ATLANTA — Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State’s superstar freshman receiver, sounded downright giddy at the possibility of seeing single coverage on Monday night.
Notre Dame has a terrific secondary, and typically relies on that group. It led the nation in passing efficiency defense. But it hasn’t seen a group of receivers like the ones belonging to the Buckeyes. They were third in passing efficiency.
“If you are going to play man [to-man defense] against Ohio State, be ready,” Smith said Saturday. “I can’t wait to put on a show.”
The dynamic wideout destroyed Tennessee and Oregon in the first two rounds of the playoff, making 13 catches for 290 yards and four touchdowns. Texas limited him to just one reception for three years by sending extra defensive backs his way, freeing up Ohio State’s other dynamic weapons.
This week, Notre Dame standout freshman cornerback Leonard Moore said the Irish aren’t going to change “who we are” by switching to zone coverage.
“We’re going to play man coverage like we do every week,” said Moore, the National Freshman Defensive Player of the Year, as voted on by the Football Writers Association of America.
He added: “We’re going to go out there and challenge the receivers.”
Smith is ready to be tested. Ohio State also has explosive threats Emeka Egbuka (947 yards, 10 touchdowns) and Carnell Tate (698 yards, four touchdowns) on the outside who are difficult to deal with.
“None of us think we can be covered. I mean, we actually talked about this yesterday, as well,” Smith said. “If that’s what they do, that’s what they do. We’re just going to go out there, play our game and show the reason not to play man on man.”
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman doesn’t sound all that interested in coaching in the NFL. It was reported recently that the Bears are looking to interview Freeman for their head coach vacancy.
“To hear that the Bears have interest, it’s humbling. It’s the NFL,” he said. “But it’s also a reminder [that] with team success, comes individual success.
“I have put zero thought into coaching in the NFL. All my attention has just been on getting this team prepared for every opportunity we have in front of us. Probably not the answer you’re looking for, but that’s the answer you’re going to get.”
Freeman recently signed a four-year contract extension with Notre Dame that extends through the 2030 season.
