Ohio State fans knew that their team would have some degree of manpower shortage in the College Football Playoff national championship game against No. 1 Alabama. The question was how limited the Buckeyes would be. About an hour before the game started, that question was answered.
Again, Scarlet and Gray will not have two key players on the defensive line in the nasal guard Tommy Togiai and defensive end Tyreke Smith and a key reserve offensive line player Dawand Jones. Ohio will also miss the kickoff Blake Haubeil and back running back Miyan Williams among the 13 players who will not compete in the national championship.
Togiai is the group’s biggest loss to the Buckeyes. The nose guard was the one that gave the most snaps to any defensive striker and the second largest to any defensive striker, second only to the senior defensive end of the fifth year Jonathon Cooper. In seven games this season, Togiai has 23 tackles in total, 4.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks and a forced fumble.
Smith was part of the rotation at the defensive end throughout the year, limiting his overall output to just eight tackles, one sack and one tackle for a loss, but it was an important part of Scarlet and Gray’s rushing pass against Clemson, playing his second to most photos of the season.
Williams, a freshman, has only 64 yards on 10 shipments in 2020, but almost half of that came in the last two games against Northwestern and Clemson, when he showed good production on limited loads.
Haubeil has suffered a groin injury since the second game of the season against Penn State, but confirmed that he tested positive for COVID-19. The kicker is 5 out of 7 in goals this year and 24 out of 24 in extra points, but the state of Ohio has limited its use throughout the season.
Game time decision
none
Out of stock
Without Togiai, Ohio’s rush defense, which is the second best in the country, will be tested. Buckeyes will likely switch to other defensive tackles to play alongside Haskell Garrett, included Antwuan Jackson and Taron Vincent. Scarlet and gray will return Zach Harrison and Tyler Friday to help with the depth at the defensive end.
Master Teague could also return to running back after missing the second half against Northwestern and the entire Sugar Bowl, providing a reliable backup for the red-hot Trey Sermon when necessary with Williams out.
Freshman Jake Seibert will have to enter the big stage with Haubeil and DiMaccio out. Seibert attempted a failed field goal and an extra 13 points in games against Rutgers and Indiana this year.
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The national championship game is scheduled to start shortly after 8 pm Eastern Time on ESPN.