Ohio State's top receiver faces USC in Saturday's Big Ten clash

USC will attempt to stop one of the most productive receivers in college football this Saturday. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith of No. 2 Ohio State leads the Big Ten with 984 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. The game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at a sold-out Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Smith, a 2024 Freshman All-American and 2025 All-American, averages 140.6 receiving yards per game and 7.4 yards per catch. USC head coach Lincoln Riley compared Smith to Michael Crabtree, a two-time All-American at Texas Tech who was selected 10th overall in the 2009 NFL draft. Riley stated that Smith is the closest he has seen to Crabtree in terms of dominance at the college level.

Ohio State (6-1, 4-0) enters the matchup coming off a bye week. The Buckeyes lost star quarterback Julian Sayin to injury and he is out indefinitely for the season. Head coach Ryan Day has not announced a starter. His two primary options are largely inexperienced. Freshman Luke Fahey, a Mission Viejo High product, has completed 9 of 13 passes for 203 yards and two interceptions in four games. Sophomore Tavien St. Clair has thrown for 52 yards and one interception in two games.

Riley noted that the change in quarterbacking feels like a first game of the season for the Buckeyes. He said USC must make life difficult for the new signal caller and adjust to any changes in their offensive scheme. The Trojans (6-2, 3-2) are unranked and look to bounce back from a loss to Wisconsin last weekend.

Ohio State may rely on its rushing attack to help the new quarterback. Bo Jackson leads the team with 542 yards on 107 carries. Ja'Kobi Jackson, who had 356 yards on 59 carries, will sit out after surgery for a Lisfranc injury. Isaiah West, with 133 yards on 28 rushes, is expected to take over some of the workload.

USC defensive tackle Jide Abasiri said the team is estimating the new quarterback's tendencies based on limited college film. The Trojans defense allows 8.1 yards per reception and 216.4 receiving yards per game. Freshman Luke Wafle, who has three sacks in the last three games, will play on the edge and pressure the Buckeyes' young quarterbacks.

USC's passing offense is second in the conference. Quarterback Jayden Maiava has received good protection from the offensive line, except for the Wisconsin game. He throws to leading receivers Kayden Dixon-Wyatt and Trent Mosley. Ohio State's defense, directed by former NFL coach Matt Patricia, allows 171.4 passing yards per game. USC running back King Miller leads the ground attack, though Waymond Jordan, who missed the Wisconsin game, is still recovering from an ankle injury.