COLUMBUS, Ohio — Jeremiah Smith proved again Saturday that he's a transcendent talent, hauling in a game-sealing touchdown in Ohio State's gritty 19-15 win over Indiana. But the real story isn't what Smith did—it's what happened to the guy throwing him the ball.
Late in the fourth quarter, quarterback Julian Sayin went down with an arm injury. Head coach Ryan Day confirmed after the game that Sayin will miss several weeks, leaving the Buckeyes' offense in the hands of freshman Luke Fahey. Fahey completed just 0-of-2 passes and took a sack in limited action, and he nearly had to operate with the game on the line if not for Ohio State's defense slamming the door.
Now, the college football world is asking a question that would have seemed absurd a week ago: Is Jeremiah Smith's Heisman campaign in jeopardy? The answer, according to many fans and analysts, is a resounding yes—unless Fahey can step up in a big way.
“Assuming Ohio State’s quarterback situation is what it appears to be moving forward, it’s going to be devastating if this costs Jeremiah Smith the Heisman,” Ben Axelrod wrote on X. The sentiment echoed across social media, with one fan lamenting, “Jeremiah Smith Heisman campaign, took a serious hit today. Nothing to do with stats.” Another added, “I hope OSU fans know that Jeremiah Smith isn’t winning the Heisman without Julian Sayin.”
Smith entered the game leading the Big Ten with 48 receptions, 916 yards, and 11 touchdowns in just six games. He added four more catches for 68 yards and that pivotal score on Saturday, pushing his totals to 52 receptions, 984 yards, and 12 touchdowns through seven games. If he maintains this pace, he'll finish with numbers comparable to DeVonta Smith's Heisman-winning 2020 season.
But there's a critical difference: DeVonta Smith had Mac Jones all season. Jeremiah Smith now faces the prospect of catching passes from a freshman who has thrown exactly two passes in college. The situation is reminiscent of Ryan Day's quarterback dilemma earlier this year, when he debated benching Sayin against Indiana. Now, that decision has been made for him.
History isn't kind to wide receivers whose quarterbacks go down. Even Travis Hunter, the two-way star who won the Heisman in 2023, had a consistent quarterback in Shedeur Sanders. Without Sayin, Smith's production could plummet, and the Heisman committee rarely rewards players whose stats dip in the second half of the season.
Of course, Smith has already shown he can dominate even when his QB is off. He made a spectacular one-handed grab against Maryland that left fans speechless, and his touchdown against Indiana came on a broken play. But if Fahey struggles, defenses will stack the box and dare the freshman to beat them—a recipe for disaster for Smith's numbers.
The Buckeyes have a bye week before facing USC on October 31, giving Fahey time to prepare. But the pressure is immense. Smith's Heisman hopes now rest on the arm of a player who has yet to complete a pass in college. If Fahey can't deliver, Smith's campaign could be over before the leaves fall.
For now, Smith remains optimistic, but the clock is ticking. The next few weeks will determine whether he's a Heisman finalist or just a great receiver on a team with an injured quarterback.
