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Jeremiah Smith Was Asked About Michigan. Only 1 Word Came To Mind

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Aug 20, 2025 3:38 PM ET

As a freshman with the Ohio State Buckeyes last season the arch-rival Michigan Wolverines robbed Jeremiah Smith of a chance to compete for the Big Ten title in their stunning upset win in Columbus. Despite having five receptions for 35 yards and a touchdown, Michigan's defense was too stout in their 13-10 defeat.

Heading into the 2025 season, expectations are even higher for Smith, who many deem the best player in the entire country. But The Game will be held in Ann Arbor at the end of the season, where the atmosphere will be significantly tougher than last year.

When asked to give his feels on the Michigan Wolverines ahead of this season, Smith had just one word to describe them: Hate.

“Hate,” Smith said on The Triple Option podcast. “You know. With everything in me, I hate them.”

Clearing the air

Smith has made it clear that he has no love for Michigan and loathes the idea of losing to his team's arch-rivals ever again. Earlier this summer he went so far as to vow never to lose to them again.

“I’m not a sore loser, but I hate losing, and losing to that team up north was pretty crazy,” Smith said. “In the end, I think it really helped us play the way we did in the playoffs. But I didn’t want to go to Ohio State and lose to That Team Up North. I just hate them. Just something about them. For the next two years, I promise you, I will not lose to them. I can’t lose to them in the next two years.”

Expectations for 2025

As the defending national champions, the goal for 2025 is obviously to repeat as champions - something that Ohio State, for all of the school's achievements, has never accomplished. But it's hard enough to repeat as champions even when you're bringing back all of your starters.

The Buckeyes head into 2025 with a brand new, first-time starter in Julian Sayin. While talented, Sayin has only 12 career passing attempts and his first-ever college football start will be coming against No. 1 Texas, led by Arch Manning.

That said, Sayin has one thing that no other team has: Jeremiah Smith.

If Smith can take control of the game, there's nothing the Buckeyes can't achieve.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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