Jeremiah Smith’s Ohio State Buckeyes are preparing to play against the Michigan Wolverines in the final game of the 2025 regular season. It will be the 121st meeting between the two elite programs.
The Ohio State-Michigan rivalry has been played every year from 1918 to 2019. It is still one of the fiercest in college football, and Smith’s presence will be vital in such a high-stakes game.
Jeremiah Smith Updates His Availability in the Michigan Game
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said this week that Smith has been practicing. However, he declined to share any specifics about the wide receiver’s status for Saturday’s rivalry showdown against Michigan.
Smith offered his own update during an appearance on Caleb and Josh Downs’ “Down 2 Business” podcast on Wednesday.
“I’m feeling good,” Smith said (2:07). “You know, dealing with a little situation injury-wise, but I should be good to go Saturday.”
Ohio State is ranked No. 1 in the PFSN College Football Playoff Ranking and holds a 100% chance of making the playoff this season. The Buckeyes’ playoff is already ensured with their undefeated season this year at 11-0, but a win against Michigan is badly needed to save their reputation.
Ohio State’s last win against Michigan came in 2019, and since then, the Buckeyes have lost every game against the Wolverines. Michigan has won the last four meetings between the two programs, including a 13-10 win last year. Smith and the Buckeyes went on to win the national championship afterward, but his focus this year is squarely on beating the Wolverines.
“I mean, man, we’ve been waiting all season to play these guys,” Smith said. “So, I mean, we just got to go out there and play our game and, you know, be our best.”
Smith has been Ohio State’s top target this season, posting 69 catches for 902 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has been battling a “nagging injury” and was active in the Buckeyes’ 48-10 win over UCLA on November 15, but he played only a limited number of snaps before exiting in the second quarter after four receptions for 40 yards. He did not play in last week’s 42-9 win over Rutgers.
The Buckeyes were also without fellow wide receiver Carnell Tate in that game due to an undisclosed injury, marking the first time this season both receivers were sidelined. Tate has recorded 39 receptions for 711 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
Both Smith and Tate are semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top receiver.