The Oregon Ducks don’t need any extra motivation for their Rose Bowl matchup against Ohio State on Jan. 1, but Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has given them some fuel. During a press conference on Monday, Smith confidently declared, “If you play man coverage Wednesday, we’re taking a shot.”
This statement likely caught the attention of Oregon head coach Dan Lanning and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi. Known for their ability to energize the Ducks without any external prodding, Lanning and his staff won’t need much to use this as inspiration for their team. The Ducks have shown this resilience in the past, as Colorado learned the hard way.
On the other side, the Buckeyes come into the game riding high on confidence. They recently dominated Tennessee 42-17 in the first round of the College Football Playoff. The Volunteers relied heavily on man coverage in their defensive strategy, which proved costly. Smith capitalized with six receptions for 103 yards and two touchdowns, while Emeka Egbuka added five catches for 81 yards.
Despite Smith’s comments, the Ducks are unlikely to overhaul their defensive approach. Oregon’s defense typically employs a blend of coverages, including man-to-man. They also boast one of the top cornerbacks in the country, Jabbar Muhammad, who will likely play a critical role in containing Smith.
The showdown between Smith and Muhammad could be one of the most intriguing aspects of the game, adding to the excitement of what is shaping up to be one of the season’s premier matchups.