Ryan Day gave Ohio State Buckeyes fans some good news following Saturday’s 37-3 victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Buckeyes coach said linebacker Tommy Eichenberg is ready to go this coming weekend against the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines. Eichenberg missed both of Ohio State’s last two games, against the Michigan State Spartans on November 11 and yesterday’s contest against the Golden Gophers. Day said the Cleveland, Ohio product could have played against Minnesota, but was kept on the sideline just to be safe.

“Tommy (Eichenberg) was ready to play in this one, and I had to pull him back,” Day said. “It was almost a fistfight… I won.”

Day said later on in his press conference that there is “just too much on the line going forward” to force Eichenberg into action early, referring both to the coming conflict with the Wolverines, as well as the postseason. As for defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. and some of the other key pieces missing from the Buckeyes over the last handful of weeks, Day said updates should be available over the next few days.

“I’ll try to give you guys more of an update next week, but we’re expecting to have everybody back,” Day said. The Buckeyes will certainly benefit from having their defense at full strength against the Wolverines, who have emerged as one of the best offenses in college football.

Kick-off between the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes and No. 3 Michigan Wolverines is scheduled for 12 p.m. eastern on Saturday, November 25. Live coverage of the historic rivalry will air nationally on FOX.