Only way to take Smith out of this is to get after the guy throwing to him. Keep them off the field as much as possible. You won’t stop smith. I’d argue neither team is as complete as last year. I expect a low possession, low scoring game. Explosives are actually in IU favor. Keep it close and give yourself a chance.
This is absolutely the key. We have to get pressure on Sayin and force him out of the pocket. I thought our DL was nonexistent in the first half against Nebraska. Our DBs also have to be playing tighter coverage. Always a step late on these passes over the middle getting to the WR.
Ohio State's OL struggled against IU and Miami last season. They yielded 10 sacks across those final two games (losses) and the team rushed for just 58 yards against us and 45 against Miami.
They've got a new OC (Arthur Smith, OC for the Steelers last season), but there were lingering concerns about their OL heading into this season. There was some last-minute shuffling last week against Maryland when starting right tackle Austin Siereveld was ruled out on game day, reportedly due to illness. Despite OSU's lopsided win, and rushing for 207 yards (against a bad Maryland D), there were issues with the OL. Sayin was sacked twice, the starting OL surrendered 3 TFLs on run plays, and Sayin was pressured on 35% of his dropbacks. Not certain if Siereveld will be back this week but, if their OL plays like that again and if Sayin's frequently dealing with 3rd and long, they'll be in trouble against us, notwithstanding their star WR.
Northwestern and Nebraska's tight ends had success against us. Assuming Sayin goes through his progressions and doesn't try to force it to Smith, which he has a tendency to do, look for TE Nate Roberts to be a target. Sayin connected on a 68-yard TD pass to Roberts last week against Maryland.
Bingo.
Also IU tries to do too much. Too many things going on. I thought they ditched Hurts So Good because they did the phone light show, then they played it after. I just don't get it some times. We'll see if it hits Saturday. I am with you, if it doesn't, you move on from it after the season.
Thank you for reading Hoosier Huddle
it really was cool at the Rose Bowl. But that was just a different crowd than at MS every Saturday. Much more alumni and money centric than normal because of all the extra expense to get/stay there. Definitely an older set.
Heard a report today that one of the starting OSU Olineman has Mono and is expected out for 4 weeks.
Would like to beat them at their best, but not against more of them getting Mono.
It boggles my mind how the crowd doesn’t know to shut up when the offense is on the field. Students must be getting dumber with every passing year. I don’t know how any of them get jobs.
As for the team, I’d like to see them not sleepwalk for three quarters and actually start and finish strong. Maybe Hoover can finally throw an accurate deep ball at home.
It boggles my mind how the crowd doesn’t know to shut up when the offense is on the field. Students must be getting dumber with every passing year. I don’t know how any of them get jobs.
As for the team, I’d like to see them not sleepwalk for three quarters and actually start and finish strong. Maybe Hoover can finally throw an accurate deep ball at home.
Only been to one game so far this year and wasn't by the student section, but if that is an issue then have cheerleaders hold up quiet signs to do some fan training
Jamming Smith at the LOS selectively is a scheme that worked against that Maryland WR.
Heard a report today that one of the starting OSU Olineman has Mono and is expected out for 4 weeks.
Would like to beat them at their best, but not against more of them getting Mono.
There was something on social media that it's Siereveld (he missed the Maryland game with an unspecified illness) but who knows how accurate (or not) that information is.
If true, that's a serious diagnosis for a football player, or anyone who engages in contact sports, because mono often results in an enlarged spleen. A tackle or hit could cause an enlarged spleen to rupture, and a ruptured spleen is a life-threatening medical emergency. I would think any football player with that diagnosis would be out for quite a while.