Know Your Opponent: No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes

Written by: Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)

Head Coach: Ryan Day

Overall: 3rd Season, 28-3 (.903) Overall

Bowl Appearances at Ohio State: 2

2020 Record: 7-1 (5-0, 1st in the Big Ten East)

Bowl Appearances Since 2000: 22 (12-10)

Mascot: Brutus Buckeye

Colors: Scarlet, Gray, White, and Black

Outfitter: Nike

National Titles: 8 Claimed, 7 Unclaimed

Conference Titles: 41

Heisman Winners: 7

2021 Record: 5-1

Last Week: BYE WEEK

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: CJ Stroud (104-157 passing (66.2%), 1699 yards, 18 TDs, 3 INTs)

Rushing: TreVeyon Henderson (70 rushes, 612 yards, 8.7 YPC, 9 TDs)

Receiving: Garrett Wilson (31 receptions, 546 yards, 6 TDs)

Tackles: Ronnie Hickman (50 tackles, 32 solo, 2 INTs, 1 TD)

Stat of the Week: Ohio State leads the country in total offense. They’ve scored 34 offensive touchdowns (Indiana has scored 13) and average 563.2 yards per game.

Ohio State’s Talking Points

1. Another Top-10 Foe.

Stop me if you’ve heard this before for Indiana, but once again the Hoosiers will welcome a top-ten opponent to Bloomington.

After some early season struggles, including events like a surprising home loss to Oregon and a defensive player quitting mid-game earlier this season, Ohio State seems to have regained its footing and once again has its sights set on the top of the Big Ten and the College Football Playoff. As usual with the Ryan Day coached Buckeyes, Indiana should expect a potent offensive attack. Ohio State’s defense is their weakness, though they have improved drastically as the season draws near the halfway point.

2. Skill Position Players

CJ Stroud was a bit shaky to start the season after taking over for Justin Fields, but now that he has gained his footing, it is quite evident the embarrassment of riches the Buckeyes boast at the skill positions. Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave are both potential NFL first-rounders at the wide receiver position, while TreVeyon Henderson and Master Teague III hold down the backfield and keep the Buckeyes balanced. The Indiana defense has been the lone bright spot in a disappointing season so far, but they’ll have their hands full this week.

“They're just so explosive,” said Tom Allen on Monday. “Their receiver core is different than you usually will see. They have three receivers that are as good as anybody you're going to face in the country. So that puts a lot of stress on you. Talented quarterback and talented running backs, as well.”

3. Back Half Schedule

You don’t often see a trap game off a bye week, but if Ohio State was going to be caught looking ahead on their schedule, it would be now. After traveling to Indiana, the Buckeyes will head back to Columbus for a date with Penn State in a game that should have plenty of Big Ten East implications. Michigan, Michigan State, a road test at Nebraska, and now-ranked Purdue still await on the schedule as well.