Buckeye vow sparks reply from Michigan commit now.
Michigan Commit Takes Jabs at Ohio State After Jeremiah Smith's Comment originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith reignited one of college football’s fiercest rivalries in a recent sit-down with The Athletic’s Manny Navarro, openly expressing his disdain for Michigan after last season’s 13–10 upset in Ann Arbor.
“I’m not a sore loser, but I hate losing, and losing to that team up north was pretty crazy,” Smith said, reflecting on how the defeat stung despite Ohio State’s ultimate CFP National Championship run. He didn’t stop there.
“For the next two years, I promise you, I will not lose to them. I can’t lose to them in the next two years,” he declared, ensuring Wolverines fans and players alike have bulletin‑board material heading into the 2025 season.
Barely 48 hours after Smith’s interview hit the headlines, 2026 Michigan cornerback commit Dorian Barney, who had previously considered Alabama, used nearly identical language in an On3 conversation with Chad Simmons.
“I will not lose to Ohio State while I’m there,” Barney told Simmons immediately upon announcing his commitment, emphasizing the blood‑feud aspect of The Game even before taking the field in maize and blue.
His statement arrived on the heels of Smith’s vow and highlighted how recruits are already internalizing and stoking the rivalry as they choose their future homes.
The fire was further fanned on ESPN’s Get Up, where veteran analyst Paul Finebaum commended Smith’s gutsy proclamation but reminded viewers just how elusive victory over Michigan has been.
Paul Finebaum is back at it, taking fresh shots at Ohio State on the 4th of July💥.
— Sportsnaut (@Sportsnaut) July 5, 2025
The ESPN analyst boldly predicted the defending champs will lose their opener to Texas and struggle to make the playoffs. He even doubled down on OSU’s losing streak to Michigan, saying Ryan Day… pic.twitter.com/IethTTSMaw
“I’m glad to see somebody on the Ohio State lineup maybe do something more than just mouthing words, because Jeremiah sounds serious,” Finebaum said, before skewering head coach Ryan Day’s track record.
“He’s(Day) promised after every loss not to lose again, and he continues to lose again.” Finebaum’s critique highlights the pressure building on Ohio State to deliver in the marquee matchup yet again.
Related: Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith Gets Brutally Candid on Michigan
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: General Sports
