The Three Threats: Ohio State Players Michigan Must Fear In “The Game”

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Ann Arbor is set to be the center of the college football universe this Saturday, November 29th, as the undefeated, top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes travel to face their arch-rival, the Michigan Wolverines. For the past four years, the Wolverines have dominated this rivalry, a fact that has fueled the Buckeyes' relentless pursuit of perfection this season. If Michigan is to defend the Big Ten and continue its recent success in The Game, the defense, led by coordinator Wink Martindale, must have a clear strategy for neutralizing Ohio State's most potent weapons.

Ohio State boasts the nation's best overall defense and a highly explosive offense, even with a young quarterback in Julian Sayin. The Buckeyes' success is built on elite talent, and Michigan needs to focus its defensive efforts on three specific playmakers who can single-handedly change the course of the game.

 

1. Wide Receiver Jeremiah Smith: The Game-Wrecking Talent

Sophomore wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is widely considered by many to be the best player in college football, and the primary target of any Michigan defensive game plan. Despite battling recent injury concerns alongside fellow star wideout Carnell Tate, Smith's presence alone warps a defense.

Smith is an elite combination of size, speed, route-running prowess, and hands. He has an uncanny ability to create separation and win contested catches, leading the team in receiving yards and touchdowns. Smith is already a national champion and his per-game production this season has been even higher than his star-studded freshman campaign.

  • The Problem for Michigan: Ohio State has been strategically moving Smith around the formation, including utilizing him heavily in the slot position recently to create mismatches. Against Michigan's Cover-4 scheme, moving him inside forces the Wolverines to decide whether to bracket him—potentially leaving their corners on an island elsewhere—or trust a single defender against arguably the most dangerous receiving threat in the country. The pass-happy nature of the Ohio State offense, which ranks 19th in the nation, means Smith is involved in virtually every dropback.

 

2. Safety Caleb Downs: The Defensive Linchpin

While the focus often drifts to the offensive firepower, the Buckeyes' defense is the foundation of their perfect season, ranking No. 1 nationally in scoring, total defense, and passing yards allowed. The linchpin of this unit is junior safety Caleb Downs.

Downs is a do-everything safety who is a finalist for major defensive awards and is a consensus second-ranked player in college football (behind only his teammate Smith). He is the elite football IQ that makes Matt Patricia's defense function at an elite level.

  • The Problem for Michigan: Downs is rarely stationary. He plays free safety, covers the slot, and even lines up at linebacker. He’s a heat-seeking missile against the run and screen game, and elite in coverage over the middle. Against Michigan's potent rushing attack, which boasts two more than capable running backs in Jordan Marshall and Bryson Kuzdzal, Downs' ability to blow up plays near the line of scrimmage will be critical. If Michigan's young quarterback Bryce Underwood is forced to win with his arm, Downs will be waiting in the secondary to capitalize on any mistakes.

 

3. Running Back Bo Jackson: The Emerging Ground Threat

With the injury concerns at wide receiver, Ohio State's rushing attack has been forced to kick into a higher gear, and true freshman running back Bo Jackson has been a revelation. Named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week, Jackson is quickly becoming the dynamic running back the Buckeyes need to balance their attack.

  • The Problem for Michigan: Ohio State's offense has excelled at gap runs with RPO (Run-Pass Option) attached to the weak side, and Jackson's versatility is perfect for this scheme. He can take pressure off Sayin, especially if Smith and Tate are limited. Furthermore, film study suggests Michigan's defense has struggled with limiting checkdown routes. If Jackson can be an effective receiver out of the backfield—as some analysts project him to have 6-7 catches for around 70 yards—he provides a much-needed outlet for Sayin and can exploit a soft spot in the Michigan defense, turning routine checkdowns into valuable yardage.

For Michigan to secure a fifth straight victory in this storied rivalry, the attention must be paid to more than just the quarterback. Neutralizing the generational talent of Smith, running away from the defensive intelligence of Downs, and containing the emerging threat of Jackson are the three keys to victory for the Wolverines.

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