ATLANTA — Ryan Day emphasizes Ohio State’s toughness much like an overly enthusiastic salesperson desperate to showcase the clarity of a television display. Ultimately, we’ll find out for ourselves if it holds true.

This fixation became evident just over a year ago, right after Ohio State edged out Notre Dame, 17-14. During a post-game interview with NBC and later with reporters, Day took aim at former Irish coach Lou Holtz. Holtz had stated on the Pat McAfee Show that Ohio State’s notable defeats to teams like Michigan, Alabama, and Georgia were due to those teams being “more physical than Ohio State.”

This was clearly a sore spot for Day, the former New Hampshire quarterback and high-powered offensive coordinator, whose teams had not been the best examples of traditional, physical Big Ten football up until that point.

After showing disbelief at Holtz’s comments, Day burst into the press conference to vehemently declare that the idea of the Buckeyes being soft was “not even close to true.” He attributed that reputation to “one bad half” against Michigan in 2021 and insisted that the narrative “ends tonight” after their victory in South Bend.

However, this all felt a bit forced. A narrative in college football doesn’t just disappear because a coach wants it to—and especially not due to a single non-conference game in September. Notably, Ohio State would go on to suffer two more defeats against Michigan, including a surprising loss this season, which placed Day precariously close to the infamous hot seat.

Now, with another matchup against Notre Dame looming—this time for the national championship—Day’s chance for redemption is deeply connected to his rejection of the notion that Ohio State is merely a speed-focused team.

While attempting to consistently prove their toughness has backfired in the Michigan games, causing the Buckeyes to stray from their strengths and play into the Wolverines’ game plan, this commitment to toughness has now undeniably benefited them overall in reaching their current position.

“It’s really impressive to see Ryan Day’s growth and how he’s adjusted his perspective,” said Greg McElroy, the former Alabama quarterback turned ESPN commentator. “As an offensive coordinator, your focus used to be solely on maximizing that side of the ball for victory. It’s fascinating to witness him slightly shift from a fast-paced approach and prioritizing big plays to a more measured style. The Texas game showcased this evolution perfectly.”

In the semifinal against Texas, which ended with a 28-14 score, McElroy noted how Ohio State played more strategically without forcing unnecessary plays. He observed how the defense, which in past years may have relied on complex strategies to compensate for being outmuscled at the line, instead displayed physicality when it mattered most.

When tasked with stopping Texas on a critical first-and-goal situation late in the game, Ohio State showcased their growth in toughness. Just as they had done against Penn State earlier in the season with a similar goal-line stand, they stopped the Texas run and forced them to try a play on the outside, which failed dramatically, culminating in Jack Sawyer’s strip sack of Quinn Ewers and a touchdown return that sealed the game.

Ohio State can still win in a fast-paced game. But when they needed to adapt—as illustrated by their performance against Texas—they showed significant improvement in toughness and physicality. This development could be what leads the Buckeyes to a national championship.

“There was a narrative suggesting we weren’t a tough team,” said Ohio State safety Lathan Ransom. “Naturally, we ignore the outside noise. However, everything we do in the offseason behind the scenes is all about building toughness. Hearing that we’re not tough certainly hits home for many of us.”

Despite Day’s public denials, it’s clear how he has transformed the program since the “one bad half” against Michigan in 2021, when the Buckeyes were dominated 42-27.

Following that season, Day revamped his coaching staff, most notably letting go of coordinator Kerry Coombs and offensive line coach Greg Studrawa.

Fast forward to 2024, and under Knowles’ leadership, Ohio State boasts one of the top defenses in the nation, along with an offensive line that has thrived despite facing significant injuries, including to center Seth McLaughlin.

“Having a top-five defense is what I expected, and that’s the standard here,” Knowles stated, who joined the team after four successful seasons at Oklahoma State. “When you come to Ohio State, you aim to be the best and compete against the best, so that’s how I approached it from the start.”

Achieving these results requires more than mere talk. Nowadays at Ohio State, everyone emphasizes the intensity of Tuesday and Wednesday practices when they focus on physical drills, a strategy that hasn’t always gained traction in an era that prioritizes player safety but is crucial for building a resilient team capable of facing tough opponents.

“It’s all about mindset,” noted linebackers coach and former Buckeye All-American James Laurinaitis. “Coach Day emphasizes that regular physical practices build a certain resilience through repetition.

“The NFL has seen similar trends with physicality—there was a time focused on pads followed by a shift towards lighter practices, which resulted in more missed tackles. Now everyone seems to be embracing the need for physical practices again. It’s a continuous cycle. There’s no perfect science to strike that balance; if there were, someone would figure it out and profit immensely.”

However, Ohio State appears to have struck the right balance currently. While Day refrains from outright saying his program lacked toughness in previous years, he acknowledges that they are now more equipped to handle various styles, essential for navigating the Big Ten and the College Football Playoff.

“Every year provides lessons, and honestly each season I learn and adapt to pinpoint what needs attention and tackle any issues directly,” Day reflected. “That’s what leadership is about—looking ahead and anticipating challenges. Continuous learning is essential, and I feel I’ve made strides in that regard.”

And should Ohio State win one more game, Day won’t need to keep asserting how tough his team is; it will be unmistakable, symbolized by the gleam of their championship trophy.