Know Your Opponent: No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes

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Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

 Head Coach: Ryan Day 1st Full Year at OSU (Acted as Head Coach while Urban Meyer was suspended three games last season

Overall: 5-0 (1.000) 1st year

At OSU 5-0 (1-0)

Bowl Appearances at OSU: 0

2019 Record: 2-0 Last Game: Beat Cincinnati 42-0

Bowl Appearances Since 2000: 18 (1 CFP appearance)

Mascot: Brutus Buckeye

Colors: Scarlet and Gray

Outfitter: Nike

National Titles: 8 (Last in 2014)

Conference Titles: 39

Talking Points

1. New Coach, Same Ohio State-

Many people had put an expiration date on Ohio State’s run of dominance when Urban Meyer left the Buckeyes. We’ll they still look pretty darn good under new head coach Ryan Day. Under Day, Ohio State is 5-0 (counting the three games he filled in for Meyer) and is coming off a 42-0 beatdown of Cincinnati. The Buckeyes come to Bloomington sixth in the nation and have not skipped a beat.

2. Justin Fields is looking pretty good, so far-

When Dwayne Haskins left early for the NFL and Tate Martell transferred to Miami, it was clear that Justin Field HAD to be the guy for the Buckeyes. After a rocky spring game and a lack of repetitions as the main quarterback at Georgia, questions were mounting. Well, Fields has answered them just fine with his play on the field. Through two games, Fields completing 76-percent of his passes (38-50) for 458 yards, six touchdowns and zero interceptions. That’s big-time efficiency. Fields has also added 103 yards and three more touchdowns on 21 carries.

3. The Silver Bullet Defense is Coming-

Last season the Ohio State defense was the reason they did not get into the College Football Playoff. This season, it looks like the Silver Bullet defense is back to their old ways. Led by junior defensive lineman Chase Young, who has eight total tackles and three sacks, the Buckeyes have yielded just 10.5 points and just 250.5 yards per game. The Buckeyes are also third in the Big Ten with nine sacks. They have taken the ball away three times in two games.

4. Ohio State Can Run the Ball as Well as Throw it-

The Buckeyes are only 6th in the Big Ten in total offense, gaining 488.5 yards per game, but are second in the conference in rushing, averaging 253 yards per contest. The rushing attack is spearheaded by junior J.K. Dobbins who has 138 yards so far this season and has chewed up the Hoosiers in the past.

Ohio State’s aerial attack ranks eighth in the Big Ten. Fields has been tremendous and the Buckeyes have three players with at least seven catches (K.J. Hill 11, Chris Olave 7, Binjimen Victor 7). Victor and Olave are Ohio State’s best deep threats and have the speed to leave Hoosier defenders in the dust should they get into space.