Overview
- ESPN analyst Desmond Howard questioned Jeremiah Smith’s Heisman case on First Take by saying he could not recall a recent game in which Smith was “the difference” for Ohio State.
- Smith answered on the field on Saturday with 11 catches for 117 yards and a touchdown and broke the Big Ten career receiving yards record during Ohio State’s win over Northwestern.
- During the same Fox broadcast, former Heisman winner Robert Griffin III directly rebuked Howard, telling him to “stop hating” and defending Smith’s big‑game résumé.
- Bookmakers moved to reinforce Smith’s standing in the race after the performance, with FanDuel odds reported on Nov. 15 listing him as the Heisman favorite.
- The dispute has refocused the debate over how voters weigh sustained statistical dominance versus signature moments and highlighted how Ohio State’s quarterback injury and team results could affect late voting.