Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith is the best player in the country. He had two straight games of 200+ yards receiving against Illinois and Iowa. Quite frankly, he has shown that no one has been able to slow him down. Not even Texas was able to keep him under 100 yards receiving.
Smith is expected to be a big part of the game plan for the Ohio State Buckeyes this weekend. He is going to be a focal point of the Hoosiers' defensive game plan, as well. Indiana coach Curt Cignetti shared the best way to slow down Smith, and it's illegal.
Curt Cignett shares his plan to cover Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith
While speaking on The Triple Option, Cignetti was asked how he is going to be able to stop Smith. Cignetti essentially explained that the only way to do so is by adding an illegal number of players on the field.
"We're not allowed to play with 12 or 13, so we’re up the creek, I guess."
Cignetti has had to defend Smith in each of the last two seasons. In 2024 in Columbus, Smith finished that game with three catches for 34 yards. In the Big Ten Championship last season, Smith had eight catches for 144 yards. What IU did so well was limit everyone else instead.
That has been an issue this year. The Buckeyes haven't been able to have anyone else step up opposite Smith. He has pretty much been the threat at the wide receiver position. That will likely continue again this weekend, although he has been better than ever.
It hasn't mattered that no one else has stepped up. Smith has been all that Ohio State has needed so far this season. Last week was the fewest number of catches he has had all season. He only recorded four catches against the Terrapins. Two of them went for touchdowns, though.
Ohio State has to give Jeremiah Smith some help to beat Indiana
Even if another receiver isn't able to step up to help Smith in the passing game, the Buckeyes still need to help him. They can achieve that by using the tight ends such as Nate Roberts and Mason Williams. Roberts caught a 68-yard pass last week against Maryland.
The run game will need to be better, as well. Bo Jackson became the first back to rush for at least 100 yards in a game last week. He did so without having a hugely explosive run. His longest rush was a 25-yard touchdown run. Getting some better runs will help out Smith in a much-needed way.
Of course, Ohio State's offensive line will be under fire. It's unclear which offensive linemen will be available at this point, but Phillip Daniels will be back. Having him back at right tackle will help an offensive line that struggled a bit against the Terps.
Ohio State feels confident it can go into Bloomington and win the game. Cignetti is clearly worried about defending Smith. It wouldn't be shocking to see Smith put the entire Ohio State offense on his back yet again.
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