Know Your Opponent: No. 3/4 Ohio State Buckeyes Visit IU to Open the Season
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Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
Head Coach: Ryan Day
Overall: Fifth Season, 45-6 (31-2)
Bowl Appearances at Ohio State: Four
2022 Record: 11-2 (8-1)
Mascot: Brutus Buckeye
Colors: Scarlet and Grey
Outfitter: Nike
National Titles: Eight
Conference Titles: 39 Big Ten titles
Heisman Winners: 7
Last Week: N/A
Returning Statistical Leaders
Passing: Kyle McCord – 16-20 for 190 yards with one touchdown
Rushing: Miyan Williams – 825 yards on 6.45 yards per carry with 14 touchdowns
Receiving: Marvin Harrison Jr. – 77 catches for 1263 yards with 14 touchdowns
Tackles: Tommy Eichenberg – 120 tackles with 77 solo
Stat of the Week: The Ohio State Buckeyes have decimated the Indiana Hoosiers in the past few decades. Ohio State has knocked off IU 27-straight times with the Hoosiers last win coming in 1988. Ryan Day’s first season in charge at Ohio State was 2019 and he has squared off with Tom Allen on four occasions. The 2020 contest was a seven-point game but the other three were blowouts. In total, Ohio State has beaten Indiana by an average score of 51-17.
Buckeyes Talking Points
1. Offensive Questions
Under Ryan Day, the Ohio State Buckeyes have had absolutely no trouble scoring in bunches. The most likely outcome for the 2023 version of the Ohio State offense is that there will be a few bumps in the road but they will ultimately end up averaging north of 40 points per game once again and be one of the nation’s elite attacks. However, they do enter the season opener against Indiana with some questions to answer. The offensive line has uncertainty at offensive tackle after both of the 2022 starting tackles were selected in the NFL Draft. C.J. Stroud is now the quarterback for the Houston Texans and the Buckeyes are not saying who will replace him as QB1: Kyle McCord or Devin Brown. Maybe there’s a chance the Hoosiers can take advantage of the offensive changes early in this game, before the Buckeyes get their footing.
2. Plenty of Weapons
While there are questions about the offensive line and the quarterback, there are no concerns at all about the skill players in Columbus. The headliners are star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., an absurdly talented wide receiver and probably the best wideout in the country, along with running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams. Henderson was limited by injuries in 2022 but he is healthy now. His absence opened the door for the bruising Mayan Williams to step and average 6.45 yards per carry with 14 touchdowns. Beyond those three, Ohio State has Emeka Egbuka, a potential first round pick himself, and Cade Stover at tight end along with more five-star recruits just waiting for a chance. The Hoosiers will have their hands full no matter who is playing at quarterback. Can IU’s rebuilt defense show any resistance to this star-studded cast in Scarlet and Gray?
3. Year Two For Jim Knowles
It would be unfair to classify the first year under defensive coordinator Jim Knowles as a failure. Ohio State was not bad at all on defense. It would be accurate though to say that 2022 was underwhelming for Knowles’ side of the ball, particularly how they performed in the annual showdown against Michigan. In total, OSU allowed 21 points per game and 5.18 yards per play. That was a slight improvement over the 2021 season but Buckeye fans will be expecting a step forward in 2023. Ohio State returns star defensive end JT Tuimoloau along with Michael Hall Jr. and Jack Sawyer up front. The linebackers are terrific with Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers back. The biggest question is probably at cornerback.
Indiana’s offense is full of unknowns. It is unclear who will start and play at quarterback, how the Hoosiers will utilize Jaylin Lucas and how IU’s offensive line will look under new position coach Bob Bostad. Ohio State will undoubtedly be looking to make a statement on national television in the opener after ending the 2022 season with back-to-back losses and poor defensive showings against Michigan and Georgia. Can IU’s new offense make a dent against the Buckeyes defense?