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Tommy Togiai, Tyreke Smith Among 13 Ohio State Players Ruled Out vs. Alabama
January 12, 2021
Thirteen Ohio State players will miss the College Football Playoff National Championship Game against Alabama on Monday night.
Kicker Blake Haubeil, defensive tackle Tommy Togiai and defensive end Tyreke Smith are among the notable absences, per ESPN's Tom VanHaaren:
Haubeil announced on Instagram he'd be out for COVID-19-related reasons.
College coaches aren't required to disclose the extent to which a team could be impacted by COVID-19. Because of that, fans have often been left to wonder until the last minute who would and wouldn't be available to play.
Questions about Ohio State arose last week after AL.com's John Talty and Matt Zenitz reported the Buckeyes "informed key parties" they might be missing a position group when they played the Crimson Tide.
Togiai has 27 total tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss in eight games. Smith's impact has been more muted, but he had a big sack on Clemson star Trevor Lawrence in the fourth quarter that caused a fumble. Their collective absence will be felt against an explosive Alabama offense.
Haubeil, meanwhile, was 5-of-7 on field goals. Dominic DiMaccio is the only other Ohio State kicker to connect on a field goal this season, which came from 22 yards. The kicking game hasn't been a vital piece of Ohio State's offense, but losing Haubeil could alter how Ryan Day operates once he gets inside Crimson Tide territory.