Hoosiers hope to turn tide vs. OSU
Forget the past: Indiana is among the surprise teams in college football this season in large part because it has erased a history of futility against Big Ten powerhouses. .
The next traditional strongboy in Indiana’s path is Ohio State, which is 56-2-2 against the Hoosiers since 1951; IU’s only wins in the span were in 1987 and ’88, Earle Bruce’s last season at OSU and John Cooper’s first. That’s so long ago that Indiana coach Tom Allen was in high school.
Don’t forget to pass: Indiana doesn’t have the depth of talent up front to push around Ohio State and its stable of former blue- chip recruits on the defensive line and in the linebacker corps. But the Buckeyes have been prone to mistakes in their secondary, which graduated three standouts from the 2019 team into the NFL.
Thankfully for the Hoosiers, an air-it- out game plan matches their strengths. IU quarterback Michael Penix Jr. leads the Big Ten in passing yards (1,070) and is fourth in efficiency rating (136.4).
Keys for Ohio State
Trust the offense.
The Buckeyes’ offense is purring again in 2020, though mostly because of a passing game that has been largely unstoppable. Quarterback Justin Fields in three games has as many touchdowns as incomplete passes – 11 each – and his options in the attack include Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, who have combined for 42 receptions. If the running game ever gets on track, watch out.
Cause discomfort: Penix is athletic and talented, and clearly has the hot hand (he’s completed 55 of 88 passes for 662 yards and five touchdowns his past two games), but he also threw two interceptions in last week’s game against Michigan State, largely because of poor mechanics. If the Buckeyes can put some pressure on Penix with their front four – and perhaps even employ some blitzes – they may be able to force him into some game-tipping mistakes.
Prediction
Ohio State 45, Indiana 35: Since a 52-51 overtime victory over Maryland two years ago, Ohio State has won 15 consecutive Big Ten games, all by double- digit margins – a remarkable accomplishment in this age of college football parity. But such is the talent disparity between the Buckeyes and the rest of the Big Ten. Indiana clearly fears no team, however, and Tom Allen has his playing with an edge. The Hoosiers may stop one OSU streak, but leaving with a win is another matter.