However, Day is approaching the game with caution, knowing the Badgers have a lot of pride and are playing with nothing to lose. Furthermore, Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell is of course the former interim head coach at Ohio State, was a four-year starter for the Buckeyes at nose guard and was an assistant coach for 14 seasons in Columbus.
[Follow this link to watch all of Day’s press conference following Wednesday evening’s practice.]
Ohio State last played the Badgers in 2023 in Madison, a game in which the Buckeyes won 24-10. Day has a lot of respect for Fickell, who he also defeated 42-0 when Fickell was at Cincinnati in 2019.
“Luke Fickell is a very good coach,” Day said. “He knows winning football and his team plays hard. They play sound football. Now, I know the season hasn’t gone the way that they’ve expected it to go. But at the same time, put the film on, they’re one of the better defenses in the country. And all it takes is a few big plays and get in the offensive rhythm and they’re going to be in these games. And so, we know that. And we know going in any game on the road is a challenge in this league.
“So, you know, we know what we’re going to get. And for us, we want to just continually focus on our process and how we do things. But I think the other thing is, there’s a lot of a lot of ways to look at it, but I’m sure they feel like their backs are against the wall a little bit, you know, fighting for this season, which I can understand. And so, when you get that, you’re going to get a team that’s going to come out with their hair on fire.
“So, we have to match that intensity and then some.”
Ohio State fourth-year junior center Carson Hinzman is having a standout season and hails from the state of Wisconsin (Spring Valley). Day could not say enough nice things about his veteran offensive lineman, who started all 12 regular-season games as a redshirt freshman in 2023. But Hinzman then found himself as a backup in 2024, until injuries paved the way for him returning to his starting role. And he thrived during the Buckeyes’ run to the national championship.
“Yeah, he is a great example of somebody that, when Luke Wypler went to the NFL that year, he got thrust into a role maybe a year earlier than we would have expected,” Day said. “And that isn’t always easy. But going through that and learning from that has made him stronger and more experienced and more ready now. And I even think more ready to make the run we made last year at the end of the year because he had gone through that.
“I think it was also great for him to spend a little time with Seth McLaughlin last year. Because when you have somebody older who kind of shows you the way, especially at center, it’s good. And when Luke left that year to go to the NFL, it was sort of left void for him that year. Most people probably don’t even recognize that. But because of all of those things, he’s become an excellent football player. And, you know, his communication, he’s playing with great confidence. He keeps everybody together up front. And I know he’s excited to go back to his home state and play well.”
Keep it locked to Bucknuts for full coverage of all things Ohio State football.
