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‘About that game I had last year’ - Jeremiah Smith isn’t hiding his thoughts about Ohio State’s Week 1 battle against the Texas Longhorns

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brandon Little | Last updated Aug 2, 2025 6:16 PM ET

The Ohio State Buckeyes have put their first days of fall camp behind them as they prepare to defend their national championship with college football season right around the corner.

There won’t be any tune-up games for Ohio State in Week 1—Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns will roll into Columbus to open the season.

Looking ahead, Buckeyes star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith can’t wait for the matchup.

“I’m definitely hyped about this one, especially after how things went last year,” Smith said this week. “All the things people have been saying about me, about the game I had last year … I’m definitely hungry for this one.”

Jeremiah Smith on facing Texas in the season opener:

"I'm definitely hyped about this one, especially with how things went last year — things people saying about me, about that game I had last year," he said. "I'm definitely hungry for this one."
— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) August 1, 2025

Last season, Ohio State defeated Texas 28–14 in the Cotton Bowl CFP semifinal. Smith’s impact was felt—he drew coverage that opened up the Buckeyes’ offense—but he was held to just one catch for three yards and didn’t haul in any of his four total CFP touchdowns in that game.

On August 30, the spotlight will be on the beginning of the Manning era for Texas, while Ohio State still hasn’t named its starter under center—Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz remain in a tight battle. Whoever wins the job will have one mission above all else: get the ball to the Buckeyes’ No. 4, the “phenom sophomore” Jeremiah Smith.

Smith’s confidence is clear, and you can bet Texas will be scheming to contain him just like last time. One thing’s for sure: he’ll go for more than three yards in 2025.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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