November 7, 2026 — Ohio State may be fighting for its College Football Playoff future, but Jeremiah Smith remains firmly in the race for college football’s most prestigious individual award. After slipping behind Miami quarterback Darian Mensah following the USC defeat, the Buckeyes’ extraordinary wide receiver has returned to the top of several Heisman betting markets. Now, with Oregon coming to Columbus, Smith has an opportunity to deliver another defining performance.
THE HEISMAN RACE HAS TAKEN ANOTHER TURN
Jeremiah Smith refuses to disappear from the national conversation.
Ohio State has suffered two painful defeats.
Its starting quarterback remains sidelined.
And its projected playoff position has become dangerously uncertain.
Yet Smith continues to command attention as one of college football’s most outstanding players.
After losing his position as the clear Heisman betting favorite earlier this week, the Buckeyes receiver has returned to the top of several markets.
It is another remarkable development in an increasingly unpredictable award race.
And Saturday’s showdown with Oregon could prove enormously important.
THE ODDS HAVE SHIFTED DRAMATICALLY
Smith entered the USC game as the leading Heisman favorite.
But Ohio State’s 30–18 defeat changed the conversation.
His odds drifted from approximately +110 to +275 at BetMGM.
Miami quarterback Darian Mensah moved ahead after another impressive performance for the undefeated Hurricanes.
For several days, Smith appeared to be losing ground.
But the market shifted again.
By November 6, some sportsbooks listed Smith at approximately +160.
Other markets placed him alongside Mensah or narrowly ahead.
The message was clear.
Smith’s candidacy remained stronger than the Buckeyes’ recent results might suggest.
ONE IMPORTANT DISTINCTION MATTERS
Betting odds measure market expectations.
They do not determine who wins the Heisman Trophy.
The award is decided through votes from eligible electors, including sports journalists and previous winners.
Those voters evaluate individual excellence across the season.
Team success can influence perceptions, but it is not the only consideration.
Smith’s position in betting markets therefore provides a snapshot of public expectations.
It is not an official award ranking.
The distinction is especially important because different sportsbooks currently disagree about the favorite.
Smith remains a leading contender.
The race is far from decided.
HIS SEASON STATISTICS ARE EXTRAORDINARY
Through eight games, Smith has recorded 62 receptions for 1,067 yards and thirteen touchdowns.
He averages 17.2 yards per catch.
Those numbers demonstrate an exceptional combination of production and explosive ability.
Smith has repeatedly challenged opposing defenses with deep routes, contested catches and precise timing.
His receiving yardage places him among the national leaders.
His touchdown production has also been remarkable.
And he has delivered against highly ranked opponents, not merely weaker competition.
For Heisman voters, that consistency represents an important part of his case.
THE ILLINOIS GAME WAS UNFORGETTABLE
Smith produced one of the most dominant individual performances of the season against Illinois on September 26.
He caught twelve passes for 217 yards and four touchdowns.
The performance immediately attracted national attention.
Smith earned several weekly honors, including recognition from the Associated Press, Maxwell Football Club and Walter Camp Football Foundation.
It was the kind of afternoon that can transform an award campaign.
The Buckeyes did not simply win.
Their superstar receiver demonstrated that he could overwhelm a defense through repeated explosive plays.
THEN HE TORCHED IOWA
One week later, Smith delivered another remarkable performance.
Against Iowa, he recorded eleven receptions for 206 yards and two touchdowns.
Ohio State defeated the Hawkeyes 31–14.
Smith’s production helped the Buckeyes overcome a challenging opponent.
It also strengthened his pursuit of the Heisman.
Consecutive games exceeding 200 receiving yards are difficult to achieve.
Doing so against Big Ten competition made the accomplishment even more impressive.
By early October, Smith had established himself as a central figure in the national award discussion.
THE USC LOSS DID NOT ERASE HIS GREATNESS
Ohio State’s defeat against USC was deeply disappointing.
But Smith still recorded ten catches for 83 yards and a touchdown.
The numbers reflected a different offensive situation.
Freshman Luke Fahey was making his first collegiate start after Julian Sayin’s injury.
The Buckeyes struggled with protection, penalties and missed opportunities.
Smith’s production lacked the explosive gains seen earlier in the season.
Yet he remained the team’s most reliable receiving option.
Even during a difficult defeat, he continued contributing.
That resilience helps explain why his Heisman candidacy has survived.
HIS TOUCHDOWN MADE BIG TEN HISTORY
The USC game also produced a remarkable individual milestone.
Smith caught the fortieth receiving touchdown of his Ohio State career.
That score established a new Big Ten career record.
It was an extraordinary achievement for a player still competing in his junior season.
Smith had already become Ohio State’s career leader in receiving yards, receptions and receiving touchdowns during the previous weeks.
Those records demonstrate sustained excellence.
He is not simply producing one memorable season.
He is rewriting the history of a program known for developing outstanding receivers.
THE JULIAN SAYIN INJURY CHANGED HIS CHALLENGE
Smith’s Heisman pursuit became more difficult when Sayin suffered a throwing-arm injury against Indiana on October 17.
The two had developed an effective passing partnership.
Sayin’s accuracy and confidence helped Smith create explosive plays.
Without him, Ohio State has been forced to adjust its offensive approach.
Fahey is talented, but he lacks his teammate’s experience.
That changes the timing and structure of the passing game.
Smith must now establish chemistry with a different quarterback while defenses continue treating him as the Buckeyes’ primary threat.
LUKE FAHEY CAN HELP KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE
Fahey’s first start against USC included 260 passing yards and a touchdown.
