On Saturday (4 p.m. ET; BTN), Ohio State will be missing defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. and safety Lathan Ransom due to injuries. The No. 2 Buckeyes (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten) will get safety Josh Proctor back against the Golden Gophers (5-5, 3-4) after missing last week’s game due to a head injury.
This is according to the availability report that OSU sends out a few hours before each game. Ohio State does not explain why a player is on the report. Players are simply categorized as “questionable” or “out.” In theory, if someone does not appear on the report, it implies they are available to play.
Tommy Eichenberg, a middle linebacker, is categorized as questionable. He is suffering from an arm injury. The absence of wide receiver Emeka Egbuka from the report is obviously good news for the Buckeyes. He was forced to leave last week’s game after appearing to re-injure his ankle.
Devin Brown, the quarterback, is categorized as questionable.
Ohio State Availability Report vs Minnesota
Questionable
Out
What this means for Ohio State
Based on Coach Ryan Day’s recent response to inquiries about Hall, it’s not surprising that the defensive tackle won’t be playing today. The key question now is whether he’ll be prepared for the upcoming Michigan game in a week. Hall left last week’s Michigan State game after only 10 plays and didn’t return, resulting in more playing time for senior DT Ty Hamilton, who has been sharing time with Hall throughout the season. Tyreik Williams will start alongside Hamilton as usual, with redshirt freshman Hero Kanu stepping in as Williams’ backup at the 3-tech spot. It remains to be seen if Kanu will also play some 1-tech in Hall’s absence, or if true freshman Kayden McDonald will give Hamilton a break at the 1-tech position.
Coach Day clarified that Ransom won’t be playing “these next couple of weeks,” so his absence for a second consecutive game isn’t unexpected. The uncertainty surrounds whether Ransom’s season is entirely over or if he could return for the College Football Playoff if the Buckeyes make it. Without Ransom, there’s an increased workload for the talented sophomore Sonny Styles, and true freshman Malik Hartford is expected to see extended playing time for the second consecutive week.
The return of Proctor is undoubtedly positive, especially when looking ahead to next week’s game. For the current match against Minnesota, Proctor might get a few snaps, especially since it’s Senior Day, but the expectation is that the coaches will prioritize resting him for the upcoming clash against the Wolverines.
The Buckeyes are heavily favored by 27.5 points against the Golden Gophers. Stay tuned to Bucknuts for comprehensive coverage of the Ohio State-Minnesota game and all other Buckeye football updates.
Breaking down Ohio State-Minnesota recruiting weekend and big-time recruits
The recruiting weekend for Ohio State-Minnesota may not match the scale of the weekends when the Buckeyes hosted Penn State or Michigan State in terms of the sheer number of recruits present. Nevertheless, in the realm of talent, this weekend stands out on its own. The lineup includes one official visitor, as well as a minimum of two 5-star prospects, with a potential for a third.
Bucknuts provides a detailed breakdown of the event, offering insights into the notable visitors. Additionally, there’s a dedicated thread for Bucknuts members to stay updated on all the recruiting action throughout the weekend.
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