### Ohio State Faces Injury Concerns Ahead of Rutgers Showdown As the regular season approaches its climax, No. 2 Ohio State is gearing up for a crucial home game against Rutgers on Saturday, November 25, 2025. The Buckeyes, currently on an eight-game winning streak, are facing significant uncertainty regarding the availability of their star wide receivers, Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. Smith, who has been a standout performer this season, is officially listed as questionable after being benched in the second half of last week's game against UCLA. Meanwhile, Tate has missed the last two games due to lower leg tightness. Head coach Ryan Day has provided limited updates, stating that both players are "working hard to get back on the field" but has not confirmed their status for the upcoming game [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/ohio_states_ryan_day_offers_cryptic_update_on_injured_receivers/s1_17355_43103837][https://apnews.com/article/ohio-state-rutgers-c2ae280407e7a5dfae98e2075896dba8]. ### Injury Status and Game Preparation 1. **Injury Updates**: - Jeremiah Smith is questionable after not finishing the last game due to a leg issue. He has 69 receptions for 902 yards and 10 touchdowns this season [https://www.thescore.com/ncaaf/news/3404039/ohio-state-faces-rutgers-with-uncertainty-over-star-receivers]. - Carnell Tate has missed the last two games and is dealing with lower leg tightness, having recorded 39 catches for 711 yards and 7 touchdowns [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/ryan_day_updates_injury_status_of_buckeyes_top_receivers/s1_17615_43094043]. - Running back C.J. Donaldson is also listed as questionable for the game [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/ryan_day_updates_injury_status_of_buckeyes_top_receivers/s1_17615_43094043]. 2. **Coaching Insights**: - Coach Ryan Day has emphasized the team's focus on the present and not disclosing specific injury details, stating, "Our policy's that we just don't discuss specifics on injuries" [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/no_1_ohio_state_isnt_revealing_wr_plans_for_game_vs_rutgers/s1_17047_43089915]. - Day's comments reflect a strategy to maintain team morale and avoid distractions as they prepare for the game against Rutgers and the upcoming rivalry match against Michigan [https://www.thescore.com/ncaaf/news/3404039/ohio-state-faces-rutgers-with-uncertainty-over-star-receivers]. 3. **Game Strategy**: - Despite the injury concerns, Ohio State has depth in their receiving corps, with senior Brandon Inniss stepping up in recent games [https://www.thescore.com/ncaaf/news/3404039/ohio-state-faces-rutgers-with-uncertainty-over-star-receivers]. - The Buckeyes are also looking to balance their offensive strategy, having rushed for 222 yards against UCLA, which could be crucial if their top receivers are unavailable [https://www.thescore.com/ncaaf/news/3404039/ohio-state-faces-rutgers-with-uncertainty-over-star-receivers]. ### Key Statistics and Performance Metrics - **Jeremiah Smith**: - Receptions: 69 - Yards: 902 - Touchdowns: 10 - **Carnell Tate**: - Receptions: 39 - Yards: 711 - Touchdowns: 7 - **Team Performance**: - Current Record: 10-0 - Big Ten Record: 7-0 - Average Winning Margin: 26 points in the last five games [https://www.thescore.com/ncaaf/news/3404039/ohio-state-faces-rutgers-with-uncertainty-over-star-receivers]. ### Conclusion: Navigating Uncertainty In summary, Ohio State is facing a pivotal moment as they prepare for their final regular-season game against Rutgers. The uncertainty surrounding the health of key players like Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate could significantly impact their offensive strategy. However, the Buckeyes have shown resilience and depth, which may allow them to navigate these challenges effectively. As they aim to maintain their winning streak and prepare for the rivalry game against Michigan, the focus remains on executing their game plan and adapting to the circumstances [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/ohio_states_ryan_day_offers_cryptic_update_on_injured_receivers/s1_17355_43103837][https://apnews.com/article/ohio-state-rutgers-c2ae280407e7a5dfae98e2075896dba8].