Heisman hopeful showdown: Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith vs. Indiana's Josh Hoover

Heisman hopeful showdown: Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith vs. Indiana's Josh Hoover

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Heisman hopeful showdown: Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith vs. Indiana's Josh Hoover

Heisman hopeful showdown: Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith vs. Indiana's Josh Hoover originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Indiana and gritty quarterback Josh Hoover host Ohio State and superstar receiver Jeremiah Smith on Saturday in a matchup that could significantly affect the Heisman Trophy race.

In six games, Smith has 48 catches for 916 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has four games with at least 150 yards receiving and has caught at least two touchdown passes in three straight games.

Indiana is the defending national champion and is on a  22-game win streak, so a victory for Smith and the Buckeyes would be significant since Heismans tend to go to players who win big games.

Smith might get more resistance than usual. The Hoosiers feature an elite corner in Jamari Sharpe, a veteran set of safeties in Amare Ferrell and Preston Zachman and a talented rover in Byron Baldwin Jr. 

Hoover, a transfer from TCU, has been nearly flawless this season. In six games, he has passed for 1,364 yards and thrown 17 touchdown passes. He has thrown 129 passes this season without an interception.

This will be the most important game of Hoover's career. Despite Indiana's close calls against Northwestern and Nebraska, this will actually be the Hoosiers' first highly ranked opponent of the season. Hoover has done well when the Hoosiers are the clear favorite. Ohio State is a slight favorite and poses a different challenge. 

MORE: Smith, Hoover among top Heisman contenders

This also gives Hoover a chance to further step out of Fernando Mendoza's shadow. Mendoza, Indiana's quarterback last season, won the Heisman and the national title.

Hoover's two dramatic touchdown passes in the fourth quarter against Nebraska last week were impressive. But doing something like that against Ohio State would carry more weight, and Smith's presence creates a bigger stage.

Ohio State's defense will be the best Indiana has faced this season. The Buckeyes lead the nation in pass efficiency defense and rank fifth in total defense and eighth in passing yards allowed per game.

Both will probably remain highly respected by Heisman voters, no matter what happens. But a win here, especially if either plays a critical role, would be hard to ignore down the road.

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