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.
— FOLKS (@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
show me on this doll where the snow flurries hurt you, Gene
— karen’s last ziti (@AGMichaelScarn) February 16, 2022
I honestly can’t imagine my team being this sawft ? pic.twitter.com/SHAwOU1b7C
— TW (@TWeso11) February 16, 2022
Give it till 2030 before this team bolts for the SEC. Maybe earlier #soft https://t.co/VnAtJgl5e7
— fake mike woodson (@MikeWoodsonFake) February 16, 2022
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. (@_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 (@GoBlueMcCue) 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.