Jeremiah Smith's Future at Ohio State in Doubt After Buckeyes Collapse From No. 2

On October 17, Ohio State was ranked No. 2 in the country. It had just handed Indiana its first loss in 23 games and appeared to be on course for the Big Ten Championship Game and a likely first-round bye in the College Football Playoff. By November 7, the season had come apart, and the question around the program had shifted to whether its best player will keep suiting up.

The Buckeyes entered 2026 with good reason for optimism. They had finished the 2025 regular season undefeated, losing 13-10 to Indiana in the Big Ten title game, and their playoff run ended with a 24-10 loss to Miami. Quarterback Julian Sayin was back for a second year as the starter, along with running back Bo Jackson, an experienced offensive line, and Jeremiah Smith, arguably the best player in college football. The main loss was on defense, where talents like Caleb Downs had to be replaced.

The first crack came at Texas. Ohio State carried a 23-3 lead into the fourth quarter and lost 24-23. The team rebounded, beating a solid Illinois team handily and taking care of a very good Iowa team on the road. Then came the Indiana game, in which Sayin hurt his arm while being tackled. Head coach Ryan Day was initially noncommittal about the injury, but over the bye week it was reported that Sayin would miss the rest of the season.

Luke Fahey's first start at quarterback came on the road against USC, and Ohio State lost 30-18 in a game that was not especially close. Fahey was neither awful nor outstanding, but the defense struggled against Jayden Maiava and a string of penalties hurt the Buckeyes. Next was Oregon in Columbus. Ohio State jumped to a 14-0 first-quarter lead, then surrendered 38 straight points and lost 41-28. Murmurs of discontent with Day have begun to circulate among the fanbase, and the playoff hopes are on life support, if not already gone.

That has put the spotlight on Smith. Former NFL running back Damien Harris, speaking on CBS Sports, said Smith has played his last snap for Ohio State. In Harris's view, the season is over, Smith will pack it up, and there is little left to play for given what he has already accomplished: the touchdown record, the reception record, a national championship. Harris added that Smith will not win the Heisman this year, and said his prediction was no knock on Ohio State, Day, the team or Fahey, just a matter of bigger things ahead for Smith.

Harris pointed in particular to Smith's demeanor against Oregon. Smith had been quiet for much of the game into the third quarter, then was seen showing frustration after catching a pass for little gain. Jeremy Birmingham, a host on 97.1 The Fan, criticized him sharply, saying a captain and the best player in the country cannot stomp down the field like a petulant child.

What Smith intends is not known. He has made no announcement and no public remarks about sitting out. This week he did repost a defense of his behavior and his record in Columbus, which suggests competitiveness and a desire to keep playing. The Fox piece itself frames the Harris view as one analyst's opinion.

There is still a path. Ohio State is technically alive in the race for the Big Ten Championship Game, and a win in Indianapolis would guarantee a playoff spot. Northwestern and Nebraska come first, then The Game against a very disappointing Michigan team. Smith may also still have a shot at the Heisman. And although injury risk is real, NFL teams might not look kindly on a player who skips games while the regular season is still going. Whether he plays against Northwestern will be the first answer.