Records
Ohio State (2-0), Indiana (2-0)
Broadcast, TV, Game Time
Date: Saturday, September 14
Game Time: Noon ET
Network: FOX
Venue: Indiana University Memorial Stadium – Capacity – 52,929
All-Time Series: Ohio State leads 74-12-5
Last Meeting: Ohio State defeated Indiana 49-26 in 2018
Ohio State will open up Big Ten play this week when they travel to Bloomington to face the Indiana Hoosiers.
Indiana is flying high right now, coming into conference play at 2-0, albeit the competition wasn’t all that stellar. A ten point win over MAC opponent Ball State and a 52-0 drubbing of FCS Eastern Illinois is hardly stiff competition.
IU has some players at the skill positions that can make some noise. The Buckeyes will need to stay focused week to week and take care of business one game at a time. This is the next step in a process.
Next … The game plan
Ohio State game plan for victory
It was nice to see The Buckeye offense and defense seemingly in sync with each other. Many times over the past couple seasons, one side of the ball would play well, only to see the other side stall. That was not the case Saturday against Cincinnati.
Many, myself included, felt that the Bearcats would give OSU a tougher challenge after beating up UCLA the week before and returning 14 starters from a team that went 11-2 the year before. But Ohio State functioned like a well-oiled machine on both sides of the ball and rolled UC, barely breaking a sweat.
Indiana awaits with the first road test of the young season. Going on the road can always be a little tricky, especially for a young quarterback. This will be a good gauge for Justin Fields being in unfriendly confines before the big one comes in Lincoln in just two weeks.
Ohio State did an outstanding job getting the running game going this past week and set up the pass beautifully. JK Dobbins will need to continue patience and finding the holes to wear down the Hoosier front. Master Teague III looked like a nice change of pace to spell Dobbins from time to time. He doesn’t have the same elusiveness as Dobbins, but Teague looks for contact and seems to enjoy delivering a blow to opposing defenders.
Again, Justin Fields will be difficult to plan for. So far, he has been pinpoint in accuracy and last week looked poised and mature beyond his years. He didn’t try to force matters and would simply throw it in the stands if a play didn’t pan out.
The defense was flying all over the field, making play after play. It’ll need to do the same in Bloomington. IU quarterback Michael Penix Jr. can throw it or tuck it and run, as evidence in week one when he threw for over 300 yards and rushed for another 67. Running back Stevie Scott is also a load to take down. He’s yet to get going this year, but he has big play potential.
As long as the Buckeyes stay disciplined in their assignments and everyone does their job, they should have no problem keeping the Hoosiers in check.
Next … The key players for Ohio State
Two Key Players For Ohio State
Garrett Wilson, Wide Receiver. Garrett Wilson made his first catch in Scarlet and Gray this past week and it was a beauty, going high in the corner of the end zone for a TD. The true freshman is still getting acclimated to the speed of the collegiate game, but he isn’t far off. Once the switch flips, he is going to be a threat on every down. I’m looking to see him get more involved each week, especially in the red zone.
Shaun Wade, Cornerback. Shaun Wade didn’t show up in the box score much with only one tackle against Cincinnati, but he was everywhere doing the little things that needed be be done to help his team win. Twice, Wade perfectly timed hits to separate the ball from receivers, one of which led to an interception and another that easily could have been. Those type of plays don’t always get your name in the paper, but the coaches most assuredly recognize it in the film room.
Next … How it’ll all do down
The prediction
When the Buckeyes are clicking on all cylinders, it’s a fun thing to watch. I expect Ohio State to continue steaming right along against IU on Saturday.
The game plan will again be to get the running game going and then let Fields open it up to pick apart the Hoosier secondary. I look for JK Dobbins to have another big game with 100 plus yards.
The defense will face more of a challenge with more skill on the field than the first two contests. But I don’t see this one being much of a threat for the Silver Bullets.
Ohio State scores early and often and the D stifles a somewhat underwhelming opponent. It’ll be playing to a half-empty stadium as most of the Indiana fans will head for the exits shortly after half-time.
Final Score
Ohio State 48, Indiana 20
Line
Ohio State -14
