What Pat McAfee Said About Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith Before Oregon Ducks Matchup

As the No. 1 Oregon Ducks gear up for their College Football Playoff rematch against Ohio State, slowing down Buckeyes' standout freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith will be a key challenge. Pat McAfee recently praised Smith on The Pat McAfee Show, calling him a top-ten NFL Draft talent and highlighting his effortless ability to create explosive plays.

Oct 5, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) runs off the field after beating Iowa Hawkeyes after the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium. / Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

EUGENE- The No. 1 Oregon Ducks are preparing to go head-to-head with a seemingly new conference rival, Ohio State, in one of, if not the biggest games of the season. The Ducks and Buckeyes will meet for the second time this season in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff on New Year’s Day in the Rose Bowl.

The Ducks are riding a historic season, holding a 13-0 record for the first time in program history and standing as the only remaining undefeated team in the FBS. Although Oregon has already beaten Ohio State once this season, that doesn’t make the upcoming matchup any less challenging, especially after seeing Ohio State coach Ryan Day and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly utilize the talent in their wide receiver room, specifically true freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. 

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Rickey Gibson III (1) in the first half at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. / Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

While Oregon earned a bye after defeating Penn State in the Big Ten Championship Game, the Buckeyes had to earn its spot in the quarterfinals with a win over Tennessee.

In Ohio State’s 42-17 win in the first round of the CFP, true freshman receiver Smith had the opportunity to prove just how dominant of a receiver he is. Smith finished the game with 103 receiving yards and two touchdowns on six receptions. 

Jeremiah Smith is UNBELIEVABLE #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/h7zsv75ReU

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 23, 2024

On Monday, Pat McAfee had former Ohio State quarterback Kirk Herbstreit on his show, and they discussed the upcoming matchup between Oregon and Ohio State, specifically Smith and his ability to effortlessly create explosive plays. 

“Jeremiah, when I looked over at him, the ball was up," McAfee said. "So, I'm looking at Jeremiah. He had no idea the ball was coming. He had no clue the ball was coming. He actually looks back at Will Howard at one point. The ball is in the air at this point. Then, he notices, 'Oh, the ball is coming.' Then he tracks it and finds it. It was just so comfortable, so calm—there was no panic at all... It was almost matter-of-fact, it felt like he was just strolling down the sidewalk,"  

- Pat McAfree

McAfee then proceeded to claim that Smith, as a true freshman, would be a top-ten pick right now if he were to declare for the draft. Smith leads Ohio State with 1,037 receiving yards and the Big Ten Conference with 12 receiving touchdowns, placing him among the top 15 in the nation. 

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Dec 7, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Nikko Reed (9) reacts after an interception against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the fourth quarter in the 2024 Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images / Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

It is no secret that facing Smith, especially after a dominant performance against Tennessee, will present a challenge for Oregon’s defense. In the Ducks and Buckeyes’ first meeting, Smith proved difficult to stop. The Buckeye receiver had nine receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown. Limiting Smith will undoubtedly be a priority for Oregon’s secondary. 

Fortunately for the Ducks, Oregon boasts a formidable secondary led by Washington transfer Jabbar Muhammad who joined the Ducks after an impressive season at Washington, where he recorded 41 solo tackles, 14 pass deflections, two sacks, and three interceptions. His impact has been undeniable, as he’s forced opposing teams to avoid targeting his side of the field. Despite these limited opportunities, Muhammad has still managed to compile 19 solo tackles, 17 assisted tackles, and 11 pass deflections this season.  

In order to beat Ohio State, Oregon must step up defensively to limit Ohio State’s talented receiver corps, especially Smith. The Ducks and Buckeyes will kick off at 2 p.m. PT from Pasadena, California. The winner will advance to face the winner of Arizona State and Texas in the Cotton Bowl, while the loser’s hopes of winning a national championship will come to an end.

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