Inside the Numbers Week Six: Takeaways, Slowing Haskins Key to Stopping 22-Game Losing Streak

Written By Nathan Comp

After what felt like a disappointing Big Ten road win against Rutgers last week, Indiana (4-1) travels to Ohio State’s (5-0) homecoming this weekend to battle the Buckeyes. Vegas favorites the Buckeyes by 26.5, but let’s take a look at some of the other statistics that may come into play in this week’s Inside the Numbers.

49.0

Fueled by the passing ability of Dwayne Haskins and the rushing talent of JK Dobbins, the Ohio State offense has averaged a whopping 49 points per game. They’ve amassed 64 more first downs their opponents through five games. Their lowest point total this year came last week on the road against Penn State, a game in which they still were able to score 27 points while Haskins completed only 56% of his passes. The Ohio State offense has appeared to be a juggernaut that few teams can stop.

22

Despite close battles in recent history, the Buckeyes currently hold a 22-game win streak against Indiana. A win this weekend would tie their record for most consecutive wins against the Hoosiers, when OSU won 23 straight between the years 1960 and 1986. Even in recent (the past 3) years when it has felt like Indiana was about to breakthrough and score an upset against one of the Big Ten East’s elite, the Buckeyes have still won by an average of 18 points each year. The closest of these defeats came in 2015, when Zander Diamont’s pass fell incomplete on the last play of the game and Ohio State escaped victorious by 7, 34-27.

0.9

During the Michigan State game at home during week five, the Indiana rushing attack was limited to just 0.9 yards per carry. On the season, Indiana has averaged 4.3 yards per carry. Michigan State’s front seven was the toughest Indiana has faced so far, but the road gets no easier this week against Ohio State. Even without Nick Bosa, who is sidelined with an injury until November, the Ohio State defensive line is still one of the best in the country. The Indiana offensive line will have to play better than it did against Michigan State and open up holes for Stevie Scott and the rest of the rushing attack to better balance the offense.

10

After a disappointing year in terms of takeaways last season, Indiana has seemed to right the ship this year. The Hoosier defense has tallied 10 takeaways in its five games and holds a +3 turnover margin. The defense has maintained a balanced attack of five fumble recoveries and five interceptions. To win, or even just keep it close, against Ohio State, the defense will have to force the issue by getting multiple takeaways and setting up the offense with a shorter field to put points on the board.