Nick Saban Names No. 1 Mismatch in College Football

The ESPN "College GameDay" crew was in Eugene, Oregon, in Week 7, previewing a Top 5 matchup between the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes and No. 3 Oregon Ducks.

Just after "College GameDay" host Rece Davis and the crew introduced the show, Nick Saban and Kirk Herbstreit broke down the Buckeyes' offense, giving fans their perspective on some of the top players at OSU.

Saban and Herbstreit were focused on the Ohio State wide receiver room when detailing the team's strengths. They believe receivers like Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka will open up the Buckeyes' offense against the Ducks when the two teams meet at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Smith has cemented himself as one of the best receivers in the country early this season. The true freshman out of South Florida has already posted six touchdowns on 23 receptions and 453 yards, five games into his collegiate career.

Given his versatility, being able to compete for 50-50 balls at 6-foot-3 and swing by his defender with top-level speed, Saban believes Smith is the No. 1 mismatch player in college football.

“Probably the No. 1 mismatch player I’ve seen in college football this year," Saban said. "This guy's balance and body control to make unbelievable one-handed catches is just outstanding."

Smith's been playing alongside Egbuka, another ultra-talented receiver, who has recorded five touchdowns on 30 receptions and 433 yards.

The two may very well be the No. 1 receiving duo in college football.

Heading into his freshman season at Ohio State, Smith had high expectations as the No. 1 overall recruit in the class of 2024, per 247Sports.

As a senior in high school, he was listed at 6 foot-3, 215 pounds, and he received comparisons to NFL legend and former Alabama Crimson Tide receiver Julio Jones.

Smith has certainly lived up to the hype and may have even exceeded expectations early into his freshman season with the Buckeyes.

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