The Michigan Wolverines won’t be competing in the National Championship on Monday. However, longtime ESPN personality and Michigan alum Desmond Howard managed to incorporate Michigan into the discussion prior to the game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Much to Howard’s disappointment, the Buckeyes have managed to rebound from a late-season loss to Michigan, making their way to the National Championship.
While discussing Ohio State’s journey on Monday’s special edition of College GameDay, Howard commented on the “psychotic obsession” Ohio State fans have with Michigan, noting that this passion has led to increased criticism of head coach Ryan Day, who has struggled against the Wolverines. “I think Ryan Day is a really good coach,” Howard stated on College GameDay, which was transcribed by On3 Sports. “The criticism he gets from a segment of his fan base is probably excessive. We understand how Ohio State fans feel about the Michigan game, and when they lose, the consequences follow. What he faces tonight is just part of the job; he knew that taking the position.”
He continued, “Tonight offers him a chance to win over those fans who have been critical and even called for his job. A victory in the National Championship against Notre Dame could help him gain their support. It’s fair or unfair, but that’s the reality; as a head coach, he must manage this obsession with Michigan.” On one hand, it may be unfair for Ohio State fans to demand Day’s dismissal with a 69-10 record since taking over as head coach; however, he has consistently set beating Michigan as a primary goal for each season, making the fanbase’s criticism arguably justifiable for his repeated failures to meet this aim.
Regardless, it has become a trend for College GameDay personalities to openly critique the Ohio State fanbase. Howard’s remarks closely echo those of his College GameDay colleague Kirk Herbstreit, who earlier this season described Ohio State fans as a “lunatic fringe” .
