“Watch the Film”: Ohio State Legend Responds to Emmanuel Acho’s Remarks Against Ryan Day

Saturday was a tragic day for the Ohio State Buckeyes. They lost at home to an unranked Michigan Wolverines. The defeat is the latest in a string of sloppy showings from head coach Ryan Day’s teams in key games. Fans and analysts alike are now questioning everything from his tactics to leadership. FOX Sports’ Emmanuel Acho blasted Day on X for standing by idly as things went bad. However, former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett shot back at Acho, saying he needed to look back through the tape before targeting Day.

Ohio State was a 20.5-point favorite against Michigan, but only scored half that number of points against “That Team Up North”.

“We should’ve won the game but you can’t out this squarely on one person. Watch the film. You’re a ball player. Multiple reasons why we dropped it at home,” wrote Clarett, in response to Acho.

Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard threw two critical interceptions in the game. His first gave the Wolverines possession at the Ohio State 2-yard line. It led to Michigan’s only touchdown. The second came on third down in the red zone, eliminating the chance for a field goal attempt from up close.

Points on that potential try were far from guaranteed, though. And kicker Jayden Fielding missed two kicks from less than 40 yards away in the contest. Those miscues and an inability to run the ball — 26 carries for 77 yards (3.0 yards per rush) — ushered Ohio State’s doom.

Clarett doesn’t think Day should be fired

There is no bigger opponent for Ohio State than Michigan. A woebegone season can be forgotten almost entirely if the Buckeyes win against them. At the same time, incredible years can be entirely wiped away by a loss to the Wolverines.

Ohio State are almost sure to host a home playoff game in a few weeks. Day, in his career as their head coach, is 66-10. Fans of almost every other school in the country would celebrate such success. But the Buckeyes’ faithful are tired of the losses coming in their most important outings.

Day has lost four straight meetings with Michigan, and is 2-4 in bowl/national championship appearances. A large portion of the fans want Day fired. Clarett doesn’t think that’s the proper move to make.

Clarett, despite his standing and stature as a national championship winner with the Buckeyes, was not spared from criticism for his opinion. Fans quickly hounded him for supporting Day.

Exuberance and passion are what make college football great. Those traits make the lives of players and coaches at the highest level awesome, and, at times terrible.

Right now, Day’s seat has never been hotter. He’ll hope it cools a bit before he begins preparing for his CFP quarterfinal game in a few weeks.