Ryan Day points to one key area Ohio State must improve

The Ohio State Buckeyes certainly aren't in a bad position this year, holding the No. 5 spot in the AP Top 25 Poll and having a 4-1 overall record and 2-0 record in the Big Ten. But that doesn't mean there aren't areas of improvement.

Head coach Ryan Day is making it clear that he sees some areas this team could and should improve, especially if they're looking to get to the championship game. During a news conference on Tuesday, Day opened up about one area of the team that he thinks needs work.

Ryan Day says the Ohio State Buckeyes need to improve in a key area

First, the good stuff. He praised the team's running game and talked about some things going right for the Buckeyes.

"I think our running game right now when you look at the efficiency is solid, but we want to be more explosive still. We want to create bigger runs," Day said, according to the Associated Press (h/t WBNS News). "I think that they're there to be had, but that's everybody involved with it."

Now, as for what needs work, he points to special teams. For example, punter Joe McGuire botched one of his two attempts to get the opponent deep, while kicker Connor Hawkins didn't make an important 40-yard try in last weekend's matchup.

"Overall, when we look at the consistency of kicking field goals — not good enough," Day said. "When we look at our return yards, we need to be better just across the board.

"We have an opportunity to pooch the ball inside the 10-yard line, that has to get done, so it's a challenge to everybody in the program. We've got to get better in all four phases of special teams."

It's refreshing to see a team doing well that still knows it can't coast. The Buckeyes take on the Maryland Terrapins (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten), an unranked team this week. But things get far more challenging for the Buckeyes after that. Showdowns against No. 7 Indiana, No. 19 USC and No. 13 Oregon await.