Well, Ohio State made it past a gritty Indiana team. While the Buckeyes looked unstoppable in short spurts against the No. 9 team in the nation, there were more head-scratching moments than we’d care to see from a team with national title aspirations.
Even though he threw for 300 yards and accounted for three touchdowns, Justin Fields probably played his worst game as a Buckeye. It seemed as if he was trying to do too much at times which led to sacks and interceptions.
This also might have been the worst game Ryan Day has called as the Ohio State head coach. Indiana sent blitz packages galore. The best way to beat a team that blitzes often? Run right at them.
When Ohio State took to the ground, they had continued success. Master Teague rushed for a career-high 169 yards and Trey Sermon added another 60. And yet, the run seemed to be abandoned at crucial times, most notably on fourth-and-1 on the Indiana five-yard line only up by a score. Don’t overthink it… hand the ball to Teague and get downhill behind one of the most experienced offensive lines in college football.
The good news is this, you learn best when you’ve been faced with a little adversity. I think it was most likely a good thing for this Buckeye team to face a challenge to see what they need to clean up as well as motivation to play better.
On to Champaign to face the Fighting Illini.
NEXT … Records and broadcast information
Record
Ohio State (4-0), Illinois (2-3)
Broadcast, TV, Game Time
Date: Saturday, Nov. 28
Game Time: Noon EST
Network: FS1
Venue: Memorial Stadium – Capacity – 60,670 (no fans permitted due to COVID-19 restrictions)
All-Time Series: Ohio State leads 68-30-4
Last Meeting: Ohio State defeated Indiana 52-14 in 2017
Next … The game plan
Ohio State game plan for victory
Ohio State finally found the ground game against a good Indiana defense. Combined, the Buckeye rushing attack tallied over 300 yards running, highlighted by Master Teague’s 41-yard gallop to the endzone. It was a sight for sore eyes and it couldn’t have come at a better time as Justin Fields had his worse game in Scarlet and Gray.
No need to panic about Fields’ off day. Everyone has one of those from time to time. Fields will learn from his less than memorable day and will be better for it in the long run. A balanced attack takes pressure off of the OSU QB and opens things up a bit.
On the defensive side of the ball, Ohio State has to get things straightened out in the secondary. Illinois doesn’t have the same caliber quarterback as the Hoosiers, but they do have a more than capable signal-caller who would like nothing more than to knock the Buckeyes down a notch. Brandon Peters is a transfer from Michigan and led the Fighting Illini to an upset victory over Nebraska this past Saturday. Even though he doesn’t wear the Maize and Blue any longer, you can be sure the hatred for Ohio State runs deep.
Upfront, Ohio State has been a little bit of a Jekyll and Hyde. Against Penn State, the Buckeyes made life difficult for Sean Clifford all night. But against Indiana, while they stuffed the run effectively, they gave Michael Penix Jr. more than enough time to pick the OSU secondary apart. Pressure is key because Penix showed us what happens when a quarterback gets too comfortable.
Next … The key players for Ohio State
Two Key Players For Ohio State
Jeremy Ruckert – Tight End: Jeremy Ruckert has become the go-to tight end when it comes to needing a short-yardage gain. We know he has a great set of hands as we all remember the one-handed catch against Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship game last year. And while he doesn’t have a ton of catches in 2020, he’s made the most of his opportunities hauling in three touchdowns on the season.
Justin Fields TD to Jeremy Ruckert. Ohio State up 42-9 pic.twitter.com/n2U6SKIVxU
— The Buckeye Nut (@TheBuckeyeNut) November 8, 2020
Pete Werner – Linebacker: Pete Werner has steadily improved in his time as a three-year starter and is now one of the unquestioned leaders on the Buckeye defense. He’s been great attacking the run and even better in pass coverage. Werner will look to be all over the field again making plays that earned him a Defensive Player of the Game honor against Indiana.
Game changer.#GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/cmmLza24RD
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) November 23, 2020
Next … How it’ll all go down
The prediction
While Illinois is riding a two-game winning streak, it hasn’t played the likes of Ohio State in 2020. The fun is going to come to a screeching halt Saturday at noon for the Fighting Illini.
The Buckeyes are going to be tired of hearing how maybe they aren’t as good as everyone thought they were. How maybe two SEC teams or even (gasp) two ACC teams might get in the College Football Playoff over an undefeated Big Ten Champ.
Yeah, they know what folks are saying and the Buckeyes are going to take it out on poor Illinois. It’s nothing personal, just business. Ohio State rolls to an easy victory.
Final Score
Ohio State 54, Illinois 17
Line
Ohio State – 28 (Odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook.)
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