Buckeyes' Jeremiah Smith's Season Outlook Drastically Shifts with QB Changes

The outlook for the Ohio State Buckeyes' season has changed significantly over the past couple of days. The news of Julian Sayin's injury has taken Buckeye Nation by storm and has greatly impacted the outlook for the year.

For one guy who will be on the negative end of this is wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Smith is someone who hasn't been talked about much over the last several days as the Buckeyes have tried to get on their feet and plan a pathway forward.

If they want to get where they are trying to go, Smith's responsibility is going to change as well as his production for the Buckeyes. 

It really is a shame because Smith was off to a historic start to the season. He started the year going for over 150 yards in four of the first five games while having a two-game stretch of 23 catches for 423 yards and six touchdowns. He was on a tear, but now that is all gone by the wayside.

Against Indiana, he was able to find the end zone on a ridiculous connection from Sayin on a miraculous fourth-down conversion. He is still going to be just as special as he has always been, but his opportunities might be much scarcer than they were when Sayin was at the helm.

Smith was on pace to destroy almost every record imaginable. Now, his sights are set on just propelling the Buckeyes to victory; however, he has to. 

It is going to become increasingly harder for him to get the football because the jury is out on the Buckeyes' offense: make anyone else beat them not named Jeremiah Smith. It worked when the Texas Longhorns chased down the Buckeyes in Week 2. 

Now, it is just going to become harder for him to get the ball, as the future defenses that the Buckeyes face are going to make it impossible for it to get to him. Exotic coverages, crazy pressures, and just general confusion will be the play for any Buckeyes opponent going against Smith and whoever is at quarterback.

The Heisman Trophy conversation might change significantly, and so will the opportunity to garner several more postseason awards. 

That won't matter to Smith; what will matter is continuing to stack wins, one game at a time, for the Buckeyes, and if they do that, they just might find themselves back in the College Football Playoff conversation.