Ohio State without nearly two dozen players for B1G Championship Game
Ohio State will be missing some key players in Saturday’s B1G Championship Game, including star receiver Chris Olave.
The absence of Olave was reported early Saturday morning and was quickly followed by reports that Baron Browning and P Drue Chrisman would also be out. Ohio State eventually confirmed those absences and a number of other ones – including freshman receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba – with its status report.
The good news is that four key players that were out for the Michigan State game, including LB Tuf Borland and a host of starting offensive lineman, did not appear as out on the status report.
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ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg shared the full status report of 22 players listed as unavailable:
Here’s the full list: pic.twitter.com/nuGVh7ctWG
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) December 19, 2020
In relation to Marcus Hooker, listed as a game-time decision, Dan Hope with Eleven Warriors is reporting that Hooker is not suited up for warmups in Indianapolis:
Warmups have started here at Lucas Oil Stadium, and Marcus Hooker is in sweats watching from the sidelines, so it doesn't look like he'll be playing today.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) December 19, 2020
Remember that Ohio State does not specify why players are out for the game. This list includes injuries, potential positive cases for COVID-19, and contact tracing measures related to the virus.
Along with the player absences, Rittenberg reported Ohio State will be missing WR coach Brian Hartline and LB coach Al Washington for the game:
Ohio State doesn't specify why any players or coaches miss games. Assistants Brian Hartline and Al Washington also are out. Four starters listed as out for Michigan State — LB Tuf Borland and OLs Munford, Myers and Petit-Frere — do not appear on the report.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) December 19, 2020
Will these absences swing momentum in favor of the Wildcats, or will Ryan Day be able to lead the shorthanded Buckeyes to the B1G title? Kickoff is for 12 pm EST on FOX.