50 For 50: Can Jeremiah Smith Exceed Expectations Again?

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 10 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, offensive lineman Logan George, defensive back Bryce West, 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.

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Biggest Buckeye Matchups

OHIO STATE RT AUSTIN SIEREVELD VS. ILLINOIS OLB GABE JACAS

Gabe Jacas is the No. 3 returning sacker in the Big Ten. He posted 74 tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss, and 8.0 sacks last year. Against the Illini’s six ranked opponents, Jacas produced 41 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. This will be the biggest test for Ohio State right tackle Austin Siereveld since the season opener against Texas. Siereveld isn’t the blindside blocker, but that doesn’t make his job any less important when it comes to protecting his quarterback.

Most Important Games

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES AT WASHINGTON HUSKIES, SEPT. 27

The Buckeyes haven’t won a true road game out on the West Coast since a 52-34 win at California in 2013. The trip to Washington will be Ohio State’s first road game of the year, and it could be a doozy. The Huskies haven’t lost a home game since the season finale in 2021. That’s 20-consecutive wins in Husky Stadium. Ohio State will have played in a big game before this one, but this will be their first foray into hostility.

Things To Look Forward To

REDSHIRT FRESHMAN DB BRYCE WEST FINDING A ROLE.

Bryce West played in seven games last year as a true freshman, but because three of those games were in the postseason he was still able to redshirt. West will likely be the dime this year, but that still means he’ll be on the field quite a bit. The former Glenville Tarblooder can play inside or outside, but who knows what his role will grow into come October or November.

National College Football Predictions

FORMER MICHIGAN STATE QBS WILL THROW FOR 8,000 YARDS.

There are a couple of different places that claim the moniker “the Cradle of Quarterbacks” — such as Western Pennsylvania and Purdue, but don’t sleep on Michigan State’s possible ownership of the name. Not because of what they do as Spartans, but rather what they do afterward. This year, former Spartans Sam Leavitt (Arizona State), Katin Houser (East Carolina), and Noah Kim (Eastern Michigan) are all out there slinging it around elsewhere and will put up good numbers while doing it.

Big Ten Football Predictions

FRESHMAN DE ZAHIR MATHIS WILL START A GAME FOR MARYLAND.

It wasn’t that long ago that Zahir Mathis was committed to Ohio State. It was even less long ago that he decommitted from the Buckeyes and signed with Maryland. Now the Philadelphia native is in line for some serious playing time. As the Terps manage their struggles and try to set their future right, we can expect Mathis to get as much playing time as he can handle. Which will also include some appearances as a starter on the Maryland defensive line.

Ohio State Football Predictions

JEREMIAH SMITH WILL NOT BE A HEISMAN FINALIST.

Jeremiah Smith exceeded expectations last year, which means the expectations this year are probably unattainable. As such, everything Smith does this year will be judged on what people think he should be doing. They won’t factor in the defensive scheme or the other skill players the Buckeyes will utilize. Marvin Harrison, Jr. went through a little of the same thing as a junior after a tremendous sophomore season. Jeremiah Smith may be the best player in college football, but he may need to be the best player of all time to live up to some people’s expectations.

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