Numbers That Mattered: Indiana Hoosiers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes

Written By: Evan Alvarez

Numbers drive so much in today’s world and the sports world is no different. Now more than ever teams are hiring and building analytics teams to get every edge possible over their opponents. Over the course of the season, we’ll look into many of those numbers following the Hoosiers’ matchups each week. 

Today, we are examining the numbers behind Indiana’s recent 38-15 loss against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

30 Plays…

Represents the only combined play count number where Indiana had a higher win probability than Ohio State at a 51.4% chance to win the game (per gameonpaper.com). This occurred near the end of the 1st quarter when Indiana was able to put Ohio State into a crucial 4th and 10 situation. Ohio State ended up converting on 4th down and took the win probability metrics with them the rest of the way. But for a brief moment, Indiana was favored. Conversions are always among the biggest parts of football games and this top 5 matchup was no different.

(Own) 49 Yard Line…

Represents Ohio State’s average starting field position during Saturday’s game (per gameonpaper.com). Indiana’s average starting field position was their own 21 yard line. If that doesn’t tell you how the game went for the Hoosiers, I am not sure what else will. Offensive sputters and special teams miscues were major reasons for the Hoosiers’ loss on Saturday. When these occurred, the Buckeyes received extremely favorable field position and were able to capitalize from there.

#12…

Represents Terry Jones Jr, who was the best performing defender per Pro Football Focus (PFF) on the Hoosiers’ defense on Saturday. The defense as a whole played well and certainly has a lot of positives to look back on. Jones Jr, yet again, was everywhere on defense and continues his extremely strong season after being moved to the starting rover position since the Nebraska game. Jones Jr. finished with a PFF defensive grade of 74.4, good for first on the Hoosiers and second overall in the game (behind Cody Simon, 81.4). On the season, Jones Jr. ranks just outside the top 50 in the entire country when it comes to PFF defensive grades among cornerbacks who have played at least 20% of a team’s snaps (Jones Jr. is listed as a CB, as there is no rover position on PFF). Fun fact, D'Angelo Ponds is 8th in the country on this same list!

Saturday, October 30th @ 7:00 PM EST…

Represents Indiana’s next game against the Purdue Boilermakers. Be on the lookout for another edition of “Numbers That Mattered” after that game as well.