Here’s what Ryan Day said ahead of Ohio State’s opening showdown vs. Minnesota

Fresh off its fourth straight B1G title, Ohio State is set to open the 2021 season this week against Minnesota.

With Justin Fields now playing for the Bears on Chicago’s lakefront, redshirt freshman CJ Stroud will take over at QB1 this season. The Buckeyes were picked to finish first in the B1G East preseason poll this season, once again entering the year with championship expectations.

Buckeyes coach Ryan Day met with the media this morning and discussed a wide variety of topics, from the quarterback situation to wide receiver depth to some breaking news: he’s shaving his majestic beard.

Here are some highlights from his press conference.

Ryan Day said he will shave before Thursday's game: "the beard has to go.. I’m not gonna coach with a beard. My wife and I had a conversation about it. I’m too superstitious.”

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) August 30, 2021

Ryan Day says six wide receivers will be in the rotation for Ohio State on Monday, with Julian Fleming, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka backing up Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) August 30, 2021

#Buckeyes Ryan Day won't keep his impressive beard for the season opener against Minnesota. Will be shaved in next 24-48 hours.

"I'm not going to coach with a beard. I'm too superstitious."

Day said he talked it over with his wife but concluded, "The beard has to go."

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) August 30, 2021

Ryan Day said he thinks Jack Sawyer will see playing time in Ohio State's defensive end rotation on Thursday.

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) August 30, 2021

Ryan Day said he will shave his beard in the next 24 hours. "The beard has to go." Said he's too superstitious to coach with it

— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) August 30, 2021

Ryan Day on if he likes starting the season with a Big Ten game: “I'll tell you after the game on Thursday night.”

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) August 30, 2021

Ryan Day on how TreVeyon Henderson could fit into the running back rotation: “Early on, the guys who have played a little bit, we're gonna lean on them, but Tre's gonna get in there.”

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) August 30, 2021

Ryan Day on Thayer Munford getting the Block O jersey: “He's been through a lot in his career … and he's done everything the right way … He just has the respect of everybody around here.”

Day says Munford is available to play against Minnesota despite missing time in camp.

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) August 30, 2021

Ryan Day lists Tommy Eichenberg, Dallas Gant, Cody Simon, Steele Chambers and K'Vaughan Pope as linebackers who could all see playing time along with Teradja Mitchell.

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) August 30, 2021

Ryan Day: “I feel good going into this game, but you just don't know what you've got until you get out there.”

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) August 30, 2021

Ryan Day said Palaie Gaoteote still hasn't gotten a decision from the NCAA.

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) August 30, 2021

Ryan Day says a backup quarterback will only play with the game on the line if Ohio State needs him to. Day isn't ready to name a No. 2 quarterback right now. It's C.J. Stroud's show.

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) August 30, 2021