Number 3 Ohio State will be without two starters and several other key reserves against number 2 Clemson in the semifinal of the College Football Playoff on Friday at the Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.
Starting guard Harry Miller and running Master Teague III are both out, according to the team’s availability report. Defensive end Zach Harrison, who has two sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss in a reserve roll, will also miss the game, as will reserve defender Tyler Friday.
Clemson announced defensive end that Xavier Thomas will miss the game. Thomas was in “protocols,” said coach Dabo Swinney earlier this week. Thomas, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 in the spring, has 3.5 sacks and four tackles for loss in seven games (one start).
Teague started each of Ohio State’s first six games, while Miller started them all except Michigan State. Teague leads Ohio State in both carry (89) and hasty touchdowns (6), although Trey Sermon has recently come on with 443 rushing yards in his past two games, including a 331 team record against Northwestern in the Big Ten championship game. Freshman Miyan Williams is likely to see more action behind Sermon Against Clemson.
Ohio State does not state the reasons for the absence of players, although several Buckeyes that appeared in previous availability reports later confirmed that they tested positive for COVID-19. Star wide receiver Chris Olave, starting linebacker Baron Browning and top punter Drue Chrisman, who all missed the Big Ten championship game against Northwestern, did not appear in Friday’s report and are expected to play.
Olave has 36 receptions for 528 yards and five touchdowns, while Browning is third on the team with 23 tackles, and has a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Safety Ronnie Hickman, who has five tackles this season, will be a game time decision for Ohio State. Starting quarterback Justin Fields, who injured the thumb on his throwing hand in the Big Ten title game, was not on the report.
Clemson completed his COVID-19 test before traveling to New Orleans. According to the Big Ten protocols, the Ohio State underwent a final round of testing Friday morning.