It sure wasn’t pretty in a lot of areas, but neither is the year of 2020. At the end of the day, when several teams have been unexpectedly beaten in the strangest of years, a win is a win, is a win.
We wrote about it prior to the game, but we never felt like Indiana wasn’t going to be a challenge, we just didn’t see the offensive onslaught and mistake-prone play by Ohio State that kept it closer than it should have been.
There are plenty of things to work on, and you’d much rather learn lessons after a win than after defeat because everything is still out there for the Buckeyes’ loftiest of goals.
As is customary, here are five things we learned after this one.
NEXT … So, what about that secondary guys?
Ohio State’s secondary has a long way to go
There is a problem in the secondary for Ohio State and it has to be corrected before Trevor Lawrence is the quarterback on the other team.
— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) November 21, 2020
We knew the guys on the back end of the defense were young for Ohio State. We knew the Buckeyes lost a slew of talent to the NFL with guys like Jeff Okudah, Damon Arnette, and Jordan Fuller heading off to NFL riches. However, this rebuilt secondary was exposed today.
Shaun Wade just hasn’t blossomed into the No. 1 corner we thought he’d be, and the rest of the youth is still be served and developed. Indiana literally had nothing going on the ground but found a way to get five touchdowns and almost 500 yards of offense by cashing in Air miles.
The play has to get better with the four in the back-end because the template has been set.
NEXT … Hello running backs
Ohio State got yards it needed from its backs
FEED MASTER TEAGUE 😈🍽 pic.twitter.com/seBS2IL4Bm
— Barstool OSU (@BarstoolOSU) November 21, 2020
We’ve been very critical of Ohio State’s inability to get yards on the ground from the traditional running back spot. Whether it’s been Master Teague or Trey Sermon, there just hasn’t been enough explosive plays from the tailback spot.
That changed a little today, especially when Teague was in the game. Sermon also picked a key first down late in the game, but Teague finished with 169 yards and two touchdowns today to give Ohio State an added dimension when the passing game wasn’t working like it normally does.
OSU loses this game without the dynamics out of the running back spot today.
NEXT … Michael Penix, Jr is — good
Give credit to Michael Penix, Jr.
Indiana’s Michael Penix Jr. is the first opposing QB to throw for at least 400 yards against Ohio State at Ohio Stadium since Purdue’s Jim Everett (497) in 1985.
— Jason Starrett (@starrettjason) November 21, 2020
I knew Indiana quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was going to have to play the game of his life for the Hoosiers to pull off the shocker. He did that today and almost brought his team all the way back from a big first-half deficit.
Anytime a guy throws for almost 500 yards, it’s worth noting. Penix did that by standing tall in the pocket and putting some pretty good throws on point in the face of adversity. His wide-receivers also made plays after the catch, but it sure looked like the Indiana quarterback was the Heisman candidate instead of the one wearing Scarlet and Gray.
Tip the cap.
NEXT … Justin Fields Heisman chances
Fields Heisman chances took a hit today
Justin Fields at the postgame podium: “I didn't play well at all … of course I made bad decisions, I had three picks, but we got the dub, and at the end of the day, that's all that matters.” pic.twitter.com/ihwGSj4drw
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) November 21, 2020
After not playing last week because of Maryland’s coronavirus breakout, Justin Fields needed a big game on national television against a top ten opponent to take control of the Heisman race.
It didn’t happen. Sure, he threw for 300 yards, but the three interceptions and questionable decision making will do absolutely nothing to bring Fields to the front of the line. He was already losing a little bit of steam because of the surge by Florida quarterback Kyle Trask, and now, he may drop even further.
There’s still room to make it up, but with not too many games available in a shortened season, this one hurts when it comes to his individual work in the Heisman campaign.
NEXT … The offensive line’s development
The offensive line needs to work on blitz pickups
This is the Indiana defense. Blitz up front and force mistakes. You have to figure this out. #IUvsOSU
— Buckeyes Wire (@BuckeyesWire) November 21, 2020
I’m a little surprised the Indiana defense befuddled and bedazzled the Ohio State pass protection today. The Buckeye coaching staff knew what was coming, and there was even a little extra time to prepare because of the unexpected week off.
Still, the Hoosiers disguised coverages and brought blitzers from all over the field. And Ohio State looked confused and outmatched at times.
That’s likely the reason Ryan Day went more with the run and further away from the passing game as the sands of the hourglass sifted on through. Fields just wasn’t getting the time he needed in the pocket and you could tell he was feeling that clock speed up in his head. Ohio State will get back to the drawing board on this one because much like the secondary getting exposed, the template on how to get after the OSU quarterback might also be out there for film study now.
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