Depth Chart: Backup Safety Erick Smith Absent From Ohio State's Lineup Ahead of Penn State Game

It's getting to the point in the college football season where you are what you are, no matter what anyone else says.

Six games deep into its 2015 slate, Ohio State remains No. 1 in the country. The Buckeyes host 5-1 Penn State Saturday in the first home night game of the season and are set to sport black uniforms against the Nittany Lions.

Ohio State released its depth chart for the game Tuesday afternoon.

Notes:

• The lone change from last week is the absence of sophomore backup safety Erick Smith. Safeties coach Chris Ash said Monday Smith "was banged up" and might miss the game against Penn State. The team has not released any information publicly of a presumed injury.
• Vonn Bell's new backup in place of Smith is Louisville transfer Jarrod Barnes, who walked on in June.
• Though J.T. Barrett played significant minutes — mainly in the red zone — Saturday against Maryland and scored three touchdowns, Cardale Jones remains the lone starter at quarterback.
• The battle at kicker continues, though graduate senior and Duke transfer Jack Willoughby's taken care of kickoff and field goal duties during Ohio State's first six games of 2015.