COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 18: A general view of Ohio Stadium as more than 99,000 fans packed in to watch the annual Ohio State Spring Game on April 18, 2015 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)If a College Football Playoff expansion goes through as expected, some of the eligible teams will likely host games in the early rounds.
On Wednesday, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith shared his plan if the Buckeyes are selected to host a postseason game sometime in the future. He believes that an expansion to a 12-team playoff is inevitable.
“Gene Smith said that if Ohio State is selected to host a College Football Playoff game in the future, he would recommend playing indoors in Indianapolis rather than playing in Ohio Stadium. Thinks it would be better for the team not to have to play in bad weather,” Ohio State insider Dan Hope reported on Twitter.
Gene Smith said that if Ohio State is selected to host a College Football Playoff game in the future, he would recommend playing indoors in Indianapolis rather than playing in Ohio Stadium. Thinks it would be better for the team not to have to play in bad weather.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) February 16, 2022
Fans from around the college football world took to Twitter to react to this suggestion.
“An expanded college football playoff looks stupider by the day. You’d willingly give up a home field advantage? Imagine if the Packers were like, “Nah, too cold outdoors in Lambeau, we playing this game in Detroit’s dome.” So embarrassing,” one fan wrote.
“I think Gene is kind of missing the point on why people up here want to host games against southern teams late in the year…” another added.
“This cannot be real.. buckeye players need a NIL deal with Charmin #SAWFT,” another said.
https://t.co/F4dFjbKmou pic.twitter.com/kIQDdKRfb7
— Tate Baker (@jctb3793) February 16, 2022
https://t.co/C6smggRqez pic.twitter.com/h6MXjBcbSA
— not great bob (@danoverturf) February 16, 2022
The ability to move a game because of weather-related issues was revealed when the 12-team proposal was originally reported.
“First-round games are expected to be on the campus of the high seeds, despite some leagues pushing back on that item for weather-related issues. Host schools, especially those located in northern climates, can have the flexibility to move a game to a regionally located indoor stadium of their choice,” college football insider Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated reported back in November.
What do you think of Ohio State’s potential decision to give up home-field advantage?
