Obviously, this is the one game that means everything to this fanbase. Day knows that. I don't think there is any doubt that he cares about this game and really wants to win. I also believe that there is a huge emphasis on this game in the WHAC every season. But is there too much of an emphasis? 

One common theme in these games the last 4 years is that this team plays tight. The OSU teams that we've watched in The Game the last 4 years doesn't resemble the product that we see week-to-week. Uncharacteristic mistakes, play calling, lack of execution, conservative 4th down calls...the list goes on and on. We don't play the same way in The Game that we do the rest of the season.   

Day falls into this trap of trying to win The Game as teams have traditionally rather than play to his team's strengths. Day talks about "execution;" part of "executing" is the coaches putting the players in a position to succeed. Taking a retooled offensive line and ramming the ball into the one strength of the scum defense may have worked for some OSU teams in the past but it was the one way we lose this game. It certainly doesn't play to the strengths of this team. Day seems more concerned about winning the narrative then winning The Game. 

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting a different result. He isn't Tressel, he isn't Urban, he isn't Harbaugh; stop trying to win The Game like they did. Right now, Day is stuck in the shadows of past OSU teams and the current ones suffer. Forge a new identity and stop worrying about winning The Game the "right way;" just f***ing win it.