Whether Ohio State has its top receivers available has not been determined, at least publicly, but the possible absences of Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate won’t diminish the stakes when the No. 1 Buckeyes play at No. 15 Michigan in Ann Arbor on Saturday.
Tate has missed the past three games and Smith sat last week vs. Rutgers, each with undisclosed injuries. Coach Ryan Day said Tuesday their status may not be known until closer to kickoff.
“They’re going to continue to get some rest tonight, had a good day of rehab,” Day said. “So, we’ll wake up in the morning and see how they’re doing, but nobody wants to play more than those two guys.
“In the end, we’ll look to the medical staff to give us a thumbs up or not.”
Smith on teammate Caleb Downs’ “Downs 2 Business” podcast this week said he “should be good to go.”
Tate and Smith are semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award which goes to the NCAA’s outstanding receiver. Smith has 69 receptions for 902 yards and 10 touchdowns; Tate has 39 catches for 711 yards and seven touchdowns.
“The receivers are elite. Four, Jeremiah (Smith) is elite. Carnell Tate is elite,” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said. “They got Brandon Inniss, he’s elite. The tight end, Max Klare, is a really good player as well. The quarterback is elite. They’ve got elite players everywhere on the field from a skill position standpoint.”
Of course, if one or both of the star receivers are out it could impact how the Buckeyes (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten) go about ending a four-game losing streak to Michigan (9-2, 7-1 Big Ten).
Michigan is dealing with injuries as well. Fullback Max Bredeson, who suffered a leg injury in the most recent game against Maryland, is expected to play as are receiver Semaj Morgan and running back Jordan Marshall.
An Ohio State win puts the Buckeyes in the Big Ten Championship Game on Dec. 6 in Indianapolis. The Wolverines must win and have either No. 2 Indiana (vs. Purdue) or No. 6 Oregon (against Washington) lose to qualify.
A Michigan win and an Indiana loss pits the Wolverines vs. Oregon; if Michigan wins and Oregon loses it will be the Wolverines and Hoosiers.
Then it gets interesting. If Michigan wins and Indiana and Oregon are upset, then the Buckeyes and Wolverines will have a rematch.
Ohio State has won 15 straight beginning with four games to win the 2024 CFP championship. Its last loss was a stunning 13-10 home loss to unranked Michigan, a 21 1/2-point underdog, last season and resulted in a postgame brawl when Michigan players attempted to plant a flag at midfield.
Neither coach expects a repeat of those hostilities.
“You have to play with emotion, but you can’t let it play with you,” Day said. “You have to learn to use it as a nitrous, not as a primary fuel source.”
Moore said the matchup is different than any other.
“It’s a feeling that you can’t describe. It’s an intensity. It’s just an aura about it that you can’t describe until you get on the field, but it’s awesome to be a part of,” he said. “It’s great to be a part of this. It’s the best rivalry in sports.”
–Field Level Media
