I've only been able to watch Ohio State a limited amount this week but had I been able to see more I think I would have found what we already know. The Buckeyes are pretty good everywhere. Bill Connelly included the Buckeyes as part of the College Football 'Death Star' along with Alabama and Clemson and rightly so. Those programs along with arguably Georgia and LSU basically exist in a parallel universe. Rivals rated 35 5-star prospects in their 2020 recruiting class and more than half of them - 19 - went to the schools just mentioned. And that's the way it is every year.
And by the way O-State has won 23 Big Ten East games in a row - their last loss was to Penn State in 2016.
I know most of you already know that. So the question I have been asking myself this week is this: Does Indiana have a path to victory Saturday?
My hunch is that Ohio State is going to come out throwing haymakers and that they will try to demoralize the Hoosiers early. I suspect that a couple of those initial Buckeye blows will connect. In that scenario I want to see the Hoosiers respond by punching OSU right back in the mouth. I want to see us bow up and say sorry fellas but you've got a war on your hands today. If you thought it was going to be a picnic you're wrong. If we can weather the early storm then that belief that has been carrying us in 2020 will kick in and then at that point anything is possible.
In my estimation the Indiana Offense will need:
We should be able to get some pressure on Fields with our blitz packages. I would say we need 2 to 3 sacks and at least 4 or 5 hurries to see if we can force him into a couple of bad decisions. The Heisman front-runner (in my view) has 11 TDs and 0 Interceptions so far so if he has all day to throw he will pick us apart. He can get yards with his feet but that doesn't seem to be his primary focus. To be honest I'm not sure if a spy is necessary on him or not but I would have that in the arsenal just in case.
One thing we have that they don't (at least to the degree we do) is the LEO factor. People can poo-pooh that but it makes a difference.
And by the way O-State has won 23 Big Ten East games in a row - their last loss was to Penn State in 2016.
I know most of you already know that. So the question I have been asking myself this week is this: Does Indiana have a path to victory Saturday?
My hunch is that Ohio State is going to come out throwing haymakers and that they will try to demoralize the Hoosiers early. I suspect that a couple of those initial Buckeye blows will connect. In that scenario I want to see the Hoosiers respond by punching OSU right back in the mouth. I want to see us bow up and say sorry fellas but you've got a war on your hands today. If you thought it was going to be a picnic you're wrong. If we can weather the early storm then that belief that has been carrying us in 2020 will kick in and then at that point anything is possible.
In my estimation the Indiana Offense will need:
- at least 35 points
- 100 rushing yards (which I feel is doable)
- 3 or 4 rushes of 10 yards or more
- no fumbles lost
- at least 350 through the air
- keep Ohio State under 50 percent on 3rd down conversions
- get 3 or 4 stops per half
- force 2-3 field goals instead of touchdowns
- limit Ohio State to fewer than five explosive rushes and less than 150 rushing yards
- Indiana can allow no more than 1 or 2 passing TDs of 20 yards or more
We should be able to get some pressure on Fields with our blitz packages. I would say we need 2 to 3 sacks and at least 4 or 5 hurries to see if we can force him into a couple of bad decisions. The Heisman front-runner (in my view) has 11 TDs and 0 Interceptions so far so if he has all day to throw he will pick us apart. He can get yards with his feet but that doesn't seem to be his primary focus. To be honest I'm not sure if a spy is necessary on him or not but I would have that in the arsenal just in case.
One thing we have that they don't (at least to the degree we do) is the LEO factor. People can poo-pooh that but it makes a difference.
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