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Indiana's HC Curt Cignetti Begins Week With Massive Praise for Buckeyes' Jeremiah Smith

Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti kicked off the week with effusive praise for Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, calling the Buckeyes’ star receiver a “freak” and acknowledging his dominance over Indiana’s secondary. Smith has elevated his game this season, outmaneuvering two of the Hoosiers’ top cornerbacks with ease, according to Cignetti, who is known for his blunt, no-nonsense assessments.

The comments come ahead of Saturday’s high-stakes rematch between the two Big Ten powerhouses, the third meeting in a best-of-three series that already includes a Buckeyes win in Ohio Stadium two years ago and a Hoosiers upset in last December’s Big Ten Championship game. Smith’s impact was evident in that title game, where he racked up 144 yards on eight catches, though he has yet to score against Indiana in their two prior matchups.

Despite the Hoosiers’ defensive efforts, Smith remains nearly unstoppable when in full stride, a fact underscored by his recent performance against Maryland, where he accounted for two explosive touchdowns on deep throws that tested the Terps’ coverage. With the rubber match looming, Indiana will need to find a way to contain Smith—no small task given his elite athleticism and route-running ability.

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