Ryan Day's first public comments of Texas week carried the intensity of the moment.
As much was clear in Day's candor during his first appearance on 97.1 the Fan's Buckeye Roundtable show Monday. Kept to a brief four questions, the coach is nervous, as always, about whether his team is ready, but ultimately is excited to get them on the field.
Day also addressed how Ohio State studied a Texas squad with so many new faces and the impact his team's leaders will need to have.
- Day is nervous about whether his team is ready, but always feels that way. In the end, it's time to play ball. "You never feel like you're ready, but you gotta go. You're a week out, you've gotta go play a game."
- On what he looks at on film with so many new faces on Texas: "We watch everything. ... The biggest thing is, what can we do well and what can we execute in all three phases. ... We've gotta give (our players) a good, clean plan. ... We also look to see, again, what fits our guys."
- Day said this week will be a normal game week preparation, and the Buckeyes had a mock game on Saturday to get players accustomed to the pregame routine.
- Ohio State is counting on its leaders to provide production and reinforce the messages of its coaches. "As you know, all good teams have great leadership. ... If you have ultimate buy-in, you have a chance to reach your goals."
