Keys to a Historic Indiana Win Over Ohio State on Thursday Night

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Tom Allen is correct when he says his team doesn’t have to feel the pressure of playing a perfect game. IU does need to be good or great in all three phases and execute the five keys listed below to become the talk of college football on Thursday night.

1. Keep Richard Lagow Clean

One of the most important match-ups heading into Thursday night will be Indiana’s new look offensive line against Ohio State’s front seven. The Buckeyes have one of the best front sevens in the nation and will be gunning for quarterback Richard Lagow. In order for any offense to work the quarterback has to have at least a little time in the pocket to read the defense and go through his progressions.

Indiana quarterback Richard Lagow has a cannon arm, but has gotten himself into trouble when he’s been under duress. He threw 17 interceptions last year and many of them were because he had pressure bearing down on him. The starting five on the offensive line are very solid, the depth there could be an issue however and IU figures to keep a back in to help block some of the defenders. If the Hoosiers keep Lagow relatively upright, he should have a pretty good game.

2. Don’t Become One-Dimensional

The Hoosiers offense had a tendency to become too one-dimensional last year as they either couldn’t establish the run or abandoned the pass. If Indiana wants to beat Ohio State they cannot fall into that same lull. The Hoosiers will need to establish both ground and aerial attacks to keep the Buckeye defense honest.

The Hoosiers will have a running back-by-committee approach that will be headed by Mike Majette and could include Devonte Williams, Cole Gest, Morgan Ellison and Tyler Natee. If the Hoosiers can get 4 or more yards per carry and lean on their passing attack, IU should be able to score enough to keep pace with OSU.

3. Don’t Get Caught in the Magnitude of the Moment

Thursday in undoubtedly a huge day for Indiana Football and the athletics program as a whole. Stadium parking lots are already sold out and there are only a few hundred tickets left to be sold. ESPN’s College GameDay will be broadcasting from inside Memorial Stadium. There is a lot of fanfare and emotions to get caught up in if you’re a player or coach. The Hoosiers need to not succumb to the moment and instead use the energy in and around Memorial Stadium and channel it onto the field.

4. Play Well in All Three Phases

Tom Allen said on his radio show Monday night that his Hoosiers will not need to play a perfect game to beat Ohio State, instead IU will have to play very well in all three phases of the game.

First, as I have stated above the offensive line must keep Lagow clean and the offense cannot become one-dimensional. Ohio State is capable of scoring a lot of points and the Hoosiers cannot just rely on the defense to keep them in the game. The offense must extend drives and capitalize on every opportunity to put points on the board.

On defense, Indiana has to limit the explosion plays by the Buckeye offense. Big plays are a momentum killer and Kevin Wilson will push the tempo to the max after each big play. IU will also have to limit Ohio State in the red zone and close out any third down chances they have and get off the field.

IU can turn this game around on special teams as well. The Hoosiers will need a big play in the third phase (long return, blocked kick, takeaway, etc.). If IU can score on special teams it will take much of the pressure off of the offense and defense.

5. Win the Turnover Battle

There is no question that the Hoosiers had butterfingers in 2016 as they turned the ball over 29 times for a minus-six turnover margin. The turnover battle is one that the Hoosiers must win on Thursday night.

On offense, IU must hang on to the ball. They cannot afford to have Lagow throwing interceptions or fumbles from the running backs or receivers. Turnovers on offense are a wasted possession and usually result in either great field position for the opponent or points coming off of the board for the offense.

Tom Allen is still stressing takeaways and this defense is veteran laden and took the ball away from opponents 23 times, including twice against Ohio State. This year’s defense has plenty of playmakers including linebacker Tegray Scales, corner Rashard Fant and safeties Marcelino Ball and Jonathan Crawford who all have a nose for the ball.