Jeremiah Smith No Longer Heisman Favorite After Ohio State Falls to USC

Jeremiah Smith now sits at +340 on FanDuel Sportsbook, a drop from his status as the clear favorite for the Heisman Trophy. He has been overtaken by Miami's Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney following Ohio State's 30-18 loss to USC on Saturday in Los Angeles. The result signals a shift in the national narrative for the Buckeyes receiver, who had been viewed as the most likely winner of the award entering the week.

Smith's path to the trophy has become more complicated since Julian Sayin suffered a potential season-ending injury late in the win over Indiana two weeks prior. The Buckeyes entered the bye week without a clear plan for the quarterback position. Luke Fahey stepped in for the game against the Trojans, marking his first start in the role.

The offensive output against USC did not match the team's national championship aspirations. Although USC's defense had allowed 11 passes of 30 yards or more through the season, ranking 83rd in the country, Smith's longest catch was 27 yards. His production of 10 receptions on 12 targets for 83 yards and one touchdown represented a dip from his season average of nearly 19 yards per catch, landing at 8.3 yards per reception.

Much of Smith's yardage came late in the contest when Ohio State was already trailing by three scores. Fahey completed 21 of 38 passes for 260 yards and one touchdown, but his accuracy on deep throws left questions. One notable miss involved a long pass to Smith that was underthrown; Smith had two steps on his defender but slipped while adjusting to the ball.

The playing conditions in Los Angeles included rain, which may have affected passing mechanics. Nevertheless, the reliance on short and intermediate routes suggests a tactical shift. With Oregon, Northwestern, Nebraska, and Michigan remaining on the schedule, the Buckeyes appear likely to adopt a more run-heavy approach to keep Fahey comfortable, reducing the volume of deep shots that define Smith's profile.

The competition in Miami is moving in the opposite direction. The Hurricanes' defense allows opponents to score frequently, forcing their offense to rely heavily on its star quarterback-receiver combination. In Saturday's win over UNC in Chapel Hill, Mensah completed 22 of 29 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns. He assumed the favorite position at +170.

Toney, who is listed at +290, caught seven passes for 75 yards, including two touchdowns. One of those scores sealed the victory in the final minutes. Miami faces Notre Dame next week, a game that will draw national television attention and provide a prime stage for the Hurricanes' stars to make a final push for the award.

Smith's situation now depends partly on external factors. He needs Fahey to improve his deep ball accuracy and requires Miami's offense to struggle against Notre Dame. The Irish defense will need to limit Mensah and Toney to give Smith a comparable opportunity to shine. If Smith wins, it will mark the first time a receiver from Ohio State has taken the Heisman, extending his record-breaking tenure in the Big Ten.

The Buckeyes exit the loss with their quarterback situation under scrutiny. Fahey's performance against a defense that has been porous this season raises concerns for the remainder of the regular season. Smith remains the best receiver in Big Ten history, but the path to the individual crown now requires a combination of rapid quarterback development and favorable outcomes in Miami's upcoming game.

The Heisman Trophy ceremony is scheduled for early December. Smith is no longer the favorite, a position he has held for much of the season. The shift in odds reflects the immediate impact of the loss and the statistical comparison with Miami's players, setting up a final stretch where every snap carries weight for the individual award race.