Can Ohio State Beat Michigan Without Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith

If the Ohio State Buckeyes are forced to face arch-rival Michigan without their two most explosive playmakers next Saturday, they at least now have a blueprint for how to survive.

Top-ranked Ohio State (11-0) dismantled Rutgers 42-9 on Saturday, a victory secured without sophomore sensation Jeremiah Smith or junior standout Carnell Tate. With both star receivers sidelined by lower-body injuries, the Buckeyes pivoted to a gritty, tight-end-heavy attack that prioritized ball control over aerial fireworks—a formula they may need to replicate to snap their four-game losing streak against the Wolverines.

Head coach Ryan Day listed both receivers as “day-to-day” following the win, offering no guarantees they would be available for “The Game.”

“They’re working hard to get back on the field. That’s it,” Day said.

If they can’t go, here is how Ohio State’s performance against Rutgers suggests they can still beat Michigan.

The “Next Man Up” Blueprint

Against Rutgers, quarterback Julian Sayin didn’t force the issue. Instead of the deep vertical shots that have defined the offense this season, Sayin was efficient, completing 13 of 19 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns.

The Buckeyes found a new primary weapon in tight end Max Klare. The junior became the focal point of the passing game, hauling in seven catches for 105 yards and a touchdown. His ability to find soft spots in the zone and win contested catches over the middle provided the safety valve Sayin needed.

“We’ve got a lot of weapons,” Sayin said. “Max did a great job stepping up today.”

In the red zone, Brandon Inniss filled the void on the perimeter, catching a key 7-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. While the receiver room lacks the terrifying depth of years past, the combination of Inniss, Bryson Rodgers, and a heavy dosage of tight ends proved sufficient against a Big Ten defense.

Relying on the Ground Game

Perhaps the most encouraging sign for a potential Smith-less game plan was the dominance of the rushing attack. Freshman running back Bo Jackson carried the load, rushing 19 times for 110 yards and two scores.

Michigan’s defense, led by defensive tackles Rayshaun Benny and edge rusher Derrick Moore, presents a far stiffer challenge than Rutgers. However, if Ohio State lacks its vertical threats, they will likely lean into “12 personnel” (one running back, two tight ends) to neutralize Michigan’s pass rush and pound the rock.

The Michigan Factor

Can this stripped-down version of Ohio State beat Michigan? The odds may actually be improving due to attrition on the other sideline.

Michigan (9-2) is dealing with its own significant loss after running back Justice Haynes suffered a season-ending foot injury. Without Haynes, the Wolverines’ offense lacks its usual punch, potentially turning next week’s showdown into a defensive struggle.

If Smith and Tate are out, Ohio State doesn’t need to score 40 points to win; they simply need to protect the football and trust a defense that held Rutgers to just 147 total yards.

The Verdict

Winning in Ann Arbor without the nation’s best receiver duo would require a fundamental shift in identity. The “air raid” Buckeyes would have to become the “ground and pound” Buckeyes.

Saturday proved they are capable of making that switch. Whether it will be enough to beat a Michigan team that has owned this rivalry since 2021 remains the defining question of Ryan Day’s season.