Jeremiah Smith leads Buckeyes into semifinal vs. Texas
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Jeremiah Smith celebrates a first down reception during the Buckeyes' Rose Bowl win over Oregon. Photo: Jeff Speer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Ohio State Buckeyes are one win away from playing for their ninth national championship, thanks in part to the brightest star in college football.
Why it matters: Freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith is shattering records, electrifying pro scouts and turning the Buckeyes into national title favorites ahead of their semifinal matchup against Texas on Friday night.
Catch up quick: Ohio State entered the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff as the No. 8 seed with middle-of-the-pack title odds.
- The Buckeyes made surprisingly easy work of their first two opponents, sprinting to huge early leads in a 42-17 win over Tennessee in Columbus and a 41-21 domination of Oregon in the Rose Bowl.
🐮 Now they face a talented Texas team in the Cotton Bowl, to be played in the Longhorns' backyard of Arlington (unless Texas can't handle a little sleet).
Flashback: In an embarrassing loss to Michigan, Smith had five receptions and a touchdown but managed just 35 yards, infuriating Buckeye diehards.
- But he's exploded in the playoffs, racking up 13 catches for 290 yards and four touchdowns while looking like a man against boys.
Good news, fans: Unless he decides to sit out, Smith will stay in Columbus for at least two more seasons.
By the numbers: He is already the presumed first pick in the 2027 NFL Draft (his first chance to go pro) and has rewritten the Ohio State freshman record book:
- Most receptions: 70
- Most receiving yards: 1,224
- Most receiving touchdowns: 14
- Most receiving yards in a game: 187
- Most 100-yard receiving games: 5
Follow the money: Smith isn't cheap. His $2.4 million in name, image and likeness (NIL) deals and roster value is the sixth-most-valuable in college football, and he has endorsement deals with Red Bull, Designer Shoe Warehouse and Chipotle.
💭 My thought bubble: Smith plays a higher-profile position and has more opportunities for flashy plays, but sophomore phenom Caleb Downs has been just as incredible on defense (and is nearly as expensive) and deserves a lot of hype.
Between the lines: OSU's two playoff wins were shocking not just because of their scope, but because they came just a few weeks after many fans called for head coach Ryan Day's firing over the rivalry game defeat.
- Day's 1-4 record against OSU's biggest rival even had Dispatch columnist Rob Oller publicly contemplating his ouster.
- Fan complaints have quieted … for now.
What's next: With a win, the Buckeyes would reach the Jan. 20 title game in Atlanta and face the winner of tonight's Notre Dame-Penn State semifinal.