Ohio State analyst gushes over Jeremiah Smith as Buckeyes maintain elite footing

Ohio State’s fall spotlight has increasingly centered on Jeremiah Smith, and at least one prominent CFB analyst is not trying to overstate how different Smith’s impact has looked through the season. In a recent discussion relayed by Yahoo Sports, the analyst described being “at a loss for words” when evaluating Smith’s play, framing his performance as the kind that reshapes how an opponent has to defend Ohio State’s offense and game plan.

The context matters. Ohio State is still widely viewed as one of the most complete teams in college football, and the team’s status has not been erased by a single detour. Yahoo Sports also noted that the Buckeyes have remained among the best despite a minor setback a few weeks earlier against the Texas Longhorns, underscoring that Smith’s role is unfolding inside a larger picture where Ohio State is still competing at a high level.

Smith’s rise is best understood as more than highlight production. When a player is compelling enough to draw that kind of reaction from analysts, it usually indicates a combination of skills and usage that forces defensive coordinators to make uncomfortable choices. Even without adding specifics beyond the report, the thrust of the commentary is clear: Smith’s play has been impactful enough to bend preparation and create tension for defenses trying to plan for Ohio State week to week.

For Ohio State, that translates into an offensive identity that can still function even when the matchup turns tougher. The report’s mention of Texas is important because it sets up a question teams face after a loss: can the offense remain dangerous in the same way, or does it become more predictable? The analyst’s praise suggests the Buckeyes’ ceiling has continued to be tied to Smith’s ability to create problems, rather than being limited by one result.

There is also a psychological element. Teams that can point to a single difference-maker often give their quarterback, play-calling staff, and position group a steady reference point. If analysts are struggling to explain how Smith has been playing, it implies his week-to-week influence is noticeable enough that it can elevate everyone around him, including blocking schemes and the attention defenders must pay.

What to watch next is whether the broader Ohio State offense can sustain the same momentum and whether opponents respond by changing coverage or usage patterns specifically to blunt Smith. If Smith continues to draw that level of attention, the Buckeyes’ remaining games will likely turn more on what defenses choose to do with him than on what Ohio State calls on any single snap.