Buckeyes at full strength for Big Ten Championship Game

INDIANAPOLIS — Ohio State was banged up on the offensive side of the football for most of November. Last week, though, the Buckeyes were back at full strength for the rivalry win over Michigan.

A week later, they’re again at full strength, taking on Indiana with all starters on both sides of the ball available for the Big Ten championship.

Yes, superstar wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate will both be ready to go for the Buckeyes after returning to action last week against the Wolverines. Smith missed just one game before that with a lower body injury. Tate, meanwhile, missed three games in November before his return against Michigan. Both caught a touchdown pass in the rivalry win.

“I think having Jeremiah and Carnell back, it was awesome to have those guys out there,” quarterback Julian Sayin said after the win.

Smith, of course, had the game’s opening touchdown in the Big House on Saturday, a 35-yard strike from Julian Sayin early in the second quarter. He finished the day with just three grabs for 40 yards, but his second grab of the afternoon was undoubtedly his most impactful.

Tate, meanwhile, delivered a moment that will live in rivalry lore; he caught a 50-yard towering throw from Sayin in the third quarter for a touchdown to give Ohio State an insurmountable two-score lead against the Wolverines. He finished the afternoon with five catches for 82 yards and that touchdown, which featured a long stare into the Big House’s student section after he silenced it.

Now they’re both ready for action against Indiana in the Big Ten title game on Saturday night. And Ohio State will be at full strength in a trophy game before the College Football Playoff.

The full availability report from the program is now confirmed, making note that Ohio State doesn’t detail injury or disciplinary matters.

Questionable for Ohio State

N/A

Out

DE Logan George
SAF Malik Hartford
WR De’Zie Jones
QB/RB Mason Maggs
WR Quincy Porter
DT Ahmen Tounkara