To beard or not to beard? Superstitious Day decides

it.

Ryan Day doesn't want to do it. It has become a part of him. He likes

But on a football team, everybody must sacrifice for the greater good.

So with sadness in his voice, Day divulged on Monday that the jet-black beard he has cultivated all offseason will be no more.

“It has to go, probably in the next 24 hours,” the Ohio State coach said.

Day was peppered with questions on various topics Monday at his press conference as his Buckeyes prepare to play Minnesota in their season-opener Thursday night. The one about the beard seemed to land the hardest as he explained his rationale for shaving it.

USA TODAY SPORTS Ryan Day, seen here at Big Ten media days in July, said he'll shave his beard before Ohio State's opener Thursday at Minnesota.