EXCUSES?: Ohio State Buckeyes and Ryan Day FACE Criticism, ANALYZE Fourth Quarter Collapse

Ohio State Buckeyes’ fourth-quarter collapse against Texas raises big questions about Ryan Day’s play-calling and Arthur Smith’s offensive strategy. Matt Fontana and former Buckeyes QB Justin Zwick break down the coaching decisions that fueled the heartbreaking loss, including critical moments like missed shot plays, conservative third-quarter runs, and the controversial goal-line stand. Is there a real fourth-quarter problem in Columbus, or are fans overreacting to high-stakes letdowns?Player development and playing time dominate the debate as calls grow for young talents like Riley Pettijohn, Khary Wilder, Legend Bey, and Chris Henry to earn more reps. With roster changes looming ahead of the Buckeyes’ matchup against Kent State, Fontana and Zwick weigh the merits of trusting veterans versus unleashing the next wave of Buckeye stars. The show wraps with an NFL roundup, spotlighting former Buckeyes like JSN, Caleb Downs, and Sonny Styles making headlines on Sundays.Episode Timestamps00:00 — Ryan Day Addresses LossDiscussion on Ryan Day's press conference after the Texas loss; play-calling criticism; reactions to in-game decisions.13:19 — Personnel & Reps DebateDebate over playing time for younger Buckeyes, evaluation of defensive/offensive rotations, and opinions on whether Ohio State should have played more backups against Texas.24:50 — TV Ratings & NFL BuckeyesReview of Ohio State-Texas TV viewership statistics, plus a roundup of notable NFL performances from former Buckeye players.Follow the show on twitter: https://x.com/LOBuckeyesPhoto credit: Scott Wachter via Imagn ImagesEverydayer ClubIf you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!KALSHIFor a limited time, Download Kalshi and use code Locked On to get $25 when you trade $25. Kalshi. Trade what’s next.  SupplyHouseVisit https://SupplyHouse.com/TM to learn more about becoming a Trade Master.  Use promo code S H 5 College for five percent off your first order.  SupplyHouse. Real people. Real service. Omaha SteaksShop proteins you can trust at https://www.Omaha Steaks.com. And right now, get 2 pounds of premium ground beef FREE with orders over $129 using code COLLEGE at checkout. Terms apply. See site for details. Aura CybersecurityStart your free trial today at https://aura.com/aware.  Protect yourself now.  WayfairTransform your space with pieces that hold up to real life.  Join Wayfair Rewards today and get five percent back on every purchase.  Head to https://Wayfair.com or shop the Wayfair app for all things home. Every style. Every home. IndeedListeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.SquareGet up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/COLLEGE ! #squarepod LARINECOGive Larine a try. Right now, Larine Co is offering our listeners up to 50% off at https://BUYLARINE.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE. 5-Hour ENERGYBring on the sweetness with Cotton Candy 5-hour ENERGY®️ shots—available online now at