Ohio State is gearing up for its Saturday showdown against Rutgers without two of its key wide receivers, Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. Both players have been grappling with injuries, but this marks the third consecutive game that Tate will miss, having last competed on November 1 against Penn State, where he recorded five receptions for 124 yards and one touchdown.
This Saturday will also be significant for Smith, as it represents the first full game he has missed in his collegiate career. Although he managed to participate in 20 snaps versus UCLA last week, he was noticeably limping and did not appear to be at full strength.
Head coach Ryan Day has not disclosed the specific injuries affecting Smith and Tate, merely noting that both are dealing with short-term ailments. “They’re working hard to get back on the field,” Day stated. However, their absences raise concerns as Ohio State prepares for its pivotal rivalry match against Michigan next week.
In their absence, the Buckeyes will rely on their second-string receiving corps, including Brandon Inniss, Mylan Graham, and Bryson Rodgers, to maintain their impressive 14-game win streak.
To date, Ohio State has enjoyed a relatively injury-free season among its receivers, but Tate’s injury surfaced during the November 8 game against Purdue when he was unexpectedly declared inactive after warm-ups. Day had expressed cautious optimism prior to that game, saying, “We thought he was OK to play, and he felt something, so we wanted to be careful. Could he have played? Probably.”
Despite rumors circulating on social media regarding the future of Tate’s career at Ohio State, Day has reiterated that the injury is short-term without providing detailed information.
Smith’s struggle began last week against UCLA when he was labeled as “questionable” on the availability report. In that game, he caught four passes for 40 yards, with a highlight being a stunning one-handed grab on the sidelines. Nonetheless, his discomfort was evident, as he limped both during and after the game.
After the UCLA matchup, Inniss, who has a strong personal connection with both Smith and Tate, reassured fans: “They will be fine.”
As Ohio State prepares to face Rutgers, the focus is quickly shifting to the critical game against Michigan the following week. The Buckeyes are heavily favored, with a 31.5-point spread against Rutgers, allowing many fans to think ahead to the rivalry game. Day will likely remain tight-lipped about the status of Smith and Tate leading up to the Michigan encounter, with an injury update expected only on Saturday morning.
If Smith and Tate are unable to participate against Michigan, the Buckeyes will need to adapt their offensive strategy against one of the top defenses in the nation, particularly given Michigan’s rank as No. 12 in run defense. Such changes will challenge Inniss, Rodgers, and Graham sooner than anticipated, highlighting the importance of this game in the quest for the Big Ten championship.
While Smith and Tate are not forecasted to be sidelined for long, their absence could significantly impact Ohio State’s prospects in the playoff race. However, the immediate priority remains ensuring the team is healthy for the crucial battle with Michigan and a potential Big Ten title clash with second-ranked Indiana on the horizon.