Jeremiah Smith’s Heisman case just got a little stronger, and it happened because of news out of Miami.
Smith has been the engine for Ohio State all season, and the numbers back it up. He has 62 catches for 1,067 yards and 13 touchdowns, putting him fifth, second and second in the country in those categories. For much of the year, he’s looked like the best player in college football, and with Ohio State leaning on him so heavily, the Heisman conversation has followed.
Now the path looks even clearer after Malachi Toney suffered a high ankle sprain in practice that will require surgery. Toney is out for the rest of the regular season, though he could return for the CFP.
That matters because Toney, who plays for the No. 1-ranked Miami Hurricanes, was Smith’s biggest competition in the receiver race. The argument for Toney was simple: he was putting up big numbers while playing for an undefeated team sitting atop the CFP rankings.
Winning was his strongest card. With this injury, that edge is gone, and so is his chance to keep piling up the stats needed to match Smith.
The injury also changes the picture for Ohio State. Toney is the best weapon Miami has, and without him, the Hurricanes could start slipping. If that happens, it could help the Buckeyes’ case for a higher seed in the College Football Playoff.
Of course, Ohio State still has work to do just to get in. Another loss would likely knock the Buckeyes out, since they don’t have much room left on the schedule to climb back. But a win over Oregon on Saturday would give them another ranked victory and keep the playoff door open.
For Ohio State to keep winning, Smith has to keep playing like the Heisman front-runner he’s been all year. The Buckeyes need him more than ever now that Luke Fahey is the starting quarterback.
Even if Tavien St. Clair takes over at some point, the offense still runs through Smith.
That’s the reality for Ohio State: if the Buckeyes are going to make the playoff and have any chance at a title, Smith has to keep being the unstoppable force he’s been all season. He’s already the best receiver in college football, and with Toney sidelined, that much feels even harder to argue against.
For Smith, the Heisman would be the perfect capstone to a Buckeye career. If he doesn’t win that, or another national championship, he won’t be remembered the way he should be - as the best Ohio State football player I’ve ever seen.
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