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Lou Holtz and Ryan Day developed an unlikely rivalry in the 2023 football season, hopping into a heated back-and-forth centered around Ohio State’s matchup versus Notre Dame earlier in the year.
The Buckeyes wound up winning that matchup on the final play of the game, sparking a Day explosion in his postgame interview.
“I’d like to know where Lou Holtz is now,” Day exclaimed after the win. The comments came following Holtz’s outlook on the contest in his weekly leadup.
The former Fighting Irish coach didn’t believe the Buckeyes were as physical as Notre Dame, a case that may have been proven despite the OSU win. Ohio State converted just 2-of-8 situations where they needed one yard to gain, though they cashed in when it mattered most on the go-ahead score.
“You look at Coach (Ryan) Day,” Lou Holtz said before the matchup. “He’s lost to Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, and Michigan twice. Everybody that beats him does so because they are more physical than Ohio State. I think Notre Dame will take that same approach.”
The two teams went in different directions after the game. Ohio State reeled off a perfect 11-0 start while Notre Dame fell to Louisville and Clemson to finish the year 9-3.
While the Irish’s playoff hopes were dashed following multiple losses, the Buckeyes had a chance to book a ticket with a win over Michigan. Unfortunately, they fell short of that goal.
OSU lost to the Wolverines for the third straight season, dropping Saturday’s rivalry contest 30-24.
Holtz was asked about Day after the fact. Here’s what he had to say.
Hey @OhioState curious what Lou Holtz thinks of Ryan Day losing to MIchigan 3 years straight? @mark_may had to ask pic.twitter.com/XpRTGlJTzA
— Joey Hardy (@ProducerJoey95) November 26, 2023
“Losing to Michigan three years in a row is not good,” Holtz said to his former ESPN co-host Mark May. “What a long ride home that must be.”
Ohio State will likely need some help to get into the College Football Playoff following the loss, though it’s not out of the realm of possibility. The Buckeyes were in the same position last year before sliding in as the fourth seed and nearly upsetting national champion Georgia.