Ohio State can’t seem to catch a break these days. A few weeks ago, starting left tackle Josh Simmons suffered a season-ending injury in the Buckeyes’ loss to Oregon, and the team couldn’t afford to lose another lineman.
On Tuesday night, the college football playoff rankings were revealed, and the Buckeyes came in at number two, which made many fans happy. However, those same fans’ smiles flipped upside down a few hours later because Ohio State lost another star player for the season.
Ohio State Loses Transfer Star
McLaughlin transferred from Alabama this offseason and has started all ten regular-season games for the Buckeyes.
Ohio State now has two areas on their offensive line that have taken major hits due to injury, and they weren’t in a great position to lose anybody in the first place.
The Buckeyes’ offensive line is much weaker than other areas on the team, and now Ohio State is going to have to make sure they play great defense because getting into a high-scoring game might not be possible anymore.
Ohio State Buckeyes center Seth McLaughlin (56) blocks for quarterback Will Howard (18) after the snap during the first half of the LifeSports spring football game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday.
Losing the starting left tackle and center will greatly affect the Buckeyes’ desire to run the ball, and a running game that was so good over the past few weeks might be taking a giant step back.
Ohio State was able to overcome an injured quarterback and win the title in 2014, but losing two great offensive linemen is going to be an even greater test if they want to win the first-ever 12-team playoff.
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