Michigan’s Kris Jenkins Reacts to Ohio State’s Cotton Bowl Loss
Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins shared his thoughts on Ohio State’s surprising 14-3 loss to Missouri in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. Jenkins, who had played against Ohio State earlier in the season, expressed surprise at the Buckeyes’ performance and noted the absence of key players, including Heisman finalist Marvin Harrison Jr.
Jenkins mentioned that, despite being rivals, there’s a level of respect for the opponent’s skill and performance. He highlighted Harrison’s talent and acknowledged that the game was tough to watch given the unexpected outcome and missing players.
Ohio State was without several key players and had to rely on its third-string quarterback, resulting in a challenging offensive performance with only 203 total yards. Jenkins commented on the impact of players opting out of bowl games, stating that teams should not be judged based on those performances, as the lineup is significantly different from the regular season.
When asked about the potential impact of the playoff expanding to 12 teams and the likelihood of players opting out of crucial playoff games, Jenkins expressed doubt. He suggested that teams with a genuine chance of winning the championship would likely retain key players who are considering NFL draft decisions or transfers, even with the extended potential schedule of 16 games.
Jenkins emphasized that the opportunity to compete for a national championship would motivate players to stay engaged, minimizing the likelihood of key contributors opting out in critical playoff situations.
