In a notable departure from usual practices, the Ohio State football team has decided not to issue an availability report ahead of their upcoming Friday contest against Texas at the Cotton Bowl. Traditionally, Big Ten teams are expected to publish these reports two hours before kickoff. The Buckeyes had adhered to this protocol throughout the regular season and during their playoff matches against Tennessee and Oregon. However, this time around, they have chosen a different path, aligning with actions taken by other teams like Penn State in recent games.

The decision to forego the pre-game report comes as part of a broader trend seen in the College Football Playoff. Earlier this week, a conference spokesperson clarified that Penn State was not obligated to provide such updates for their CFP semifinals game. Similarly, the Nittany Lions also chose not to share player availability details before their quarterfinal match against Boise State. This move suggests a shift in how teams handle transparency about player status leading up to major games.

Since mid-November, Ohio State's availability reports have contained little noteworthy information. Center Seth McLaughlin was declared out for the season after suffering an Achilles tendon injury. Additionally, left tackle Josh Simmons has been sidelined since he sustained a season-ending injury in an October game against Oregon. These absences have already been well-documented, reducing the urgency for frequent updates.

The absence of an availability report does not necessarily indicate any significant changes in the roster. Fans and analysts will need to wait until warmups to see if there are any unexpected absences among the players. The Buckeyes' preparation for the Cotton Bowl continues as they gear up for what promises to be an intense matchup against Texas.