Ohio State head coach Ryan Day walks onto the field before the Big Ten Championship game against Wisconsin Dec. 7. Ohio State won 34-21. Credit: Cori Wade | Assistant Photo Editor

Ryan Day hasn’t had time to think as of late.

Recruiting, travel, award ceremonies, bowl preparations and practice have filled the Ohio State head coach’s schedule since the Buckeyes captured a Big Ten title against Wisconsin Dec. 7.

But he hasn’t lost sight of the most important goal: beating No. 3 Clemson to earn a shot at a national title.

“It’s back to focusing on Clemson, winning this game,” Day said. “Then again, once we get done with the season, we’ll sit back and think. But there’s no time for that now.”

Bowl preparations are shorter this year than in years past.

Both the Buckeyes and Tigers have three weeks to prepare between their respective conference championship games and the College Football Playoff.

For Ohio State, it’s the quickest turnaround from regular season to bowl game in program history.

“This is the situation. Now we’ve got to deal with it, maximize our situation better than our opponent,” Day said. “That’s what it comes down to.”

While the chance to make history as the first Ohio State team to go 15-0 will be a motivating factor for the team, Day said it’s something that hasn’t been mentioned up to this point. 

However, when the time comes, that will be Day’s point of emphasis, he said.

“That is going to be part of the message, though, that if you want to be known as one of the best of all time, be up there with the national champs, you want to be in rare air, here we go, this is the push right here,” Day said.

The Buckeyes enter as a slight underdog against the Tigers, the defending national champions on a 28-game winning streak.

Ohio State slipped to No. 2 in the CFP rankings after its win against No. 8 Wisconsin, LSU jumping ahead to No. 1 to meet No. 4 Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl.

“I don’t think that’s on any of our minds,” redshirt sophomore center Josh Myers said. “One of the first things we said after was, ‘We’re still in this thing. We’re No. 2, and we’re playing Clemson. We’re in the College Football Playoffs. What else could you ask for?’”

Schematically, Day’s offensive masterminding will face its highest hurdle to date in Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables.

Under Venables, Clemson’s defense has finished in the top 3 nationally for scoring defense each of the past three seasons. In the Fiesta Bowl, Clemson’s No. 1 scoring defense will clash with Ohio State’s No. 1 scoring offense.

“Over the last decade or more, Venables has been one of the best defensive coordinators in the country,” Day said. “They continue to do really good on defense. A lot of good players, a lot of good talent over there. The back end is as good as we’ll see.”

Day and Ohio State are full steam ahead for the team’s toughest opponent thus far.

“We still have a lot of work to do because this game is on you right now. No time to sit back and think,” Day said. “In the past, there was another week where you could prepare for this game. I have not played in this game before. Talking to the other coaches who have, this game is rushed more than it ever has been.”