Ohio State is going into its biggest game of the season with some major uncertainty at a key position.
Earlier this month, the Buckeyes lost starting left tackle Josh Simmons for the season with a knee injury. Simmons was replaced by Zen Michalski, but during the fourth quarter of Saturday’s 21-17 win over Nebraska, Michalski too went down with an injury. The Floyds Knobs, Ind. native was eventually carted to the locker room.
With Michalski out, left guard Donovan Jackson slid one spot over to left tackle, with sophomore reserve Luke Montgomery taking Jackson’s place. This week, Ohio State is preparing for multiple scenarios at the left tackle position.
Asked Tuesday morning who will start, Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day said no decision has been made.
“We’re still gonna work through it,” Day said, via Chase Brown of Eleven Warriors. “I’m not gonna throw that out there yet. We’ll see how the week works. We’ll see how Zen (Michalski) comes in today. We’ll keep going through it.”
Obviously, any bit of variability along the offensive line heading into a matchup with No. 3 Penn State in Happy Valley is not something Ohio State was hoping for, but they have to play the cards they’ve been dealt at this point.
At 6-1 on the season, the Buckeyes can not afford another regular season loss if they want to make the College Football Playoff. Ohio State has won its last seven matchups with Penn State, but the Nittany Lions will have the home field advantage Saturday.
Kickoff is set for noon ET on FOX.
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