The Buckeyes’ ability to stop the run is a question on which the outcome of the Rose Bowl could hinge.
That pursuit was made no easier for Ohio State Monday, when Haskell Garrett – the team’s top interior defensive lineman – announced he would opt out, leaving the Buckeye front four without a first-team All-Big Ten and second-team All-American performer. On Tuesday, the absence of sixth-year senior tackle Antwuan Jackson at Ohio State’s open practice suggested the unit might be without another key contributor.
In place of one if not both of them, a rotation of defensive tackles with varying degrees of experience will have to pick up the slack in order to slow a Utah rushing attack that ranks 13th in the nation with an average of 216.