Rapid Reaction: Buckeyes motivated for Rose Bowl, supportive of teammates opting out of Utah matchup
COLUMBUS — Ohio State is preparing for the Rose Bowl without four of its top players.
And the guys that are getting ready to play Utah are perfectly fine with that.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who now becomes the focus of the Buckeyes passing game against Utah, said he understands and supports the decision of Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson to sit out on Saturday. Ohio State preaches brotherhood and that means being supportive.
“I’m definitely going to miss playing with those guys. It was fun playing with them — great, great dudes on and off the field,” Smith-Njigba said Monday. “I’m happy for them, I’m happy they’re happy. I know they’re going to do great things at the next level, and they taught me a lot.
“I just appreciate their time. For me, to show my appreciation I just have to go out there and ball for them. I know that’s what they want to see, so I’m excited for that.”
Not everyone appreciates the decision, and that’s OK. The game of college football is changing and roster changes are a part of the game that every program will have to deal with. Another change that’s become a common issue for schools around the country?
Coaching changes. Ohio State has a new defensive coordinator and though Jim Knowles isn’t yet with the Buckeyes full-time, his presence looms large in Southern California. For the current Buckeyes staff, there’s uncertainty around the future but secondary coach and de facto defensive coordinator Matt Barnes believes Ohio State has been able to stay focused on the task at hand.
“We’re all professionals,” Barnes said on Tuesday morning. “I can see from the outside looking in [the perception of uncertainty], but we’re all professionals. We understand how this business works.
“Just as a film junkie myself, what little bit of Oklahoma State I had a chance to watch, it’s an exciting defense. [Knowles] does an outstanding job. I’m excited for the future of our program defensively … Right now, I’m just trying to go win this game.”
There are a handful of big days ahead for Ohio State. The Buckeyes are a 4.5-point favorite against the Utes and want to end the season with a big win.
But the uncertainty is hard to ignore.
Lettermen Row senior writer Austin Ward is in California for the Rose Bowl and he was joined by Jeremy Birmingham to discuss what Ohio State is dealing with this week.
Check out the video below and head to the Lettermen Row YouTube channel for more coverage of the Rose Bowl and all Buckeyes sports all year long.
