Texas has limited Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith in each of the last two meetings, but here’s why Smith will still shine.

Ohio State star Jeremiah Smith is looking to change the narrative ahead of a critical matchup against Texas. Fresh off a performance against Ball State in which he caught 8 passes for 151 yards and 2 touchdowns, Jeremiah Smith will now face his Achilles’ heel: the Texas Longhorns. Smith sat on the bench for the entire second half as the Buckeyes cruised their way to a 56-3 victory in week one.

When asked about the decision, head coach Ryan Day told reporters, “We decided to hold him in the second half, because he understands we have a monster game coming up.”

Jeremiah Smith has dominated many of the top teams in college football, but one SEC foe has got the better of him over the past two years. In two career games against the Longhorns, Smith has recorded just 7 catches for 46 yards. The Buckeyes still came out on top for the win in both contests.

When asked about how Smith impacts the Texas defensive game plan, head coach Steve Sarkisian said,

“I think, one, he garners your attention, and he deserves our attention. He’s arguably the best player in college football. The challenge is, with him, it’s the size, speed, catch radius. He’s a big, physical guy who can cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. It doesn’t always look like it, but it almost feels like it. You can feel his presence on the field.”

Despite Smith’s past struggles, here is why Ohio State fans should feel confident that the narrative can change in Saturday’s matchup.

Staff Overhaul

Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith brings a new philosophy that could bode well for Jeremiah Smith and the offense as a whole. The Buckeyes rewired the offensive staff with the addition of offensive coordinator Arthur Smith this off-season. Smith has a long history across all levels of football, including the NFL.

Like defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, Smith’s experience and success at the highest level of football are hard to match. If the offensive game plan is firing on all cylinders, the Longhorns’ defense may be in trouble. Jeremiah Smith was the focal point of Smith’s game plan in week one, and that likely will not change.

The Run Game

It’s often said that the run game sets up the pass game. The Buckeyes took victory over the Longhorns last season by a score of 14-7, but it seemed like the offense wasn’t firing on all cylinders. CJ Donaldson was the leading rusher in the game with 67 yards and a touchdown. With new and returning talent, the run game will likely be a focal point in Saturday’s matchup.

Star sophomore running back Bo Jackson did not have an impact in last season’s matchup vs the Longhorns, despite rushing for over one thousand yards on the season. Jackson will look to be the Buckeyes’ lead back and could be set up for a huge performance.

The Buckeyes will also rely on Ja’Kobi Jackson, Isaiah West, and Legend Bey. This running back room is filled with talent and experience; if that part of the offense is doing its job, the pass game could open up, leading to a productive performance by Jeremiah Smith.

Visit https://nil.store/TSB and use code TSB for 15% off!

NEXT: Read Ohio State vs. Texas: Why Goal-to-Go Situations Could Decide the Game Again