Ohio State absolutely crushed Maryland on Saturday, locking down a dominant 45-16 win at home. The real fireworks came from Jeremiah Smith, whose performance made a statement that will echo all the way to the NFL Draft.
Jeremiah Smith Is On A Whole Different Level
You watched it, right? Smith was just out there doing things that make your jaw drop. He hauled in four catches for 93 yards and two touchdowns against Maryland, including those insane 33 and 40-yard scores. And yeah, that flashy one-handed catch? Pure magic. This guy isn’t just good, he’s a certified playmaker.
His draft stock? Forget about it. ESPN’s Mel Kiper already has the junior wide receiver pegged as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. That’s ahead of some serious talent like Darian Mensah, CJ Carr, and Trinidad Chambliss. And honestly, after Saturday, it’s hard to argue. Heading into the Maryland game, Smith was already leading all of college football with nine touchdowns and 823 receiving yards on 44 receptions. He’s also now the Buckeyes’ all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. Oh, and he’s the favorite in the Heisman Trophy race, sitting pretty at -220 odds. This isn’t just hype, it’s a cold, hard fact. He’s simply unstoppable.
Sayin’s Arm Keeps The Offense Humming
You can’t talk about Smith without giving huge props to Julian Sayin. That kid is seriously talented. He finished the game against the Terrapins with four touchdown passes and 242 passing yards, completing 62 percent of his attempts. Yeah, he threw his second interception of the season, but the other one was on a hail mary, so let’s be real. Sayin’s efficiency is no joke. Before this game, he was already sitting at 1,530 yards and 13 touchdowns with only that one previous interception. ESPN’s Jordan Reid even ranked him as the 10th-most valuable quarterback prospect, projecting him for a late second or early third-round selection in the NFL draft. The Buckeyes offense as a whole was cooking, racking up 449 total yards. They scored on five of their seven first-half possessions, taking a commanding 31-10 lead into the break. Don’t forget Bo Jackson either, who pounded out 107 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries. Plus, Sayin connected with Nate Roberts for a monster 68-yard touchdown strike, and Mason Williams added another score before halftime. This offense is absolutely loaded.
Big Ten Implications and What’s Next
While the offense was putting on a show, the defense was just as dominant. They held Maryland to a measly 146 yards of total offense and only 10 first downs. That’s suffocating. This kind of two-way dominance is why Ohio State, ranked No. 5, is now 3-0 in conference play and 5-1 overall. They’re sitting third in the Big Ten standings, right behind Indiana and UCLA, both still undefeated in conference play. With performances like this, you have to feel good about where this team is headed. Every week is a statement, and every win keeps them right in the thick of things. Can’t wait to see what they do next.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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