If exciting games with a flavor of revenge are your thing, then this game is for you. Ohio State wants to sink Oregon in a high-stakes Rose Bowl after succumbing to a closely contested 31-32 loss in their regular-season clash. But things get deceptive when you look at the paper. The pundits and pros have the Buckeyes as a clear favorite despite losing against the undefeated Ducks. So, if you are scratching your head, you are not alone. The question remains: how are OSU and Ryan Day going to redeem themselves in this CFB quarterfinal game? The answer lies in Jeremiah Smith.

This question also plagued Greg McElroy, who gave his critical insights on ESPN’s Get Up preview. The football fans vividly remember how Oregon pulled a winning goal with only two minutes remaining in the clock. What’s more? Inspirational and underrated performances from Matayo Uiagalelei also helped the Ducks pull the game. The lapse was two-fold—failure to run with the football and limit the explosive plays.

McElroy addressed the same when asked to point out how Ohio could run away with the win. He said, “If they can run the football, Greeny, and they got to limit the explosive plays.” The CFB analyst also predicted that the game would be a bit defensive this time. In addition, he noted how the Buckeyes leaked nine explosive plays, their most this season. The misery was compounded by their failure to move the ball after the first quarter. So, what’s the solution?

Jeremiah Smith and Co. need to step up. It’s as simple as it goes. Joined by the likes of Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate, the trio could rip the Ducks. But how will the trio stretch out Oregon? For it to happen, the running back duo of Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson will have to burden the shoulder.

McElroy continued, “Now they’re still going to give their looks to Jeremiah Smith and their elite receiving Corp. But you got to balance things out against Oregon, who’s so well-rounded defensively. So, I would anticipate a heavy load from Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson.”

It seems Smith already understands his role and how he could help the Buckeyes pick the win. He has already sent a warning to the Duck’s defensive line and burst their bubble of man-to-man marking. That’s not only it. The WR has specified Ohio’s attacking line’s intention to take a shot still at this tactical play.

Jeremiah Smith: Ohio State ready to run amok against Oregon

In their first encounter, Smith bent Oregon’s defensive multiple times, but it never shattered. The 19-year-old had nine catches for 100 yards and a touchdown but wants to improve more. He wants to run away with the ball after getting to it early and take on the defense, whether it’s a zonal or man-to-man. He told the media, “I’m just laughing in my head. Why are y’all really playing man-on-man against us, or against me, I should say?”

“And when we see man [coverage] against any of our receivers, we’re going to take a shot down the field. So I’m just letting everybody know right now that if you play man Wednesday, we’re taking a shot.”

The plan is clear for Smith—to take a shot. He did the same when he faced Tennessee and even triumphed over cornerback Jermod McCoy. However, the Buckeyes are without offensive lineman Seth McLaughlin and left tackle Josh Simmons, which could affect both of their objectives—running away with the ball and limiting the explosive plays.