The Ohio State Buckeyes are entering the 2026 season as the favorites to win the national championship.
That goal eluded them last season despite an undefeated regular season.
In the Big Ten Championship Game, the Buckeyes fell 13-10 to the eventual national champion Indiana Hoosiers, then lost 24-14 to the eventual runner-up Miami Hurricanes 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl.
Ending a disappointing season on a two-game losing streak left a bad taste in the Buckeyes’ mouths, and no one knows that more than superstar wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.
As for which loss hurt more — and which team he wants revenge on — there’s only one answer for Smith.
‘Gotta Be the Hometown Team’
Smith is a native of Miami Gardens, so to no one’s surprise, he’s gotten an earful about that Cotton Bowl loss.
Bud Elliot of the “Cover 3 Podcast” asked Smith about the Buckeye’s “revenge tour” this season, and Smith was unequivocal with his answer.
“Gotta be the hometown team, Miami. Gotta be,” he said, shaking his head. “I heard it a lot every time I went back home. Gotta be Miami. Gots to.”
To be fair, that loss was hardly on Smith. He had seven catches for 157 yards that game — including one for 59 yards — and a touchdown.
However, two interceptions for quarterback Julian Sayin, including a 72-yard pick-six, helped lead to an upset for the Buckeyes, who came in as 9.5 point favorites in their bid to repeat as national champions.
The Buckeyes have reloaded for another title run, leading Smith to stay in Columbus despite offers of $10 million to play elsewhere.
“I always wanted to be at Ohio State,” he said. “It would be dumb for me to leave Ohio State and go to another team when I have the best offensive line in the country, the best quarterback in the country, the best coaches in the country.”
Smith also acknowledged that this will likely be his last season at Ohio State, as he’s a presumed top pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
That, however, is still a ways away. In the meantime, Smith has revenge on his mind.