Wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate are both expected to suit up against Michigan despite missing recent games with injuries as the Buckeyes look to end their losing streak
Ohio State is catching a break at the perfect moment. The top-ranked Buckeyes are set to welcome back their two most explosive offensive weapons just in time for their biggest game of the regular season, as wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate are both expected to play against Michigan on Saturday despite recent injury concerns.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that while both pass catchers will carry questionable designations heading into the noon kickoff, the expectation is that they’ll be on the field when Ohio State attempts to end its four-game losing streak against its biggest rival. The news provides a significant boost to a program desperate to finally break through against the Wolverines after years of frustration.
Injuries kept dynamic duo sidelined
The timing of these injuries couldn’t have been worse for Ohio State. Smith, widely considered one of the most talented players in college football, sat out last week’s matchup against Rutgers, marking the first game he’d missed all season. Tate has been dealing with a lower body injury that has kept him off the field for three consecutive games.
Their absence against Rutgers was manageable given the level of competition, but facing Michigan without two first-round caliber receivers would have been a completely different story. The Wolverines present a far more daunting challenge than the Scarlet Knights, and Ohio State needs every weapon available to snap its losing streak in this rivalry.
Elite production from dynamic receivers
The numbers explain why getting 1) Smith and 2) Tate back on the field matters so much to Ohio State’s offensive game plan. Smith has been nothing short of sensational this season, hauling in 69 catches for 902 yards and 10 touchdowns through the air. He’s also contributed on the ground with 20 rushing yards and a score, showcasing his versatility as a weapon in multiple facets of the offense.
Tate has been equally impressive when healthy, recording 39 receptions for 711 yards and seven touchdowns. His 16 rushing yards demonstrate that Ohio State’s coaching staff finds creative ways to get the ball in his hands. Both receivers are favorite targets of quarterback Julian Sayin, who has flourished while distributing the ball to this impressive collection of pass catchers.
Quarterback thriving with elite weapons
Sayin has put together a Heisman Trophy-caliber season thanks largely to the talented receivers at his disposal. The signal-caller has completed over 79% of his passes for 2,832 yards while throwing 27 touchdowns against just four interceptions. Those remarkable efficiency numbers have positioned him as a legitimate contender for college football’s most prestigious individual award.
The presence of Smith and Tate gives Sayin two downfield threats who can win one-on-one matchups and create separation against even the tightest coverage. Their ability to make plays after the catch and turn short passes into explosive gains has been crucial to Ohio State’s offensive success throughout the season.
Previous struggles against Wolverines
Both receivers have experienced the disappointment of losing to Michigan, making Saturday’s game personal. Smith made his debut in this rivalry as a true freshman last season, and while he found the end zone, the Wolverines successfully kept him in check for most of the afternoon. He managed just five catches for 35 yards in the loss, representing one of his least productive performances of the entire campaign. Only Indiana and Texas held him to fewer receiving yards all season.
Tate led Ohio State in both receptions and receiving yards during last season’s heartbreaking 13-10 defeat, catching six passes for 58 yards. His performance showed his importance to the offense even in a losing effort. The previous year proved even more frustrating for Tate, as he failed to record a single catch in the 30-24 loss to Michigan’s eventual national championship team in 2023.
Stakes couldn’t be higher
Ohio State has already secured its spot in the College Football Playoff regardless of Saturday’s outcome, but that provides little comfort given the program’s recent history in this rivalry. The Buckeyes haven’t defeated Michigan since 2019, a drought that weighs heavily on everyone associated with the program. Four consecutive losses to your biggest rival is unacceptable by Ohio State’s lofty standards.
The return of Smith and Tate gives the Buckeyes their best chance to end this nightmare streak. Both receivers would love nothing more than to earn their first gold pants charms, the traditional award given to Ohio State players who beat Michigan. Their presence on the field creates matchup problems that Michigan’s defense will struggle to solve.
Draft implications loom large
The stakes extend beyond just Saturday’s game for these talented receivers. Tate is eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft and is considered a first-round prospect by talent evaluators. Smith has another year of college eligibility remaining but could be a top-five pick in the 2027 draft if he decides to leave early. Both players understand that strong performances in high-profile games like this one enhance their professional prospects while helping their team achieve its goals.
