Ohio State football enters its highly anticipated matchup against Michigan with uncertainty surrounding two of its top receivers, Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. Both players missed the recent game against Rutgers, and their availability for Saturday’s contest remains in question.
Tate has not participated in a game since Ohio State’s victory over Penn State on November 1. Although he was not on the availability report for the game against Purdue on November 8, he experienced tightness during warm-ups and, as a precaution, was held out. He has also missed subsequent games against UCLA on November 15 and Rutgers on November 22.
On the other hand, Smith initially appeared on the availability report ahead of the UCLA game and managed to participate, albeit for just 22 snaps. Unfortunately, he was not available against Rutgers.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day addressed the media multiple times leading up to the game against Michigan, providing limited updates on both players. During an appearance on 97.1 The Fan, Day noted that Smith and Tate were “trending in the right direction,” although he refrained from giving a definitive status update. Shortly thereafter, Smith featured in a podcast teaser expressing optimism about being “good to go” against Michigan.
Further inquiries about their status brought responses from Day that suggested a cautious optimism. He remarked that both players were doing everything possible to play in the critical matchup. As the days progressed, the head coach maintained a lighthearted demeanor but still offered no concrete updates regarding their condition.
As Ohio State’s team arrived in Ann Arbor, Day reiterated that both Smith and Tate made the trip, though their participation remains uncertain as kickoff approaches. Fans and supporters will eagerly await the official injury report, which is set to be released at 10 a.m. Eastern on game day.
Both Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate’s potential return could significantly impact Ohio State’s offensive strategy against their rival, Michigan. The Buckeyes are hoping for a strong performance as they aim to secure a crucial victory in this historic rivalry.