I’ve seen reports in the media. While it hasn’t been the highlight of the story, it has been mentioned publicly. So yes it has.  

The local media would likely have their ears to the ground more so than the national media, especially with college football. Yes, there have been reports dating back to Knowles first year. Some reports early on that I saw described it as heated. Other reports described it as a gentleman’s disagreement. An indicator that it might be accurate is the d-line scheme is more inline with LJ’s philosophy than what Knowles has used successfully at other programs. 

According to some official reports and rumors, it’s the latter. Possibly a difference in d-line philosophy between LJ and Knowles. 

Odd that it happens in the 4th quarter. It’s almost of if the defense is gassed from running all over the field because of a lack of pressure on QBs. There is a common trend each season under Knowles, a lack of QB pressure by the front 7, especially the line.  As mentioned in past articles and forums by fans and some analysts, there appears to be a discrepancy between what Knowles did at other programs with his scheme and his tenure at Ohio State. There are reports that Coach LJ and Knowles have a difference of opinion on how to employ the d-line. The simple answer could be that the difference in coaching philosophy between LJ & Knowles is the root of the problem. 

Exactly. People are discounting what Oregon has built on offense. They got the #1 QB in the portal during the offseason and may have the second best receiver group in the country. The scores of Oregon’s first two games this season had many people discounting how good Oregon is on offense. In the preseason, many fans and experts picked Oregon to win this game and Ohio State to win the rematch on a neutral field. 

I would be interested in how the lack of pressure by the defensive line on Oregon’s QB played a role in the struggles by the corners. I know it sounds like an obvious answer, but the immediate concern by many fans and analysts was directed towards the corners and benching Burke. There was less conversation about the d-line. Oregon somewhat quietly build what might be the second best receiver group in the country during the offseason. It’s extremely difficult in the modern offensive friendly rules game to cover top receivers, especially if the QB can sit back in the pocket. I’m not giving Burke a free pass (no pun intended), he appeared lost at times and his tackling was bad. But, the simple answer might be the d-line is the main problem and the issues with the corners was a byproduct of the lack of QB pressure. 

I have trouble understanding why some people soil themselves over criticisms of Day. 
 

There is a difference between constructive criticism and the “fire Day” crowd. 

That difference is both Tress and Meyer won multiple national championships before coming to Ohio State. There aren’t a lot of those coaches with current college football experience floating around. It takes that level of experience to get over the hurdle. Day has shown that he is willing to learn and adjust. It’s just a matter of time. 

I agree. I’m sure LJ carries a lot of influence with influential alumni based on his time with the program and past players he’s mentored. It’s definitely a tricky situation. That fact that it has gotten to this point leads me to think that Day believes the situation has the potential to go south for the program. With that said, if the reports are accurate, then a decision has to be made or it doesn’t matter who the d-coordinator is, the issue will always be a problem.  

Well said. 

I’m glad you mentioned LJ’s d-line philosophy is based offenses from 30 years ago. Why bring in Knowles as the d-coordinator, and his scheme that has seen modern day success at other programs, if you’re going to essentially require Knowles to adjust his scheme so LJ, a subordinate, is happy? 

I’m sure the logic is the clock continues to tick down and removes the risk of a deep pass. Five yards close for a FG attempt is worth giving up to prevent a deep pass.  

But, if the loophole of the clock is removed, coaches would be hesitant to use a 12th man risking 15 yards closer to the FG and killing the clock. 

Is it really cheating? If you believe it is, there are rules on the books that allow the officials to immediately step and penalize it. As fans we should be more concerned about how the officials felt compelled to inject themselves into the game with the unusual OPI call, but failing to call the defense for DPI the play prior when Smith was mugged and it likely resulted in him getting aggressive the next play.  Then moments later, they fail to handle the 12 players on the field appropriately even though Day was calling it out pre snap.  

Makes perfect sense! There should be no loophole for the penalized team that allows them to benefit from committing the penalty. 

From what I’ve read, post snap is 15 yards and pre snap it’s 5 yards (too many players on the field). With Day pointing it out, it’s odd that the officials didn’t handle it appropriately, especially with the unusual OPI called moments before at that point in the game.  

It should also be a dead ball foul that immediately kills the clock or restores the time to the pre-snap time. 

Well said and backed with facts! These clowns who keep calling for Day’s termination offer no solution to the way ahead. Day is a top 5 coach, there aren’t many of those floating around. They ignore the fact that Michigan cheated when pointing out Day’s top 5 record, while screaming for the death penalty for Michigan in separate forums. They also ignore the egregious late game officiating that has impacted the outcome of games.  

we have a roster talent advantage over them. 

Talent advantage over who and in what phase of the game? The Ohio State offense every time scores points against playoff caliber teams. As stated above all playoff teams are struggling on defense.  
 

I think it’s pitiful that in the 22 and 23 Michigan games

Do you believe that Michigan cheated or they didn’t? Because the NCAA believes they cheated.  

OSU fans want to believe that we have a top tier coach.

I can’t understand why someone who hates the head coach and the majority of fans, regularly comes to a fan site and takes the time to post comments. Says more about you than the fans you despise.  
 

Same question for the 12-men-on-the-field. 

This and your other questions were answered in the article. Day was yelling at the officials about the 12 men, it literally states this above. What else could he have done in that moment that means your expectations? 

I've always hated the "who can we get thats better?" rationale for not wanting to replace the head coach.  Its loser talk.

I disagree. Loser talk is panicking about a loss and wanting to make an immediate knee jerk change that could set the program back a decade. How many active college football head coaches have won a national championship? It’s not easy and any change to the head coach needs to someone who increases the likelihood of doing a better job. There aren’t many of those guys walking around.  

Yes Michigan cheated, but TCU used it to their advantage after having only known about it for a couple weeks.

Is that how cheating works? If you build a program that was able to retain players because they are so close to winning a NC and are able to get NIL money based on fans/alumni excitement, then it’s ok and on the opponents who didn’t adjust? The cheat was a lot more than just knowing plays. It allowed for legitimate advantages that were only attainable because they beat Ohio State and made the playoffs off of cheating. 

He’s lost to Michigan three straight times 

Checks notes… “TCUN are under investigation for multiple NCAA violations involving cheating”. Take away those wins, which could happen by the NCAA, and it paints a different picture.  

I agree 100%. Nothing but love for LJ and what he did 10 years ago, but this is a different scheme under Knowles. Any compromise takes away from Knowles’ scheme and the reason why he was hired. LJ should have applied for the job and/or retired if he has a disagreement with Knowles (LJ’s boss).  

Who would you replace Day with that can walk in now and immediately win at an elite level? Who among active coaches has the best record against top 5 teams and what’s their record? Kirby Smart struggles against Alabama regularly, even when his teams are “better”. Oregon is on par with Ohio State’s talent level. In fact, many fans picked Ohio State to lose this game preseason because of the home field advantage. It wasn’t until Ohio State looked good in all three phases that the expectations changed to Ohio State winning. Some fans need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. In years past, Ohio State wouldn’t have seen a team as talented as Oregon until the playoffs or BCS. The game was an eye opener for the coaches and players. Better to lose this way now and adjust than in the one-and-done playoffs.