Numbers That Matter When Indiana Heads to Face Ohio State

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The Indiana Hoosiers head to Columbus, Ohio this week to take on the number two team in the nation, the Ohio State Buckeyes. IU has not beaten OSU since 1988 and has not triumphed in Columbus since ’87.  So here are some numbers that might determine which team will come out with a win on Saturday.

Ohio State is Putting Up Numbers Worthy of an NCAA Football Video Game

The Buckeyes have scored 229 points through the first four games this season, the most ever through the team’s first four games. They are averaging a video game-like 57 points per game. Indiana is giving up just 21.8 points per game, so something will have to give.

Defensively the Buckeyes’ numbers are just as staggering as they have allowed a microscopic 9.2 points per game along with just 237.8 yards per game. This is about as complete of a team there is in the nation.

This Game May Come Down to Red Zone Efficiency

There is a reason why the Buckeyes have scored 229 points in four games, and that is they rarely waste scoring opportunities. OSU has come away with points 21 times on 23 trips to the red zone. That’s an incredible clip of 91 percent. The two failed red zone attempts came at the end of the first half against Oklahoma and when they turned the ball over on downs against Rutgers…that’s it. Meanwhile the Hoosiers have come away with points on just nine of their 14 red zone trips with only six touchdowns.

Indiana Has Not Knocked Off Back-to-Back Ranked Teams Since…1987

The Hoosiers have never beaten ranked teams in back-to-back weeks, but in 1987 the Hoosiers beat No. 9 Ohio State in Columbus before beating an unranked Minnesota squad the next week. Following the win over the Gophers the Hoosiers toppled No. 20 Wolverines.

Ohio State’s Secondary Are Ball Hawks

The Buckeyes have nine interceptions as a team, eight of them from players in the defensive backfield. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore and safety Malik Hooker each have three picks and each returning one for six points. Indiana quarterback Richard Lagow will have to be careful trying to fit the ball into tight windows and his receivers must out work the OSU defenders for the ball.

Other Numbers To Know

1. 61-4, Ohio State is outscoring opponents 61-4 in home games this season

2. 5, Touchdowns needed for OSU quarterback J.T. Barrett to break the school record

3. 1, Forced fumbles needed by Hoosier linebacker Marcus Oliver to take sole possession of the record for forced fumbles at IU in a career. Griffin Oakes also needs one point to tie James Hardy for 10th on the Hoosiers all-time scoring list with 216.

4. 3, votes IU received in both the AP and Coaches Polls this week after being then-number 17 Michigan State