Game Day Primer: Indiana vs. No. 6 Ohio State
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Game 3 Primer – Ohio State
What: Indiana (2-0) vs. Ohio State (2-0)
Where: Memorial Stadium
When: Saturday, September 14 at Noon
How to Watch: The game will be broadcast on FOX. You can also listen to the game on the IU Radio Network with the legendary Don Fischer on the call.
Series History: The Ohio State Buckeyes lead the series between these long-time Big Ten foes, 74 to 12 (with five ties). Ohio State are currently tied for their longest win streak in the series, having won 23 contests in a row. The Buckeyes won 23 in a row from 1960-1986 and have matched that by besting IU from 1991 to 2018. Two seasons ago, IU and Ohio State opened the year at Memorial Stadium and the Hoosiers led 21-20 late in the third quarter before the Buckeyes scored four unanswered touchdowns and pulled away 49-21. Last season’s game followed a similar pattern as IU was close until the Buckeyes pulled away late and won 49-26. Indiana last beat the Buckeyes in 1988 when they hammered John Cooper’s Ohio State 41-7.
What’s at Stake: There is always plenty at stake in a short 12-game season and Saturday is no exception. Indiana and Ohio State open up Big Ten play and for Ohio State, the goals are clear: win the Big Ten and make the College Football Playoff. A loss would likely eliminate them from attaining their second goal and it would severely damage their bid for the first. Indiana has been hunting for a signature victory to tangibly show the progress the program has made under Tom Allen. A win over Ohio State would certainly qualify. More importantly, it would give Indiana three victories and put them halfway towards the goal of reaching a bowl game.
What to Watch For
1. Playing a Complete Game
Indiana has been close against the giants of the Big Ten East. They have narrow losses to Michigan, close games against Penn State and competitive contests against Ohio State. One theme flows through those losses though: the Indiana Hoosiers always had one stretch of the game that let them down and ultimately cost them the game. They were unable to play a high-quality 60 minutes. Whether it was a slow start or falling apart in the fourth quarter as depth and fatigue cost the Hoosiers, there has always been an opposition run that slays IU’s chances. Tom Allen spoke about the need to play a complete 60 minutes on Saturday and he is absolutely correct. If IU lets the Buckeyes go on an extended run, the Hoosiers likely won’t be able to recover.
2. Slowing Down the Dynamic Buckeyes
Ohio State has scored at will in their first two contests and they have found a good level of balance under new head coach Ryan Day. Justin Fields has started extremely well after transferring from Georgia. He is completing 76% of his passes and has run for 4.9 yards per carry. Binjimen Victor and Chris Olave are both big-play receivers and K.J. Hill is on pace to break all of Ohio State’s career receiving marks. They appear to be more willing to simply hand the ball off and let J.K. Dobbins go to work than they were under Urban Meyer. Dobbins has 232 yards and is averaging 6.1 yards per carry through two games. IU’s defense will need to find a way to pressure Fields but they can’t lose containment and let the athletic quarterback escape the pocket and beat them with his legs. They will also need to make open field tackles and prevent five or six yard gains from turning into explosive plays.
3. Spotlight on Penix
Michael Penix Jr. was set to make his first start against a Big Ten opponent. However, he is now a “game time decision”. An injury sustained at some point during the past week, IU has been very vague with details, is going to keep us guessing as to who lines up at quarterback for the Hoosiers. If Penix is unable to go, Peyton Ramsey will get the call. The Ohio State defense is going to test the IU offense in a way that Ball State and Eastern Illinois were not capable of. Chase Young is one of the best defensive ends in the country and he’ll be a handful for IU’s offensive line. At linebacker, the Buckeyes have a veteran group that spent the offseason attempting to no longer be the perceived weak spot of the squad. The defense was outstanding against Cincinnati last Saturday, shutting out the Bearcats and strangling the offense to a halt. There will be some chances for the Indiana receivers to make plays but the attack will have to be firing on all cylinders if the Hoosiers are to hang around against the Buckeyes. Peyton Ramsey does have something to fall back on as he had a successful day against Ohio State in 2018. Indiana will be hoping Penix is healthy enough to play and be effective. If he is not, IU will turn to Ramsey and hope that the redshirt freshman can return to action soon.
Hoosier Huddle Pregame Video: