Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka makes prediction for Buckeyes' season: “We're going to get it done”

For three years in a row, Ohio State’s season ended in heartbreaking defeat.

After dominating the rivalry against Michigan at the beginning of the 21st century, with a 17-2 record from 2001-2019, the Buckeyes have now lost three straight to the Wolverines.

All three matches were top-five duels, with Ohio State finishing second in each. So for the Buckeyes, virtually all national championship hopes since the beginning of the decade ended on Thanksgiving weekend.

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There have been loud calls in Columbus to fire Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day, but up-and-coming wide receiver Emeka Egbuka scoffs at that notion.

“I believe Coach Day was appointed to this role for a reason. I don't believe there are accidents in life,” Egbuka said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital. “He is our head coach and we will support him.”

“He's always got our backs, so the least we can do is support him. We have complete faith in his ability to coach us and lead us to the promised land. We're just going to rally under his flag and get this done.”

Egbuka has one year left to help the Buckeyes over the hump, and he believes this year's team is the right one to do it, even though Marvin Harrison Jr. is now in the NFL.

Emeka Egbuka (2) of the Ohio State Buckeyes scores a touchdown against Ja'Den McBurrows (18) of the Michigan Wolverines during the second quarter of a game at Michigan Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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“You look at some of the best teams in the history of college football. They all have great leadership qualities,” Egbuka said. “They had experienced guys who all knew what they were doing and had the best interests of the program at heart. The amount of guys who have chosen to come back to my class, I know them on a personal level, so to speak. And I know the goals that they have, and they're not selfishly motivated.”

“They are great leaders. We have a very experienced team, so they have all the intangibles you need to have a good season. Now we just need to put it all on the field. We are approaching the first game and we are excited to show the world what we have been training for.”

Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Ohio State Buckeyes carries the ball during a game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium on November 18, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Jason Mowry/Getty Images)

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The Buckeyes are ranked second in the AP preseason poll, behind only Georgia. Michigan, the defending national champion, is ranked ninth.

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