50 For 50: Jeremiah Smith’s Top Competition In 2025?

Welcome to our daily feature that I am calling “50 for 50” where I attempt to get us to Big Ten Media Days — which are 39 days away — with a daily sampling of what we can look forward to this upcoming college football season. Today’s edition features Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, the Texas game, and more.

As always, we will do this via the following categories: the 50 biggest individual matchups for the Buckeyes this season, the 50 most important college football games this season, 50 Buckeye things to look forward to this season, 50 national predictions, 50 Big Ten predictions, and 50 predictions involving the Buckeyes.

Previous | Day 11

Biggest Buckeye Matchups

TEXAS CB MALIK MUHAMMAD VS. OHIO STATE WR JEREMIAH SMITH

A more realistic Texas matchup for Jeremiah Smith here would be two or three more players including Malik Muhammad, since that’s how they defended him last year. Still, if Texas would like to go one-on-one, Muhammad’s a pretty good option. He will be one of the best corners Smith faces this year. But don’t expect Texas to do much different than they did a year ago since it worked against Jeremiah Smith and almost worked against everybody else.

Most Important Games

ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE AT fLORIDA sTATE sEMINOLES, aUG. 30

This probably won’t be a good game but it will be an important game. If Florida State is going to be anything this year, we will find out right away. If Alabama is going to be great this year, we’ll probably have to wait until week five at Georgia to find out. But it would be a nice statement for the Tide to make to go into Tallahassee and control both the game and the narrative.

Things To Look Forward To

SUNRISE AT THE TAILGATE PRIOR TO THE TEXAS GAME.

Is there anything better than an early morning keg stand when the horizon is where it’s always been but the sunrise is upside down? Such is life when you are a fan of a team that is a business partner with FOX Sports. The buildup for the Texas game to open the season is going to be great, and so will the sunrise on your tailgate. John Denver couldn’t paint a better picture. And then afterward you can go watch Gameday and see Lee Corso’s last headgear pick. Right-side up, if you so desire.

National College Football Predictions

CJ CARR WILL OUTDO RILEY LEONARD’S 2024 PASSING PERFORMANCE.

If you haven’t heard, Notre Dame redshirt freshman quarterback CJ Carr is the next big thing in South Bend. (Provided he can beat out redshirt sophomore Kenny Minchey, of course.) If he can, Carr is going to be at the helm of some of the best skill position in the country. A year ago, Riley Leonard threw for 2,861 yards and 21 touchdowns in 15 games. His season-high of 255 yards passing came in the championship game loss to Ohio State. Carr should be a more explosive passer for the Irish, which is why I am expecting 3,000+ yards passing and 25+ touchdowns.

Big Ten Football Predictions

WISCONSIN WILL GO WINLESS ON THE ROAD THIS YEAR.

Wisconsin has road games at Alabama, Michigan, Oregon, Indiana, and Minnesota. Obviously, the last two of those are the most likely wins for the Badgers, but I wouldn’t exactly classify them as probable. Wisconsin will almost certainly need to win one of those last two to make a bowl game. It won’t be easy, and to this point under Luke Fickell, Wisconsin needs as much easy as they can get.

Ohio State Football Predictions

tEXAS WILL HOLD OHIO STATE UNDER 100 YARDS RUSHING.

Don’t take this prediction as a slight to the Buckeyes’ running game, but don’t expect things to be humming for the Ohio State offense right out of the gate. Especially against what is arguably the best defense in the nation. Plus, let’s not forget that the Buckeyes managed a whopping 81 yards rushing against the Longhorns last season. Texas didn’t allow any of their 2024 opponents to rush for 5 yards per carry in a game, and I’m not expecting that to change in what will be the first start for an entirely new Buckeye backfield.

Go to discussion...