How Master Teague's Absence Impacts Ohio State Gameplan

Ohio State will miss starting running back Master Teague, along with 15 other players on Friday night. How will Teague's absence affect the Buckeyes' game plan?

Brendan Gulick | Jan 1, 2021

How Master Teague's Absence Impacts Ohio State Gameplan /

As the Buckeyes prepare to take the field for tonight's Sugar Bowl / College Football Playoff semifinal, they'll do so without their starting running back and starting left guard.

Considering how important it will be for the Buckeyes to run the football tonight to take some pressure off Justin Fields, how will Master Teague and Harry Miller's absence affect the Ohio State game plan?

Quite simply, it can't.

Master Teague has had a fine season for the Buckeyes and they will miss him. But Trey Sermon is coming off a monster performance and the Scarlet and Gray can't afford to vary from their plan. They have to run the ball. Good news is Steele Chambers is a Master Teague-style back and I would anticipate he'll see some touches tonight to space Sermon occasionally. Miyan Williams could also see some carries.

We specifically detailed how Ohio State can move the ball effectively against Clemson with out X's and O's breakdown yesterday. You can check that out here.

Ohio State still has a huge offensive line and frankly I think they can control the line of scrimmage tonight on both sides of the ball. Protect the ball, run Chambers on power plays and run Sermon/Williams on zone reads. It can still be a very effective night on the ground.

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Published Jan 1, 2021

BRENDAN GULICK

Brendan Gulick is the publisher for BuckeyesNow, Cleveland Baseball Insider and Cavs Insider on the FanNation Network. He is also an accomplished host and play-by-play voice on TV and radio, including on Big Ten Network and NCAA.com where he's called 45 NCAA national championships. Gulick is an update anchor and fill-in host at 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland, Ohio.