The ongoing discussion surrounding Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has sparked significant debate, even leading to some internal tension at ESPN. The controversy stems from differing opinions on whether Day’s job was truly in jeopardy before the Buckeyes’ dominant first-round College Football Playoff win over Tennessee.
Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit commented on First Take’s suggestion that Day might be fired, even though Ohio State convincingly defeated the Volunteers. This prompted a sharp response from Stephen A. Smith during Monday’s First Take episode. Co-host Shannon Sharpe also addressed the matter, expressing frustration while opting to maintain professionalism for now.
Sharpe remarked, “I’m going to be a good teammate and let it slide. Everybody’s at ESPN. Because if you hadn’t taken the route you did, I would have lit they a** up. But I’ll let it go. If we’re going to work at the same network, don’t do that. Kirk, Chris Fowler, I promise you… ESPN ain’t got enough bosses to keep me off y’all for what I’m going to say.”
Sharpe joined ESPN in late 2023 after leaving FOX Sports and has been a regular First Take host since the football season began.
Ohio State vs. Oregon: A Rose Bowl Rematch
Ohio State and Oregon are set to face off in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl. These teams previously met during the regular season in a closely contested game, where a time-management issue prevented Ohio State from attempting a game-winning field goal.
Oregon enters the matchup as the nation’s only undefeated team, but Ohio State is currently a 2.5-point favorite. The Buckeyes demonstrated their prowess with a 42-17 victory over Tennessee in the first round of the playoffs, showcasing sharp play on both sides of the ball. A win against Oregon would further cement Ryan Day’s position and propel the team into the CFP
Semifinals.