Overview
- As of Wednesday, the top-five rematch set for Saturday will pit Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith against Indiana’s Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh in a rare three-way matchup of high-end receiver prospects.
- Smith has 48 catches for 916 yards and 11 touchdowns this season and enters the game as a Heisman frontrunner after consecutive huge performances and Ohio State career receiving marks.
- Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover has thrown 17 touchdown passes with no interceptions and will be tested by Ohio State’s nationally ranked defense, which leads the nation in pass efficiency defense.
- Scouts and media view the game as a live comparison for NFL draft evaluation because all three receivers rank among the top prospects at their position and will face top-level coverage and pass rush.
- A Buckeye win would carry weight for Smith’s award case while an Indiana victory would extend the Hoosiers’ long winning streak and preserve their national-title momentum going forward.