Ohio State AD Gene Smith on Ohio Stadium playoff games

 Columbus, Ohio State football fans may one day get a chance to shudder from a home playoff game.

   As BuckyTalk Subtext members previously reported, Smith told Cleveland.com on Friday that his position on hosting the game at Ohio Stadium has changed.  Earlier he talked about taking this type of game in house, but now he has no role.

   We will accommodate and host if necessary, Smith said.

   Smith developed his position after discussions with Big Ten athletic directors and others around the country.

   Under the terms of the 12-team playoff format adopted Friday, the top four seeds will receive first-round byes.  The first round of games will be held on campus or at other sites designated by the higher ranking institution.  For example, Ohio State gave up the option of moving the game to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

   Last February, Smith cautioned fans that this doesn't mean Alabama, Clemson or other warm-weather teams will be playing at Ohio Stadium in December.  His concern was not related to the general concept of snow or bad weather.  Instead he was concerned about the hard surface of the extreme cold field and what that might mean in terms of injury risk.

   As Smith pointed out, moving the game indoors created an opportunity for a clean field.

   Smith said Friday that he still has concerns about that cold region.  However, he said he remained curious and flexible about how he would play the game at Ohio Stadium.

   CFP Executive Director Bill Hancock said the option to play at an off-campus site was included to give teams a logistical option.  He said it was too early to say whether the CFP might have input into pursuing those games.  He theorized that it could encourage a team to move games if there were facility issues, such as locker room or press box space.

   However, those logistical problem does not apply to Ohio Stadium.

   Honestly, I don't know of many good reasons why the home team would want to do that, Hancock said.  I think his fans would love to see this playoff game in their own stadium.

   If you think about it, it will be one of the most important games ever played in that stadium.  It will be a joy for the fans of those four teams.

   Of course, if Ohio State wins the Big Ten Championship and earns a top four seed, everyone won't have to worry about where they will play their first-round games.