He also experienced difficulties expected from an inexperienced quarterback.
But Ohio State’s coaches have publicly supported his development.
The receiving corps must help him succeed.
Smith can play an especially important role.
His ability to create separation and make difficult catches gives Fahey a dependable target.
Effective communication will be essential.
If their partnership improves, Ohio State could regain some of the offensive explosiveness it has recently missed.
That improvement could also strengthen Smith’s individual award case.
DARIAN MENSAH IS A SERIOUS RIVAL
Smith faces formidable competition from Miami quarterback Darian Mensah.
Through the Hurricanes’ first eight games, Mensah had thrown for 2,425 yards and twenty-five touchdowns against just one interception.
Miami remained undefeated.
Those statistics provide a compelling argument for his candidacy.
Quarterbacks also possess a historical advantage in Heisman voting.
Their position gives them direct influence over nearly every offensive possession.
Smith must therefore overcome both Mensah’s production and the traditional preference for quarterbacks.
The competition remains extremely close.
MIAMI’S MALACHI TONEY IS ANOTHER THREAT
Mensah is not the only Hurricane attracting Heisman attention.
Freshman receiver Malachi Toney has produced an outstanding season.
He entered November with 73 receptions for 1,027 yards and thirteen touchdowns.
That production compares favorably with some of Smith’s statistical achievements.
Toney’s success also benefits from Miami’s undefeated record.
The presence of multiple strong candidates demonstrates how competitive the race has become.
Smith cannot rely exclusively on his early-season performances.
He must continue producing memorable moments during the final month.
OREGON OFFERS A PERFECT NATIONAL STAGE
Saturday’s matchup gives Smith another major opportunity.
Ohio State hosts Oregon at 3:30 p.m. Eastern on CBS.
The game will attract significant national attention because of both programs’ playoff ambitions.
Oregon enters ranked twenty-third.
Ohio State sits twelfth.
Both teams need a victory.
For Smith, the stage is enormous.
A dominant performance against a nationally recognized opponent would strengthen his case for individual honors.
It could also help restore momentum to the Buckeyes’ season.
OREGON KNOWS WHO IT MUST STOP
The Ducks understand that Smith is Ohio State’s most dangerous receiving weapon.
Dan Lanning’s defense must account for his speed, size and ability to win contested catches.
Oregon could use additional coverage attention to limit his opportunities.
But concentrating too heavily on Smith creates potential openings elsewhere.
That places responsibility on Ohio State’s other receivers and running backs.
If they contribute consistently, Oregon may be forced to loosen its coverage.
Smith’s individual success could therefore depend on the performance of the entire offense.
THE BUCKEYES NEED MORE THAN A HEISMAN CAMPAIGN
Ohio State cannot approach Saturday simply as an opportunity to improve Smith’s statistics.
The Buckeyes are 6–2 and currently outside the projected College Football Playoff bracket.
Their postseason future is under significant pressure.
A victory over Oregon would provide a valuable résumé improvement.
Another loss could make qualification far more difficult.
Smith’s most important contribution would be helping Ohio State win.
Individual accolades may follow.
But team success remains the immediate priority.
That reality creates an opportunity for a performance that matters in both races.
THE HOMECOMING ATMOSPHERE WILL BE ELECTRIC
Ohio State is hosting its Scarlet the Shoe celebration.
Fans are expected to fill Ohio Stadium wearing scarlet.
Former quarterback Cardale Jones will also serve as the honorary Victory Bell Ringer.
His return provides a connection to Ohio State’s national championship victory over Oregon following the 2014 season.
The atmosphere should be memorable.
For Smith, the game offers a chance to create another important moment in front of the home crowd.
But emotion alone will not produce touchdowns.
The Buckeyes must execute effectively against a talented opponent.
THE HEISMAN RACE IS STILL WIDE OPEN
Smith remains one of the country’s leading candidates.
But the final month of the season will influence how voters evaluate him.
A strong performance against Oregon could improve his standing.
Additional explosive games against Northwestern, Nebraska and Michigan would strengthen his statistical résumé.
At the same time, the performances of Mensah, Toney and other contenders will matter.
The race could change dramatically over the coming weeks.
For Smith, the most effective response is straightforward.
Continue producing at an elite level.
Help Ohio State win.
And let the results shape the conversation.
THE FINAL VERDICT: JEREMIAH SMITH IS STILL A HEISMAN FORCE
Jeremiah Smith’s 2026 season has already been extraordinary.
He has recorded 62 catches for 1,067 yards and thirteen touchdowns through eight games.
He has produced consecutive 200-yard performances.
He has broken major Ohio State receiving records.
And he has established a new Big Ten career touchdown mark.
Those accomplishments explain why he remains near the top of the Heisman race despite two Ohio State defeats.
For Smith, Saturday represents an opportunity to add another defining chapter to an outstanding season.
For Luke Fahey, the challenge is building a stronger passing connection with his superstar receiver.
For Ryan Day, the priority is creating an offense that can maximize Smith’s talent while improving overall execution.
For Buckeye Nation, the hope is that their best player can help rescue a season facing enormous pressure.
Jeremiah Smith may have temporarily lost his position as the betting favorite, but he never stopped being one of college football’s most dangerous players.
Now, with Oregon coming to Columbus and the Heisman conversation intensifying, the stage is set for another unforgettable performance.
The award is not his yet. The playoff berth is not secure.
But Jeremiah Smith still has the opportunity to influence both races—and remind the nation why his name belongs at the center of college football’s biggest individual conversation.
