Ohio State is rolling into Big Ten play with a 2-1 record, fresh off a 59-3 demolition of Kent State. Sounds good, right? WRONG. Don’t let that score fool you. This team is 2-1 because they *blew* a massive 20-point fourth-quarter lead against Texas, ultimately falling 24-23 in Austin. The vibes? Totally off compared to last year’s “cruise control to the playoffs” expectations. What’s the biggest headache in Columbus right now? It’s all about who on earth is going to step up behind their absolute superstar wide receiver, Jeremiah Smith, because right now, nobody is.
One Guy Is Doing Everything, And It’s Not Enough
Brett Ludwiczak nailed it: the biggest concern? The absolute silence from any other quality wide receiver behind Jeremiah Smith. We’ve been spoiled rotten by Columbus’s pass-catching talent, but this is wild! Smith, a junior, has *already* shattered the school’s career yardage record after just three games. He’s undeniably the best receiver in college football, a guaranteed first-round pick in April’s NFL Draft. He’s owning center stage with 21 catches, 400 yards, and three touchdowns through three games. Bonkers production! The truly concerning part: *no other Buckeye receiver* has hit 10 catches, or more than 133 receiving yards. Only Chris Henry Jr. has multiple touchdowns. Remember when Smith had future first-rounders like Emeka Egbuka or Carnell Tate sharing the load with Julian Sayin? Those days feel like ancient history. Smith has taken center stage, and the team looks totally unprepared for it.
Cracks Are Showing With a Brutal Schedule Ahead
Forget last season’s playoff expectations; the optimism isn’t there, and for real, who can blame them? Blowing a 20-point lead to Texas? That’s not just a tough loss, it’s a glaring, flashing red light that “cracks” are absolutely showing in their on-field performance. Now they’re plunging headfirst into Big Ten play against Illinois, and just look at the gauntlet ahead: Iowa, Indiana, USC, and Oregon. Oof. If this team can’t find another legitimate threat, someone to demand defensive attention and take pressure off Smith, those brutal matchups are going to expose them even more. They’ve got time to try and fix it, and they’ve bounced back from early losses before. But first, you gotta admit you have a problem, right? And right now, their receiving corps outside of Smith *is* the problem.
So, the Buckeyes kick off their Big Ten grind against Illinois. This isn’t just some tune-up game; it’s a huge test. Can they finally show some offensive balance? Can someone, *anyone*, step up and give quarterback Julian Sayin another reliable target to complement Smith? Every single fan in Columbus will be glued to that game, hoping to see those early “cracks” start to mend and prove this team is more than a one-man show before their season spirals.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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