Hardly anyone could contain Jeremiah Smith during his impressive freshman season at Ohio State. However, Texas managed to limit him to a season-low one catch for just three yards during their College Football Playoff clash. Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian is looking to recreate that success in a Week 1 rematch in Columbus.

Sarkisian credits his team’s top-notch defensive players and their strategic game plan for neutralizing Smith. “I do think, at the end of the day, that’s where your attention needs to be,” Sarkisian stated during an appearance on The Herd with Colin Cowherd. He emphasized the need for multiple defenders to track Smith as he moves across different positions on the field, while still maintaining strong team defense against Ohio State’s other talented receivers.

Despite the odds, with Texas currently three-point underdogs against the Buckeyes, Sarkisian remains confident that Smith will be the main focus of their defensive strategy: “I do think a multitude of things that you can do well, but you better know where No. 4 is at all times.”

Smith, meanwhile, is coming off one of the best freshman seasons in college football history, with Big Ten-best numbers in receiving yards (1,315) and touchdowns (15), drawing comparisons to stars like Julio Jones. Indiana coach Curt Cignetti echoed these comparisons during Big Ten Media Days, and Sarkisian acknowledges the resemblance, adding, “I had a chance to coach Julio Jones for two years in Atlanta. Reminds me a lot of him.”