A Motivated Buckeyes Team: Why Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin Are Poised to Respond
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Ohio State enters the heart of its season with growing scrutiny, and while the Buckeyes remain one of college football’s most talented teams, recent events have created a sense of dissatisfaction within the program. The performance against Indiana, combined with individual award snubs involving Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin, has added fuel to an already competitive roster—one now playing with a noticeable chip on its shoulder.
Against Indiana, Ohio State failed to deliver the dominant showing many expected. While the Buckeyes controlled the game in stretches, the performance lacked consistency, rhythm, and explosive execution. Missed opportunities and stalled drives led to criticism that the offense was not operating at a championship level. For a program held to elite standards, anything short of dominance is viewed as a concern, and the Indiana game became a reference point for doubt surrounding Ohio State’s ceiling.
For wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, that doubt extends beyond team performance. Despite emerging as one of the most physically gifted and productive receivers in the nation, Smith did not receive the Best Receiver Award. His size, speed, and ability to change games have forced defenses to alter coverage schemes, yet national recognition failed to follow. For a competitor of Smith’s caliber, being overlooked is not easily dismissed—it becomes motivation.
Quarterback Julian Sayin faces a similar situation. Once firmly in the national conversation, Sayin ultimately did not win the Heisman Trophy. While the award is influenced by narrative, timing, and team momentum, the reality remains that Sayin’s season placed him among college football’s elite. Falling short of the sport’s highest individual honor is a disappointment that often lingers, particularly for a quarterback defined by preparation, precision, and leadership.
Together, these moments have created a powerful internal edge. The Indiana performance questioned Ohio State’s dominance. The award results questioned its stars. Rather than weakening confidence, those doubts have sharpened it. Elite athletes rarely respond to criticism with hesitation; they respond with urgency.
That “chip on the shoulder” mentality has historically been a defining trait of Ohio State teams at their most dangerous. It brings sharper focus in practice, heightened accountability in execution, and a refusal to settle for anything less than excellence. For Smith, it means proving he is not just one of the best receivers this season, but one of the best in the country. For Sayin, it means leading with authority and reminding voters—and opponents—why he belonged in the Heisman discussion.
As the Buckeyes move forward, the narrative surrounding them may shift quickly. Doubt, when paired with elite talent, often produces the most explosive responses. With Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin carrying unfinished business, Ohio State is positioned not as a team rattled by criticism—but as one prepared to answer it emphatically
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