ESPN's Paul Finebaum sends ultimatum to Ryan Day regarding Ohio State-Michigan rivalry

Although Ohio State helped earn the Big Ten Conference consecutive college football national titles, there is one area where it's struggling to find on-field success.

For the last four seasons, the Buckeyes have fallen short against their long-time conference rival, Michigan, in the contest known as "The Game." An annual tradition, the Wolverines' 13-10 upset this past November put a dark label on Day before Ohio State ran the table to win Day's first national title as coach.

Entering this season, ESPN's Paul Finebaum says Day must figure out a solution to turn the tide. If not, it could spell disaster.

"And remember, Ryan Day, in addition to trying to repeat, he’s got to figure out a way to beat Michigan," Finebaum said. "He hasn’t done it in so long, I can’t even remember. I think it’s been four straight losses. You just can’t lose to your biggest rival in the biggest game of the year, every single time, and hope you have a good lifestyle, in spite of a national championship on his trophy case.”

This is a slightly different stance than the one Finebaum took in January, however, while also appearing on "Get Up."

"He has been fully vindicated," Finebaum said then. "Yes, Michigan is important, losing four in a row. But winning the national championship trumps everything in the poker game of college football. And today, he stands on the top of it."

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If Day can finally beat Michigan, his Buckeyes' legacy will arguably be looked at much differently.

Come November, Day attempts to seek revenge.