It’s time for a bit of a rematch between Ohio State and Indiana that went sour on both ends last year. The Buckeyes walked away with the victory in 2020 but had to hang on because of a furious second-half rally by the Hoosiers.
It was the only loss last year for the Hoosiers, and it looked like they would get the nod to go into the Big Ten championship game because of a game minimum set by the league not being met by OSU. Then, the Big Ten changed the minimum to allow an undefeated Ohio State team that beat Indiana into the title game.
Still, it wasn’t a great showing by the Buckeyes and they’ll no doubt be looking to show better on the road. For Indiana, it would like to get back at OSU for the close loss.
It all goes down at 7:30 p.m. EDT on ABC, and there are some reasons to believe that Indiana could make this a game. Here are three reasons the Hoosiers could give Ohio State some issues Saturday night.
NEXT … Confidence can’t be measured
Indiana’s confidence will be high from last year’s meeting
How do the experts expect the #Buckeyes to play against Indiana https://t.co/1NJfBvFEmG
— Buckeyes Wire (@BuckeyesWire) October 23, 2021
Most of the team that gave Ohio State some fits is back for Indiana, things just haven’t gone as well in 2021. Part of it has been the injuries and inconsistency at the quarterback position, but the skill and experience are still on par with what we saw last season.
You can’t measure confidence but it goes into almost every sport that’s played. There’s something to be said for Indiana understanding that it can play with Ohio State and go toe-to-toe, especially with all the changes and new faces within the Buckeye team this season.
NEXT … Nothing to lose, something to prove
Indiana is going to go for it
The official trailer for the Indiana game! https://t.co/w0dKRZ36No
— Buckeyes Wire (@BuckeyesWire) October 22, 2021
Look for the Hoosiers to play fast in loose in this one because their backs are against the wall. Lose this game and it’s going to be awfully tough to get to the postseason. With a year that hasn’t been up to expectations, you can bet the team will be locked in for this one, looking to make a statement and keep some of those goals alive.
I expect Indiana to play its best game of the year and have some flashes of what we saw in 2020. The question is if the Hoosiers can keep it up for an entire game. That’s been the problem so far this year against the likes of Cincinnati and Michigan State.
NEXT … The personnel
The skill is there
🔴 𝕂𝕟𝕠𝕨 𝕋𝕙𝕪 𝕆𝕡𝕡𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕟𝕥
Ty Fryfogle is the 11th Hoosier to reach 2,000 receiving yards. He's 10th in yardage, eighth in receptions, and T-10th in TDs.https://t.co/j22LIL1LRG | #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/fw9OvWeatT— Ohio State Buckeyes 🌰 (@OhioStAthletics) October 22, 2021
To be fair, Indiana has been a bit snakebitten this year. The Hoosiers played it close for a majority of the game against Cincinnati, and almost pulled things off against another undefeated team, Michigan State, last week.
Whether it’s been bad bounces, a lack of execution at critical moments, or simply an outstanding play here or there by the opposition, the Hoosiers just haven’t been able to use the returning skill they have to pull out games that have been there for the win.
That’s not always the case from week to week, and at some point, Indiana is going to put it all together. Is this the week?
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