Ohio State head coach Ryan Day speaks to the media Monday before the Buckeyes’ playoff game against Tennessee Saturday night. Credit: Sandra Fu | Photo Editor
The Buckeyes’ first-ever home playoff game looms.
No. 8 seed Ohio State is set to take on ninth-seeded Tennessee in the first round of the College Football Playoffs 8 p.m. Saturday at Ohio Stadium.
These are the three biggest “UpDAYtes” from head coach Ryan Day’s Monday press conference at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
Luke Montgomery and offensive line changes
With injury-related losses to linemen Josh Simmons, Seth McLaughlin and Zen Michalski, Day has been forced to make significant changes to Ohio State’s decimated offensive line throughout the season.
Though he’s received limited playing time during the regular season,Montgomery will be in the mix for considerable snaps at guard ahead of the playoffs, Day said.
“Coming out of the Indiana game and then after assessing the last game we feel like Luke deserves an opportunity,” Day said.
Day said Montgomery, who has mainly taken reps at left guard in practice, will share snaps with Austin Siereveld and Tegra Tshabola, who respectively started at left and right guard in the previous game against Michigan.
Adapting to outgoing transfers
Since the culmination of the regular season, six Buckeyes have already announced they will be transferring from Ohio State, according to prior Lantern reporting.
Among those who’ve entered the portal are wide receivers Kojo Antwi and Jayden Ballard, offensive lineman Miles Walker, linebacker Gabe Powers and quarterback Devin Brown.
Day noted that although Antwi, Ballard and Powers will not be on Saturday’s roster, Brown and Walker will play with the Buckeyes through the playoffs even though they’ve entered the transfer portal.
“Julian [Sayin]’s getting a lot of reps in there, but [Brown] right now is the backup quarterback,” Day said.
Day gave praise to Brown for sticking it out with the Buckeyes through the end of the football season.
“It’s not an easy thing to do, but I give him credit for wanting to finish the season the right way,” Day said.
Tennessee and the College Football Playoff
The Volunteers rank No. 4 in total defense, allowing just 278.2 yards per game. Tennessee also ranks No. 8 in total offense, racking up 462.9 yards per contest, according to the NCAA’s website.
Day praised the Volunteers for their balance as a team, noting Ohio State’s defense must be aware of Tennessee’s high-flying offense, while the Buckeye offensive line will need to contend with Tennessee’s deep and strong defensive front.
“They’re a very good team,” Day said. “I give Tennessee a lot of credit, they’re well coached and they have a great attack and so, you know, we have to do a great job of getting lined up in [tempo] situations.”
With multiple Buckeyes leaving the team, Day said he is doing his best to keep his team focused on the Volunteers.
“The No. 1 focus is Tennessee right now but, as you know, you can’t just live in a vacuum and we have to plan for the future,” Day said. “The fact that you know these players are having to make a decision right now knowing that the playoffs haven’t even started yet is very difficult on them, it’s difficult on us and that’s just the way it is.”
