After an unexpected week off, we get to see Justin Fields and Ohio State back in action this weekend against a somewhat surprising top-ten matchup against the Indiana Hoosiers. Believe it or not, it’s a tussle to determine first place in the Big Ten East, with the winner having the serious inside track to Indianapolis in a very shortened season.
Indiana has a sensational dual-threat quarterback in Michael Penix, Jr., and a defense that’s been one of the best so far in the Big Ten. In other words, this isn’t your father or grandfather’s Indiana team. Head coach Tom Allen has quietly assembled an upgrade in talent in Bloomington.
But Ohio State is still Ohio State, and it’s a prohibitive favorite in this one. Here are five reasons we believe the Buckeyes will beat back the upstart Hoosiers and remain undefeated.
NEXT … Depth
Ohio State’s depth will matter
Ohio State vs. Indiana 2020 Football Preview And Prediction https://t.co/tBU64UFRQI
— Buckeyes Wire (@BuckeyesWire) November 16, 2020
When this one starts, it’ll be Indiana’s best 22 players against OSU’s best 22 players for most of the game. But that’ll change quickly. Ohio State rotates multiple players in at multiple positions on both sides of the ball. And while Indiana’s top-line players can make life difficult, the depth isn’t there like what’s on the Ohio State sideline.
The Buckeyes have stockpiled several recruiting classes that have talented players coming off the bench to give the starters a rest. Look for OSU to push the pace, try to establish the run to wear on the IU defensive line, and wear out an Indiana team that lacks the talent throughout the roster Ohio State has.
NEXT … Indiana’s passing game
IU QB Michael Penix’s risk-reward
Michael Penix to Ty Fryfogle is a thing of beauty🔥🔥
— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 14, 2020
For as great as Indiana quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. has been in offering dual-threat ability, his passing prowess isn’t as explosive as it looks on the surface. Sure, he’s made some huge throws resulting in explosive plays to his wide receiving corps, but he’s only completing just over 60 percent of his passes and averaging just 7.1 yards per completion.
Penix hasn’t been horrible at throwing picks, but he doesn’t have the accuracy of a quarterback that’s going to sling the ball all over the field and make the secondary pay. Because of that, if OSU can contain Penix on the ground, there’s a good chance this Ohio State defense can slow down the Indiana attack.
NEXT … Speed kills
Ohio State’s team speed
Justin Fields ➡️ Chris Olave@OhioStateFB gets the first touchdown of the day! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/f4oR81ZNGC
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 26, 2019
Indiana’s skill position players have had the advantage over a lot of teams this year in the foot speed department. Head coach Tom Allen’s contacts and recruiting prowess in Florida has allowed the program to get some of that talent up in Indiana, and it shows.
However, Ohio State is the unofficial champion of foot speed in the Big Ten. The linebackers can run sideline to sideline, the defensive backs have great closing speed, and the skill position players on offense are as dynamic as you’ll find anywhere.
OSU will erase that advantage in this one and limit the big play potential of Indiana’s offense. On the other side of the ball, the receivers will get separation and give Fields some wide windows to throw the ball into.
NEXT … Yeah, so about Justin Fields
When all else fails, Ohio State has Justin Fields
2020 stats for Justin Fields 😳
Incompletions: 11
Touchdowns: 13 #Heisman pic.twitter.com/8NrNAS9dyz— Barstool OSU (@BarstoolOSU) November 13, 2020
Sometimes when you just have the guy, he can pull things out of the fire for you. We hate to mention this almost every time (well, not really), but almost every time there’s a football game involving Justin Fields he’s going to be the best player on the field.
You can rest assured that if this game is tight at the end, Ohio State has the one player that can pull victory from the clenched jaws of Hoosier defeat. When things break down, or the offense is sputtering, put it in Fields’ hands and let it all hang out.
NEXT … Stagefright
Indiana isn’t quite ready for the spotlight
🔥 @IndianaFootball is 4-0 in the Big Ten for the first time since 1987! pic.twitter.com/hLUWD6CFOU
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 14, 2020
Look, this is just an opinion, but you have to get to the point where you believe you’re the top dog before you are the top dog. Ohio State has been the flag-bearer of the Big Ten for years now, and Indiana has done anything but.
Not taking anything away from the Hoosiers, but beating a downtrodden Michigan, Penn State, and Michigan State team is one thing. Going toe-to-toe with the beast of the conference is another.
Indiana might get there at some point, but not yet. Not with the talent and confidence of this Buckeye squad. The Hoosiers will play hard and be competitive, but the culture isn’t quite where it needs to be yet to make the ultimate statement.
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