Ohio State absolutely rolled over Bowling Green in the team's 2016 season opener and, on the surface, everything went very well in Columbus. However, at least one thing went very wrong for Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes, as the team will be without starting defensive tackle Tracy Sprinkle for the rest of the season.
Sprinkle, who entered the season at the top of the depth chart in his junior year, suffered an injury to his patella tendon in the opener, and Meyer had this to say about his status moving forward (h/t ESPN.com):
"Patella tendon injury is what they're telling me, which is not good. It's a surgery and a season-ender is what I've been told.
"... That's the worst part of this darned game is when a guy gets hurt, especially a guy who has committed so much to this team and the program. Our prayers are with Tracy."
On the bright side for Ohio State, Meyer and his staff have been tremendous on the recruiting trail and that should indicate quality depth behind Sprinkle. The 6-foot-3, 293-pound defensive tackle was a rotation member of the 2015 defensive line, but Sprinkle's absence could be mitigated a bit if youngsters like redshirt freshman Dre'Mont Jones and redshirt freshman Davon Hamilton are able to step in and play effectively.
The Buckeyes looked the part of a legitimate national title contender on Saturday, but it remains to be seen how the team will respond both against a quality opponent and without arguably its best defensive tackle.
