks to their losing the final two games on their schedule, they are no longer in control of their outcome.

What they are in control of is their ability to win the final three games of their season and that is the only thing on their minds. They have their eyes set on beating Northwestern this weekend, heading to Nebraska to beat the Cornhuskers and then winning the rivalry game against Michigan at the end of the month. 

If they take of that business, the chips will fall where they may.

There is a real world where the Buckeyes either sneak into the College Football Playoff, sneak into the Big Ten Championship game, or both. Obviously, they are not in control of any of that, outside of winning their final three football games.

To do that, they are going to need to pay significantly better than they have in the last two weeks at nearly every position.

The quarterback hasn't been the problem, but he needs to be better; the offensive line needs to be better; the running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends all need to elevate their game.

On defense, they need to somehow find a level that they simply don't have anymore. Maybe we are spoiled by what has come before this specific Ohio State defense, but whatever is out there right now is nothing like what we are used to seeing on defense for the Buckeyes.

If everyone elevates their game, they are going to have a chance to keep their season alive. If they don't, they will be on upset alert each of the last three weeks of their season.

Don't get it confused; these Northwestern Wildcats absolutely have the goods to take down the Buckeyes, and it would catapult their program into a different stratosphere if they do. 

Nebraska has three of the closest losses of the season against some really good teams on their home field, and then in that final game, anything goes, no matter who is coaching the Michigan Wolverines.

The Buckeyes' work is cut out for them, and they know that their reality is that they put themselves in this position. All they can control right now is the game in front of them and that is going to be their approach for the remainder of the season.