IU football head coach Curt Cignetti has faced plenty of talented players throughout his coaching career, but when discussing Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith ahead of Saturday’s top-five showdown, he struggled to find an adequate description.
“There’s no one like him right now, playing at this level,” Cignetti said during Monday’s press conference. “He’s a freak. And we’re gonna have to do a great job on him.”
As No. 5 Indiana prepares to host No. 4 Ohio State at Memorial Stadium, slowing down Smith will be among the Hoosiers’ most difficult tasks. The junior receiver has established himself as one of college football’s premier offensive weapons, posing a significant challenge for an Indiana secondary that looks considerably different from the one that faced him last December.
In six games, Smith has caught 48 passes for 916 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 152.7 yards per game and 19.1 yards per reception. His recent production has been particularly impressive, totaling 516 yards and eight touchdowns over his last three contests, including consecutive 200-yard performances against Illinois and Iowa.
Smith has also consistently produced explosive plays. Of his 48 receptions, 23 have gained at least 15 yards, while 10 have gone for 25 or more. Additionally, 39 of his catches have resulted in first downs.
However, Indiana has experienced some success containing Smith in previous meetings. During the 2024 regular season, Smith caught just three passes for 34 yards against the Hoosiers before recording eight receptions for 144 yards in last season’s Big Ten championship game.
Despite his production in Indianapolis, Indiana held Ohio State to 10 points in a 13-10 victory, keeping Smith out of the end zone for the second consecutive meeting.
Replicating that defensive performance will require a different group of defensive backs to step into prominent roles.
In each previous meeting against Smith, Indiana relied heavily on All-American cornerback D’Angelo Ponds, who also played alongside Smith at Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School in South Florida. With Ponds now in the NFL, redshirt senior Jamari Sharpe has emerged as Indiana’s top cornerback after starting opposite him last season.
Although Ponds received much of the national recognition, Sharpe quietly established himself as one of the country’s better cornerbacks. He earned an 84.6 Pro Football Focus coverage grade last season, ranking 17th nationally among qualifying players at his position, while recording 50 tackles and six pass breakups.
Sharpe also delivered one of the defining plays of Indiana’s national championship run, intercepting Miami quarterback Carson Beck to seal the Hoosiers’ victory in January.
Now, the veteran cornerback faces greater responsibility as Indiana’s established No. 1 option, with Smith presenting arguably his toughest individual challenge of the season.
The Hoosiers have also dealt with injuries elsewhere at cornerback, including AJ Harris, who returned to action against Nebraska after missing extended time. His return gives Indiana another experienced option as it prepares to face Ohio State’s explosive passing attack.
Beyond the cornerbacks, Indiana’s safety group could play a significant role in limiting Smith’s production downfield.
After losing veteran safeties Louis Moore and Devan Boykin, both exhausted their eligibility, following last season’s national championship run, Indiana has turned to returner Amare Ferrell and Wisconsin transfer Preston Zachman to anchor its back end. Ferrell recorded four interceptions during Indiana’s 2025 championship season, while Zachman arrived in Bloomington with seven career interceptions.
The experienced pairing gives defensive coordinator Bryant Haines options for additional over-the-top coverage. Their ability to communicate and help against deep routes could prove critical, particularly considering Smith’s combination of size, speed and ability to make contested catches.
However, preventing Smith from getting behind the defense is only one part of the challenge.
Ohio State has frequently moved its star receiver around the formation, utilizing deep routes, multiple-move concepts and shorter passes designed to get the ball into his hands.
Smith has been targeted 67 times through six games, accounting for approximately 37% of the Buckeyes’ passing attempts.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day emphasized how difficult it is to defend Smith during a recent media availability, even suggesting that additional defenders might not be enough to neutralize him.
“If it’s one-on-one, he’s open. If he’s double covered, he’s sort of open. If he’s triple covered, he’s covered,” Day said.
Although Day made the remark partly in jest, his comments illustrate the confidence Ohio State has in Smith’s ability to make plays regardless of the coverage he faces.
Indiana linebacker Isaiah Jones highlighted that versatility during Tuesday’s media availability.
“Whether it’s a quadruple move down the middle of the field or they’re going to turn him a screen, he can turn it on like that and start getting vertical,” Jones said.
Jones added that Smith’s ability to generate explosive plays extends well beyond his reputation as a vertical threat, emphasizing how dangerous he becomes after catching shorter passes over the middle.
That versatility adds responsibility for Indiana’s linebackers and safeties, who must stay disciplined against intermediate routes while also preventing short completions from turning into big gains.
Indiana’s tackling will be particularly important after the Hoosiers missed 11 tackles in their contest at Nebraska. Against a receiver capable of creating separation and breaking tackles in space, limiting yards after the catch could make the difference between a manageable completion and a game-changing play.
Generating pressure on Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin could also help Indiana avoid extended coverage situations, particularly when the Buckeyes attempt to attack downfield.
“He’s taken it up a notch without question,” Cignetti said of Smith. “We’re gonna have to do a great job on him.”
Indiana has already shown it can beat Ohio State without completely shutting down its superstar receiver. But with Smith playing at an unprecedented level and a retooled secondary preparing for its toughest assignment yet, the Hoosiers will need another disciplined defensive performance Saturday.
Smith has accumulated 178 receiving yards against Indiana over two career meetings, but has yet to reach the end zone.
Keeping that streak intact could go a long way toward determining whether Indiana can defeat Ohio State for the second consecutive time.
