Week Six Matchup to Watch: Ohio State's Rushing Game vs. IU's D-Line
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The Indiana defensive line must slow down OSU’s running game Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle
Written By Lauralys Shallow
Indiana travels to No. 3 Ohio State this weekend, and one of the biggest storylines heading into the matchup is how IU’s defense will fare against the Buckeyes running attack. Urban Meyer runs an explosive offense, and Tom Allen emphasizes stops and takeaways on defense. The IU defensive line against Ohio State’s run game is this week’s matchup to watch because IU has to slow down the rushing attack and force long pass situations if IU wants a chance to leave Columbus with a victory.
The last time IU faced Ohio State, the Buckeyes ran for 292 yards and averaged 5.7 yards per carry. Sophomore running back J.K. Dobbins had 181 yards and averaged 6.2 yards per carry. Dobbins and Ohio State’s rushing attack as a whole is a large reason why IU lost 49-21 in its season opener last year. However, this year, the IU defensive line has had five games, three non-conference and two conference opponents, to prepare for Ohio State’s rushing attack.
Through the first five games of the season, the IU defense is 67th in the country in rushing defense, allowing 158.2 rush yards per game and 4.39 yards a carry. Meanwhile, the Ohio State offense averages 210.4 rush yards per game, and its two main backs, Dobbins and junior Mike Weber, rank 7th and 8th respectively in the Big Ten for rushing yards. Dobbins has rushed for 380 yards and 3 touchdowns while averaging 5.2 yards per carry. Weber has rushed for 350 yards and 5 touchdowns while averaging 5.7 yards per carry. If the IU defense can hold an offense like Ohio State to under 200 yards rushing, that would be incredibly impressive. With all the weapons Ohio State has, it will be hard for the defense to limit Ohio State’s rushing to under 200 yards, but the IU defense needs to hold Ohio State under 250 yards. IU has the depth and talent to contain Ohio State’s tandem of Dobbins and Weber, but the IU defensive line has to play disciplined and finish.
Junior Allen Stallings and redshirt junior Gavin Everett have combined for 7.5 TFLs so far on the year. IU is 4th in the Big Ten with 33 TFLs, and the defensive line has to tackle the Ohio State Dobbins and Weber at or behind the line of scrimmage often. IU will not effectively stop the Ohio State run attack if its linemen cannot burst through gaps in the offensive line or win the edge and make TFLs in the game. Along with Stallings and Everett, redshirt sophomore Jerome Johnson, graduate transfer Kayton Samuels, redshirt senior Mike Barwick Jr. and senior Jacob Robinson need to win their one on one battles and get the running backs down as close to the line of scrimmage as possible. Freshmen James Head Jr. and Shamar Jones will most likely be utilized in the rotation, and IU needs a solid performance from the two to contribute to stopping Ohio State’s run.
The IU defensive line will face its biggest test yet at on Saturday, as the Buckeyes have two tailbacks that have the size and speed to gash defenses. The IU defensive line has the rotational depth and talent to matchup with Ohio State’s rushing attack, and it will be a matter of executing and finishing.