Jeremiah Smith’s Heisman Trophy bid has taken a catastrophic hit following Ohio State’s 41-28 defeat to Oregon on November 7. The Buckeyes suffered their third regular-season loss for the first time in 15 years, a result that shattered their national title hopes and significantly diminished their individual award prospects. Despite leading 14-0 after the first quarter, Ohio State collapsed, surrendering 38 consecutive points to the Ducks in a stunning reversal that left the program reeling.
Ohio State’s third defeat of the season effectively ends the wide receiver’s award campaign.
Smith’s statistical line of seven catches for 133 yards and one touchdown against Oregon failed to save the game, as the bulk of his production came after the Buckeyes had already fallen behind by multiple scores. His only touchdown, a 13-yard reception, arrived with just 3:25 remaining in the fourth quarter, highlighting the team’s inability to compete consistently throughout the contest. This late-game heroism, while impressive, was insufficient to offset the overall team failure and the lack of a winning trajectory for the season.
The betting markets have reacted swiftly to the loss, with Smith’s odds to win the Heisman Trophy ballooning from +275 to +700 on BetMGM as of 8:06 p.m. on November 7. Miami quarterback Darian Mensah now holds the strongest position at +110, preparing to face Notre Dame quarterback C.J. Carr in a pivotal matchup. With the Buckeyes’ season effectively over and their odds skyrocketing, Smith is now a long shot in a race that has shifted decisively toward other contenders.
Source: Yahoo Sports
