50 For 50: Jeremiah Smith Due For Big Game Against Longhorns

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 16 days away — with a daily sampling of what we can look forward to this upcoming college football season. Today’s edition features Ohio State receivers Jeremiah Smith and Bryson Rodgers, left tackle Ethan Onianwa, 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 34

Biggest Buckeye Matchups

OHIO STATE LT ETHAN ONIANWA VS. MICHIGAN DE TJ GUY

TJ Guy was a spot starter and valuable member of Michigan’s defensive end rotation last year. He finished with as many tackles for loss as first-round pick Mason Graham (7.0), and was second on the team with 5.5 sacks last year. Guy is going to be a difficult matchup for Ohio State left tackle Ethan Onianwa, who spent last season at Rice playing against the likes of Sam Houston State, Texas Southern, and UAB. By the time this game comes around, however, Ethan Onianwa will be well-versed in big-time football.

Most Important Games

GEORGIA BULLDOGS AT GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS, NOV. 28

Last year’s matchup in Athens was one of the games of the year. Georgia Tech blew a 17-0 first-half lead and a 14-point fourth-quarter lead, then eventually lost 44-42 in eight overtimes. This game probably won’t go that far, but GT quarterback Haynes King is going to do everything he can to get this win. A year ago, he threw for 303 yards and rushed for 110 yards, accounting for five touchdowns and three two-point conversions and still came up short against the Bulldogs. This game is actually being played in Mercedes-Benz Stadium instead of Bobby Dodd Stadium, which is fortunate for Georgia. The Yellow Jackets have covered in their last three matchups.

Things To Look Forward To

RECEIVER BRYSON RODGERS IN A LARGER ROLE FOR THE BUCKEYES.

Bryson Rodgers saw action on offense in 11 of the Buckeyes’ 16 games last year, but played in just three of the final six games. He caught five passes for 46 yards last year as a redshirt freshman. Rodgers played the fifth-most snaps among the receivers last year, averaging 10 snaps per game. His opportunities are going to go up this year. Rodgers can play inside or out, which means he could show up in any kind of situation and play in any down or distance. He has been a productive practice player throughout his career, but now it’s time to convert those successes to Saturdays.

National College Football Predictions

ARIZONA STATE WON’T MAKE THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF.

Arizona State was picked to finish last in the Big XII last year but ended up winning the conference. Running back Cam Skattebo was instrumental in making that happen, but he is now off to the NFL. Just about everybody else is back, however. Still, you’ll do better by predicting everybody in the Big XII to miss the playoffs than make them. Road games at Baylor, Utah, Iowa State, and Colorado may be enough to eliminate the Sun Devils from conference contention. Or at least put them in a situation of having to beat Texas Tech in the Big XII Championship Game in order to make the CFP.

Big Ten Football Predictions

JAHKEEM STEWART WILL START AT LEAST ONE GAME FOR USC.

Jahkeem Stewart reclassified from 2026 to 2025 and now enters USC with sizable expectations. He worked at both defensive end and defensive tackle in the spring, so he’ll need to find a home at some point. His positional fluidity right now, however, means that he could end up getting a spot start at either tackle or end. Plus, if you’re going to pay for a recruiting class, how patient are you going to be with it?

Ohio State Football Predictions

JEREMIAH SMITH WILL SCORE AGAINST THE TEXAS LONGHORNS.

Jeremiah Smith got the win last season against Texas, but the Longhorns held him to a season-low one catch for three yards. Texas will have their pass defense devoted to stopping Smith, but the Buckeyes will move him around to combat that attention. Ryan Day will do his best to scheme up some opportunities for Jeremiah Smith. He’ll be in the slot, outside, in motion. Hell, he may line up tight like Ted Ginn did against Michigan back in 2006. Ohio State knows that Smith is going to be smothered, so Day and Brian Hartline are going to design some freedom for him.

Go to discussion...