Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith joined his teammate Caleb Downs and Indianapolis Colts receiver Josh Downs on this week’s episode of "Downs 2 Business" where Smith gave an injury update, revisited his freshman highlights (including that ridiculous Rose Bowl performance), and made his feelings about the rivalry painfully clear.
Smith Good to Go for the Game
As we reported on earlier in the week, Smith confirmed he will be ready to play in The Game.
“I'm feeling good," the star wideout said. "You know, dealing with a little situation injury-wise, but I should be good to go Saturday. It’s football at the end of the day.” [02:07]
In other words: expect No. 4 on the field in Ann Arbor.
On The Rivalry: “Forget Team Up North”
Smith didn’t bother to warm up before firing at Michigan.
“I’ve been hating them since high school… forget the Team Up North,” he said. That’s the goal of the season. Been waiting all season to play these guys.” [02:38]
Caleb then weighed in.
“I mean as a Christian you’re not supposed to hate nothing, so… extremely disliked. Extremely disliked.”
Message received.
Praise for Julian Sayin
Smith couldn’t say enough about his quarterback, Julian Sayin, calling him the best quarterback he’s ever played with and crediting their connection to the work they put in before the season started.
“Fall camp, that's when we really started clicking. Just going up to him, sayin, 'I got you. Just throw the ball up and I'll go get it for you.'” [13:40]
And then Smith put Sayin at the top.
“Julian is probably the best quarterback I've ever played with,” he said.
“I will say he's the best quarterback that I've ever played with,” Caleb quickly confirmed.
Reminded that he played with Will Howard last season, Smith smiled and said, “Yeah, but I've been saying Julian was like that since last year.”
Best Game, Best Catch, and Other Bits
Smith walked through his early-career highlight tape with the Downs brothers.
On his best overall performance:
“My greatest game ever got to be against Oregon, in the Rose Bowl... that was silly.” [06:00]
Smith's Buckeye wide receiver Mount Rushmore? Cris Carter, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Ted Ginn Jr. [24:30]
Hard to argue with that lineup. Smith also spoke about his massive hands, admitting he wears 3XL gloves, which seemed to short-circuit Josh Downs for a second. [10:13]
Eleven Warriors Fan Question of the Week
Lastly, VintonCountyBuck had the honors for our Eleven Warriors Fan Question of the Week, asking the guys about what they need to get better at as the intensity ramps up and the stakes become much higher.
“I feel like you can always improve as a leader,” Caleb said. “So for me, trying to find ways to… like Coach Mick says, our job is to motivate, so trying to find ways to motivate my teammates to come out every day with the intensity that's needed.”
You can watch the full episode of Downs 2 Business on YouTube.
