Analyst Convinced Jeremiah Smith Won't Play for Ohio State Again

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith had another great game on Saturday, but his team lost badly at home to the Oregon Ducks, 41–28. Smith caught seven passes for 133 yards and scored a touchdown, but it wasn't enough. After the game, a CBS Sports analyst said he doesn't believe Smith will play again for Ohio State the rest of this season. The loss dropped Ohio State's record to 6–3, making many people wonder what is next for one of college football's best young players.

Damien Harris, a CBS Sports analyst and former NFL running back, made the comment during the network's postgame show. He said Smith had already proven himself as one of the best players in college football and had even won a national championship. Harris felt that playing more games would only put Smith at risk of getting hurt. He did say one game might be worth playing in — the rivalry matchup against Michigan on November 28.

The game itself started well for Ohio State. The Buckeyes jumped out to a 14–0 lead in the first quarter. But then Oregon scored 38 points in a row, and Ohio State couldn't answer back. The Buckeyes went scoreless in both the second and third quarters before adding two late touchdowns when the game was already out of reach.

Even in the loss, Smith continued to make history. Saturday's game was his 16th career game with 100 or more receiving yards. That broke the Ohio State record previously held by Marvin Harrison Jr., one of the greatest receivers in the program's history. Smith has built those numbers across three full seasons of college football.

Smith also tied a major national record with his touchdown. It was the 41st receiving touchdown of his career, matching the most ever scored by any player through his first three college seasons. On top of that, Ohio State's official game report said Smith is now just 31 yards away from breaking the Big Ten Conference's all-time career receiving-yardage record.

Ohio State still has three regular-season games left — against Northwestern, Nebraska, and Michigan. Those games give Smith a chance to break the Big Ten record and add to his already impressive stats. But Harris's comments have started a big debate about whether a player like Smith should risk injury when his future in the NFL looks very bright. For now, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see what Smith and the team decide to do.