By now, you know that there’s a pretty big matchup between Ohio State and Indiana this weekend. It’s the first time the Buckeyes and Hoosiers have met with both inside the top ten, and that’s mostly because IU has been one of the biggest surprises of the college football season to date.
I went back and watched the film of the Indiana Hoosiers trying to understand how they could be undefeated when no one gave them a chance before the season. Looking back, a lot of people predicted somewhere between seven and eight wins (all before the coronavirus pandemic in a regular schedule). While many thought they were an up and coming team, there weren’t many predicting Indiana would be the team it has shown to be up to this point.
The Hoosiers have so far shocked everyone by beating Penn State, Rutgers, Michigan, and Michigan State, all while heading into the Ohio State matchup undefeated. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has been outstanding and the defense has stepped up to help lead the way towards an undefeated start. Let’s scout the Hoosiers starting with the offense.
🔥 @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
The Offense has been good, but not great…
The Hoosiers have been better than advertised on offense, but there are some concerns
Michael Penix to Ty Fryfogle is a thing of beauty🔥🔥
— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 14, 2020
Michael Penix Jr. has thrown some absolute dimes this season. Watching him make some of the throws against Michigan and Penn State were almost jaw-dropping. He stood in the pocket as pressure almost got to him and delivered passes on time and on point. Of course, everyone will remember the play against Penn State to win the game, but his throwing has been really good, for the most part.
But it’s not all chocolates and roses. When Penix is pressured and can’t get his feet set, he will make some head-scratching throws. His interception against Michigan State was ugly. He wanted to get the ball out early, which he has done well this season, but the pressure forced him to throw on the move and he lofted a ball up for grabs.
While some of his throws have been into tight windows, there are some throws where it looks like he just throws and hopes for the best. This season, the best has happened more often than not. Penix’s completion percentage is actually down this season from 68.8% to 60.7%. He has also suffered three interceptions compared to four all of last year.
That means that while Penix is getting more comfortable in pushing the ball into tight windows and letting his receivers make plays, he is also taking more chances. When he is out of rhythm and unable to set his feet he will make mistakes. Ohio State is a better team than anyone Indiana has faced and it could result in some negative plays and turnovers Saturday.
NEXT … The Hoosier defense likes to play zone
The defense begins and ends up front
Been on him since last season, but #Indiana DB Tiawan Mullen is legit. Makes the interception here, has traits to be an early round corner next year. pic.twitter.com/uBLBlY0PwE
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) November 14, 2020
When looking at the Hoosiers’ four games, the first thing people may notice are the interceptions. However, upon breaking them down, it all starts up front as Indiana relies on getting pressure to force bad throws. On the backend, it plays a lot of zone coverage keeping as much in front of it as possible.
Most of the zone coverage is either single-high safety or Cover-2. This allows the corners to play off their man and drop into their assignments looking for the ball coming out due to the pressure up front. If a team can block the pressure the defensive backs struggle in coverage the longer the play goes on. As with any team.
The Hoosiers have given up a lot of 20+ yard plays, and when asked to play man coverage they struggle to press their man and stay on the hip of the receiver. Also, since they play a lot of Cover-2, the seams tend to be open and if the pressure is held up, those open up quickly. If Justin Fields has time, he’s going to put the ball in the right spot.
Indiana has been a really good team, but scouting them ahead of the Ohio State game has shown some things the Buckeyes can capitalize on. Ohio State will clearly be the best team Indiana has faced, but that doesn’t mean the Hoosiers should be overlooked. Get to Penix and work the seams, and the Buckeyes should walk out with a victory.
