It all came spilling out in a players-only meeting on the Tuesday after Ohio State's devastating loss to Michigan in the final weekend of the regular season. The Buckeyes, a 21-point home favorite over the Wolverines, imploded in a loss that gave critics even more ammunition to aim at embattled head coach Ryan Day.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has been the subject of much vitriol in recent years, with his star pass rusher Jack Sawyer revealing the toll it has taken on Day and his family

Day and the Buckeyes were beaten by their bitter rivals and booed off their home field less than 2 months ago. Now they have a shot at winning it all.

That’s due, partially, to the fact that the Buckeyes have won three straight playoff games — including two in blowout fashion. It’s been a remarkable turnaround for an Ohio State team that appeared to be on the brink of a total failure of a season.

Ohio State fans have complicated feelings toward Day, who has lost four straight to Michigan but is one win away from a national title.

Ohio State football head coach Ryan Day discussed the pressures surrounding his program, the criticisms against him and how the Buckeyes rebounded after losing to the Michigan Wolverines.

Even as Ohio State turned around its season with three playoff wins, coach Ryan Day turned around his reputation by evolving after Michigan loss.

Day and the Buckeyes were beaten by their bitter rivals and booed off their home field less than 2 months ago. Now they have a shot at winning it all.

Ohio State dominated Tennessee and then top-ranked Oregon in the first and second round of the playoff before outlasting Texas, 28-14, in the Cotton Bowl to reach the title bout with the Fighting Irish. A win for the Buckeyes puts Day amongst the legendary coaches who have led Ohio State to national championships.

Ryan Day will lead Ohio State into the national championship game against Notre Dame on Monday, and it has been a turbulent journey filled with vitriol for the head coach

Ohio State has to jump out early, spread the ball around, use pace, and control the line of scrimmage to thwart Notre Dame’s running game. Ohio State has played at a faster pace in the postseason and look for that to continue. The defense will want to make Leonard throw the ball by making the Notre Dame offense one-dimensional.