Gene Smith draws criticism from fans, media after comments about Ohio State potentially hosting CFP game

Gene Smith, as Ohio State’s athletic director, has a lot of sway when it comes to Big Ten matters.

However, on Wednesday, one of his comments was roundly dismissed by fans and media members alike.

While discussing College Football Playoff expansion and the possibility of higher seeds hosting first-round games on their campuses, Smith said he’d rather the Buckeyes play indoors:

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

Obviously, fans and media were quick to point out that Ohio State lost to Michigan in the snow this past year. Many fans also said the Buckeyes might as well move to the SEC with an attitude like this. See some of the Twitter reaction below:

I get that Ohio State is a pass-first team now, but can't wrap my head around why it would be better not to play at Ohio Stadium against any opponent. https://t.co/VDS6KTS8JW

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) February 16, 2022

Lame idea. Campus playoff games would be tremendous.

— Not Sure (@mbowser06) February 16, 2022

Uh, hey Gene, if I could chime in here. That’s kinda the whole point w/ Buckeye Nation. Like, wouldn’t it be cool for an SEC team to play up north in mid/late December weather… ¯_(ツ)_/¯

— Derrick Harter (@dharter444) February 16, 2022

https://twitter.com/AGMichaelScarn/status/1493995710496354304

I honestly can’t imagine my team being this sawft ? pic.twitter.com/SHAwOU1b7C

— World #1 Vikings Fan (Official) (@TWeso11) February 16, 2022

https://twitter.com/MikeWoodsonFake/status/1494000862221553664

Have wondered for years if Ohio State might be a better fit in the SEC and here ya go … https://t.co/jcKiVQQzEO

— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) February 16, 2022

Ohio State's opponent will support this as well. https://t.co/reTNWOujNd

— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) February 16, 2022

Kick Ohio State out of the Big Ten for this. Incredibly soft https://t.co/oZFKeyCRVE

— DMy (@MikeOxdragon) February 16, 2022

For all the northerners crying about southern teams never going up north…Gene don’t even want that lmao https://t.co/ohgk6AWwZy

— Cincinnatus C./Can you make throws…? (@_Moziah) February 16, 2022

Ohio State should just join the SEC at this point. Scared of a little snow. https://t.co/cMlGBeeEDv

— Trevor McCue (@trevormccue) February 16, 2022

For all the talk about SEC teams potentially not being able to handle the cold northern weather in December, it’s interesting to hear a Big Ten AD even admit the conditions might not be ideal.