Indiana appeared to use extra coverage while facing Ohio State star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith on Saturday. Known for his explosive plays, Smith is not getting an easy one-on-one matchup against the national champions.
Analyst Pat McAfee noted similarities between how Smith was defended and how Calvin Johnson was defended back in the day. Johnson, nicknamed “Megatron,” was one of the NFL’s most physically imposing receivers. Smith has drawn similar comparisons after two Indiana defenders appeared to be near him.
“We’re getting REAL close to the Calvin Johnson punt gunner coverage for Jeremiah Smith,” McAfee wrote.
Fans shared their reactions to Indiana’s strategy to stop Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin from getting easy access to one of the best wide receivers in college.
“Sayin allergic to throwing to Jeremiah Smith,” one fan wrote.
“No other WR gets covered like this in college football,” one fan noted.
“Stop insulting Calvin’s dominance. Jeremiah Smith isn’t that,” one fan remarked.
“Always a legend,” one fan wrote.
“No joke, Pat, at this point I don’t think press with two over him in addition is off the table. Use 3,” one fan said.
“Jeremiah Smith gets the Shaq treatment. They simply won’t call PI by smaller DB,” one fan compared the receiver to an NBA legend.
Indiana Gets Concerning Jeremiah Smith Prediction Ahead of Ohio State Showdown
Jeremiah Smith is easily one of the best receivers in college football this season. The Ohio State Buckeyes receiver entered Saturday’s game with 916 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in six games this season.
Despite Indiana’s unbeaten 6-0 start this season, NBC analyst Todd Blackledge believes the Hoosiers won’t be able to stop Smith on the field.
“Another issue where I think, and this will show itself, you know, how they’re going to deal with Jeremiah Smith, they’re not as good in the boundary corner as they were last year with D’Angelo Ponds,” Blackledge said. “I mean, they felt like he could really, they could count on him to do what he needed to do, lock something down, they could be creative and cover each other places with their simulated pressures and all of that.”
So far in the first two quarters, Indiana’s strategy might be working because Sayin hasn’t thrown a lot to Smith in the first half despite Ohio State trailing 7-3 at the end of the second quarter. He has two receptions for 20 yards.
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