Know Your Opponent: Opening Night (Ohio State Buckeyes)

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Head Coach: Urban Meyer (4th Year)

Overall: 165-29 (.374) 16th year

At Ohio State 61-6 (39-2)

Bowl Appearances: 4 (2 Playoff Appearances)

Last Years Record: 11-2 (8-1)

Bowl Appearances Since 2000: 15 Appearances, 2 Playoff Appearances (9-8 Record)

Mascot: Brutus Buckeye

Colors: Scarlet and Gray

Outfitter: Nike

National Titles: 8

Conference Titles: 37

Heisman Winners: 7

Talking Points

1. Can J.T. Barrett and Kevin Wilson Breathe Life in the Offense?

The Buckeyes’ offense finished with a loud thud last year that was capped off by them being shut out 31-0 to the eventual national champions in the Fiesta Bowl. Ohio State played Michigan State and Michigan to close out the 2016 regular season and despite winning both of the games they saw their offensive production dwindle. The Buckeyes averaged 45.6 points per game over the first 10 games of the season then that dipped to just 15.7 points per game over the final three.

Much of the inconsistency on offense for the Buckeyes was because J.T. Barrett struggled mightily throwing the deep ball last year and it allowed defenses to just key on short passes and runs. These struggles prompted a coordinator change as Urban Meyer picked up Kevin Wilson shortly after he resigned at Indiana.

The hope is that Wilson can fix OSU’s vertical passing game and make J.T. Barrett into the quarterback we saw before he was injured at the end of 2014. Barrett ended the 2016 season completing 61.5 percent of his passes but only averaged 6.1 yards per completion.

If the Buckeyes are going to compete for a national title those numbers have to improve or teams are just going to key on running back Mike Weber, who has been limited during fall camp with a hamstring injury, and the quarterback runs. With a group of talented, but unproven receivers Indiana may have a hand up on the Buckeyes’ aerial attack.

Ohio State was dealt a blow last week as backup quarterback Joe Burrow broke a bone in his throwing hand and will leave the Buckeyes’ without an experienced backup if Barrett struggles or gets knocked out of the game.

2. Can the Hoosiers Keep the OSU Defensive Line From Creating Too Much Havoc?

The Buckeyes have one of, if not, the best defensive fronts in the nation while the young IU offensive line is just beginning to gel together. This will be the toughest test the Indiana line will face and if the Hoosier line can’t keep Lagow upright and open a few holes in the running game, it’ll be a long night in Bloomington.

The Buckeyes return 10 defensive linemen who recorded at least one tackle for loss, however Michael Hill who played in all 13 games and contributed 3 TFL’s is unavailable for the Buckeyes. The Buckeye line is led by seniors Tyquon Lewis (10.5 TFLs) and Jaylin Holmes (8.5 TFLs). Add in Sam Hubbard, Nick Bosa and Robert Landers and this OSU line could spell trouble for IU all night.

If IU can stop this defensive line, the Buckeyes have linebackers Jerome Baker and Chris Worley to clean up whatever is left. 

3. What will an Inexperienced Secondary Look Like Against of the Best Receiving Groups in the Nation?

The Buckeyes put three defensive backs into the NFL this past off-season and their 2017 secondary has some talented pieces to replace those guys with, but how will their inexperience impact the match-up with IU’s receivers.

The Hoosiers have one of the best receiving groups in the country and can create mismatches all over the field against the Buckeyes. Any type of miscommunication problem or hesitation and the Hoosier offense will take advantage of their windows.

The defensive backfield is headed by two senior safeties, Erick Smith and Damon Webb. Smith appeared in 12 games in 2017 pitching in 16 tackles and a pass break up. Webb played in all 13 games and posted 57 tackles and an interception. On the edges Ohio State will most likely go with junior Denzel Ward and redshirt sophomore Damon Arnette. Ward played in 12 games and made 23 tackles, so he does have some game experience. Damon Arnette also got his feet wet last year appearing in 13 games and making 21 tackles. The big question is can these players take what they did in reserve roles a year ago and turn it into great performances in week one?

4. Is Mike Weber 100% and Can Demario McCall Spell Weber if He is Not Able to Go?

All fall camp Mike Weber was limited with a hamstring injury and although all the signs point to him playing hamstring injuries can be tricky. Weber ran for 1,096 yards and nine touchdowns as a freshman a year ago, but didn’t show the breakaway speed that OSU runners in the past have had.

Backing up Weber is Demario McCall who saw action in six games last year running for 270 yards and three touchdowns. McCall is a good back, but is he ready to handle a full load of carries should it be needed in the opener.

I fully expect Weber to be 100 percent and be one of the top running backs in the Big Ten, but Ohio State doesn't have much of any know quantities beyond McCall so health could play a role in how well the Ohio State running game fares against Tegray Scales and company.

5. Ohio State Doesn't Have a Go-To Receiver...Yet 

The Buckeyes lost many of their playmakers on the outside from a year ago, including do everything H-back Curtis Samuel. Ohio State will have to replace their top three pass catchers (Samuel, Noah Brown and Dontre Wilson) from last year's 11-2 team in 2017. Although Ohio State has some talent, their leading returning receiver is tight end Marcus Baugh (24 catches 269 yards 2 TDs). Baugh, K.J. Hill (18 catches 262 yards), Parris Campbell (13 catches 121 yards) and Terry McLaurin (11 catches for 114 yards) could make for a nice group of four. Campbell is expected to play the role of Samuel this season while Hill and McLaurin can be the big play receivers Ohio State needs to regain their swagger on offense.

Bottom Line

The Buckeyes are a really good football team and are worthy of their number two ranking. They are not unbeatable though and have many questions that need to be answered at high leverage positions. Has the hiring of Kevin Wilson fixed whatever ailed J.T. Barrett in 2016 or will he again struggle throwing the ball. Can the right side of the offensive line be trusted or will IU have their chance to exploit a weakness and get pressure on Barrett. Finally, can the young secondary keep up with the receivers IU will roll on to the field? Only time will tell if this Ohio State team is as good as advertised though.