Matchup to Watch: Indiana's Wide Receivers vs. Ohio State's Secondary

Written By Alex Compton

After a big win for Indiana over a ranked Michigan State team on Saturday, IU now faces its toughest test of the season this coming weekend when they head to Columbus. The Buckeyes are currently the second best team in the AP and Coaches Polls, but advanced stats would tell you they are a hair ahead of Alabama for the top spot in the country. Indiana will have to be nearly perfect to pull out a win, but one matchup in particular will be fun to watch throughout the course of the game. 

Indiana’s Receivers vs. Ohio State’s Defensive Backs

So far this season, Richard Lagow has generally performed better than most of us thought he would up until this point. With the playbook finally beginning to open up, the passing offense is humming once again, and should finish in the top three of the conference again this season. A big reason why Lagow has been able to step right in and perform has been the ability of a deep and talented receiving corps to make plays for the new QB. Even with the injury to Simmie Cobbs, Mitchell Paige, Ricky Jones, and Nick Westbrook have been able to step up and really make some plays for Lagow. If IU has any chance of winning on Saturday, those three need to keep up the solid play and get some help from the other guys behind them. 

Ohio State is loaded with talent. The high scores often show you how one-sided the games are, but the defense is actually rated higher in the S&P+ advanced statistics ranking system. Their run defense is exceptional, ranking 7th in the nation, yet their passing defense is still one spot better at #6. If IU struggles to run the ball again without Dimitric Camiel and or Dan Feeney, picking up yards through the air will be the only recipe for success. In order to move the ball against this defense with the pass, it will be on the receivers to run quick, crisp routes and to make the most of their opportunities. The amount of speed and playmaking ability on the backend of the OSU defense is remarkable, so any big play opportunities will have to be cashed in on. Any bad throws will have a much higher chance of becoming turnovers this weekend, so the receivers will have to be on the same page as Lagow. 

Damon Webb, Malik Hooker, Gareon Conley, and Denzel Ward are the headliners here, but they can rotate in 5 or 6 more guys and still feel comfortable with the unit. Through 4 games, the Buckeye defense is only allowing 9.2 points per contest, and a mere 140.2 yards per game through the air. Opponents’ quarterbacks are completing just 45% of their throws while being picked off 9 times. With the speed the DB’s have, most defensive looks will feature man-to-man coverage on the outside with only a single safety to help. Malik Hooker generally plays centerfield for the Buckeyes, while the other safety in the game is free to step up in the box and make some plays. IU will likely try to ease Lagow into the hostile environment, and then let him make some deep throws to stretch out the defense. They are too fast for the swing passes and bubble screens to work effectively, so Lagow will have to prove he can stretch them out vertically in order to move the ball effectively. For this to work however, the receivers will have to be able to create some separation to get open. Lagow won’t be able to have as many wide open throws in this contest, so every little move the WR’s make will have to be worthwhile.

It won’t be impossible to move the ball against Ohio State. IU proved that last year, and Kevin Wilson has always seemed to have a good read on what Urban Meyer is trying to do. If IU wants a shot at a win however, the wide receivers will have to make some big plays against a very stingy secondary. Chances will be few and far between, but will need to be capitalized upon when they present themselves. 

Other Notes On This Matchup:

Indiana has the 8th best passing ranking, according to the S&P+ index. Something will have to give in this game. 

Indiana’s offensive line has the best pass-blocking efficiency in the Big Ten, even with Camiel and Feeney missing time. Lagow has only been pressured on 21.2% of his dropbacks. (via: @PFF_college on Twitter). This will be another important thing to watch on Saturday. 21 should have time to throw, but the receivers will have to make some plays for him.

Lagow's 2016 Stats (Four Games):

79/127 1,278 yards, 10 touchdowns, 6 interceptions. 

Averages of:

10.06 yards per pass

16.17 yards per completion

319.5 yards per game