IU is making up for lost time. Minnesota has been a consistent bowl team under Fleck but would they trade those 8 win seasons for the last two years of success IU has achieved? Quite possibly.
I think IU is a better overall football TEAM. OSU, by virtue of guys like Smith, Tate, Downs, and Reese, have more dominant playmakers on both sides of the ball. It will be VERY, VERY important that IU can run the ball effectively. And that they can stop the run effectively. Smith and Tate are going to make some big plays. If we're going to beat them, they can't make those plays AND have OSU's running backs gashing us too. If we can put OSU in to more 3rd and longs, than 3rd and shorts... should be a really, really good game, that we can definitely win.
If the game is close, I think IU and OSU stay 1, 2. If either team blows the other out, maybe the lose drops to 3. Can't fathom either dropping lower than that though.
[I guarantee you the committee would love to move us to #5 with a loss. Hope we keep it close at least.
"We're not punishing teams that make their conference championship games"
/the committee, every year
Yuracheck was given a chance to say those words and he did not. Said it would be another data point used to evaluate.
If anyone here can find me some nosebleed tickets at or under $300 lmk! I know it’s a longshot for any ticket to be under $500, but just inquiring!
@hoosieralum07 $300 might not get you in, but there were many in the $400 range when I checked StubHub last night.
@hoosierdaddy it’s mostly not. Since both IU and Ohio state likely get byes it’s the same amount of games. Now if one doesn’t get a bye then it’s an extra game. Most years the SEC and B1G teams will get byes just by being ranked so high but I get your point.
This game should be studied for years because of the insane difference in how these teams exist. IU shouldn’t be in this game on paper. Cig is like a messiah.
Don't look now but ESPN's FPI gives IU a 50.6% chance to beat Ohio St
Don't look now but ESPN's FPI gives IU a 50.6% chance to beat Ohio St
OSU is coming off a HUGELY emotional win. As big as this game will be for OSU, last week's was bigger. It's possible that OSU will be suffering from a hangover.
I think IU has to figure out a scheme to prevent OSU from huge pass plays. Two, they obviously need to limit the running game on first and second downs and force OSU to have to repeatedly convert third-down conversions. Sooner or later, you hope, they'll come up short and punt.
Offensively, you must avoid beating yourself by avoiding penalties and, obviously, turnovers. I think your OL will give Mendoza time to throw. OSU's pass rush is respectable but they lack a great edge rusher. As Cignetti said, you need a balanced attack to successfully move the ball and score. But, will IU be able to repeatedly convert third downs? I'm sure Cignetti and staff are working hard on developing a great attack plan.
I think IU can win if they don't beat themselves and if they execute great schemes on both sides of the ball.
@littlebitchbuckeye Aren't you the guy who just yesterday referred to this game as a "glorified scrimmage?" Now it's a big game. Too funny.
I think IU is a better overall football TEAM. OSU, by virtue of guys like Smith, Tate, Downs, and Reese, have more dominant playmakers on both sides of the ball. It will be VERY, VERY important that IU can run the ball effectively. And that they can stop the run effectively. Smith and Tate are going to make some big plays. If we're going to beat them, they can't make those plays AND have OSU's running backs gashing us too. If we can put OSU in to more 3rd and longs, than 3rd and shorts... should be a really, really good game, that we can definitely win.
If the game is close, I think IU and OSU stay 1, 2. If either team blows the other out, maybe the lose drops to 3. Can't fathom either dropping lower than that though.
I think the Hoosiers have an outstanding team. To say they are a better overall team I do not see that, Looking at both teams as offensive and defensive units where do you give the edge to IU? I am interested to hear your opinion. I share mine below. Good luck Saturday....
Offense Lines Even
Receivers & TE Advantage OSU
RB-Even
QB- Even
D-Line Advantage OSU
Linebackers Advantage OSU
DB's Advantage OSU
Special Teams Advantage IU
Coaching Advantage OSU.. Cig is great, but Day has been in more big games and has one Natty.
This post was modified 5 months ago by Zack Thomas
No hangover for the Bucks coming into this. First goal was win The Game next goal win the BIG10. Next win the Natty. One down two goals to go. If anything OSU will be playing much looser in this then game than vs Michigan last week.
@ironbuckeye1 I would give overall unit ranking to IU in... QB, RBs, DBs, Special Teams, coaching. I'd say offensive and defensive lines, and linebackedrs are even. OSU has better WRs (not nearly as big a gap as against most teams).
Now... In pretty much all of those categories, OSU has at least 1 dude that's better than anyone IU has. But using DB's as an example... we don't have Caleb Downs. But collectively, Ponds, Moore and company, I think are a better overall unit than OSUs. Linebackers, we don't have a freak like Reese. But as an overall unit, I'll take Fisher, Jones, and Hardy against anyone.
I think the game should be fairly even. But you can't discount the impact OSU's studs will have. They're all good enough to carry the day. Smith and Tate, as good as our DBs are and can be, they're both good enough to just go make plays we can't stop. Reese is good enough to wreck otherwise well executed plays. Downs can do the same. I'm not sure IU has many individuals capable of just out talenting well executed plays against them. And sometimes that's the difference. In fact, gun to my head, I'd actually say that would be the most likely thing to happen on Saturday. Smith, Tate, Reese, Downs make plays that make the difference.
@littlebitchbuckeye Aren't you the guy who just yesterday referred to this game as a "glorified scrimmage?" Now it's a big game. Too funny.
For all intents and purposes it is a glorified scrimmage. I bet Cignetti and Day would both prefer to skip it and hope to meet in the national title game.