Nick Saban breaks down how he would get Jeremiah Smith involved in national championship vs. Notre Dame

Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith had a quiet night in the Buckeyes’ win over Texas in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Current ESPN analyst and former Alabama coach Nick Saban believes the Buckeyes need to get Smith involved early and often in the national championship game against Notre Dame.

Saban spoke on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday about how he would get Jeremiah Smith involved early after he had only one catch for 3 yards against the Longhorns.

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“Well, I don’t think there’s any question if you’re the offensive coordinator, and I think Chip Kelly’s one of the best play callers, but you’re going to have plays designed, especially early in the game, to get the ball in his hands,” Nick Saban said.

“Whether they’ve got to motion him over to the slot, throw him a screen pass, a slide or boot, whatever it is, to get the ball in his hands.”

Notre Dame is, of course, well aware that Ohio State wants to get Jeremiah Smith the ball. Because of that, Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard can’t force the ball when Smith is being well-covered by multiple defenders.

But Ohio State still needs to find ways to get Smith involved, no matter what defense Notre Dame is in.

“It doesn’t have to be something that’s down the field, because if it’s down the field and the defense has two guys – one short, one deep over the top – that read’s not there for him,” Saban said. “So the quarterback’s going to throw the ball some place else.

“So you can design ways for guys to get the ball, which this guy needs to get the ball, because he’s a great player. But the defense can also determine where the quarterback throws the ball by how they’re playing.”

It will be interesting to see how Notre Dame tries to slow down Jeremiah Smith and what Ohio State does to try to get him involved.

Prior to the matchup with Texas, Smith had 13 receptions for 290 yards and four touchdowns in the first two games of the CFP.

“You’ve gotta take both of those things into consideration and the quarterback can’t force it there, because your subject to turnovers and bad plays,” Saban said.