2019 Game Preview: Ohio State vs Indiana
The challenge of Cincinnati respectfully brought concern on how the team was going to play against a team with a top deffense, and a threat offensively. The Buckeyes did more than rise up to the challenge, they dominated all four quarters, and beat the Bearcats 42-0. There was some conern on the offense after cooling down against FAU aftar starting off strong, but Ryan Day’s message was clear this past week in practice, as Ohio State played a complete game. No matter who you are or who you play, forcing a shutout is impressive, and for the Buckeyes to hold an opponent not named Rutgers scoreless since 2015, it is definitely a step in the right direction.
The only thing that would have made it better was for the Buckeyes to move or at the least stay at 5th in the polls, however LSU won with a statement win on the road at Texas. I think most Buckeye fans are ok, because Joe Burrow had an amazing game, and it is only week 2 of the season. There are a lot of games left and as Buckeye fans know, anything can happen between now and Championship weekend.
But in order to keep their goals alive, they need to win on the road, and move to 3-0, and the team standing in their way is the Hoosiers.
Head Coach: Tom Allen
2019 Record: 2-0
Location: Bloomington, IN
Conference: Big Ten
Ohio State Preview: For the second week in a row, Ryans Day’s imprint on this edition of the Ohio State Buckeyes is felt. There is still under center plays, mixed in with some three tight-end sets, and times where a tight-end motions to a full-back as an extra blocker. This does feel more like an NFL type offense than it does a normal college spread, but whatever it is they are doing, it is working. They have a great balanced attack so far with rushing and passing, and eclipsed 500 yards of total offense against a very good Bearcat defense.
Justin Fields once more had a solid game, and lived up to his star ranking. He passed for 224 yards, with only 5 incompletions, and passed for 2 touchdowns. He also added 42 yards and 2 touchdowns. Overall, he had a great day, and looked impressive controlling the offense. The only play that left a majority of Buckeye fans scratching their heads, and it was probably more of the play call and not on fields, but the 4th and 1, when Ohio State went for it in the redzone, and were stopped short after starting the play in the shotgun position instead of under center. Maybe that was a little nod to Urban Meyer, but unfortunately it did not convert. That will be something they hopefully look back at. Fields should continue to grow and learn from last week against another challenging defense, who is only allowing 257 yards a game.
Hello JK Dobbins. After failing to reach the century mark against FAU, Dobbins had a much better game against Cincinnati, and was able to gash the Bearcats fir 141 yards on 17 carries and 2 touchdowns. He had a long 60 yard dash in the second quarter, to bring the score 21-0. He also had a nice block in the 3rd quarter to lead Justin Fields to the endzone. Master Teague also has a nice game, adding 60 yards rushing on 11 carries. Steele Chambers, Demario McCall and Marcus Crowley also say some action.
A week after the tight ends got some attention, the receivers who took over in the passing game. KJ Hill led with 8 receptions and 57 yards and a touchdown. Ben Victor had 69 yards on 5 receptions, and Garrett Wilson caught 1 pass, but it was for a touchdown, his first as a Buckeye.
The defense was once again stout. Chase Young now has 3 sacks for the season, and Tuf Borland came up with an interception on a tipped ball.
Indiana Preview: The Hoosiers are off to a 2-0 start, beating Ball State 34-24, and shutting out Eastern Illinois 52-0. Tom Allen is in his third year coaching for the Hoosiers, with a total record of 12-15, going 5-7 for the past 2 seasons. The last time Ohio State played at Indiana, the Buckeyes led 28-20 at half, but then pulled away scoring Hoosiers led 14-13, but then the Buckeyes pulled away in the second half, winning 49-21.
Even though Peyton Ramsey returns for the Hoosiers, it is actually Freshman Michael Penix who is the starter. For the season, he has 523 yards passing, with 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He also is a threat on the ground, as the second leading rusher with 79 yards on 9 carries.
The leading rusher honors goes to Stevie Scott III, who has 109 yards and 3 touchdowns. Scott is the primary rusher for the Hoosiers, and the only other running back with double digit carries is Sampson James with 13 carries and 22 yards and a touchdown. Its cleat that Indiana is a passing team, similar to the scheme of Ohio State last season,
The Hoosiers have spread the ball around between their skill players. The leading receiver is Whop Philyor with 10 receptions and 141 yards. Donavan Hale is the deep threat with 126 yards with 6 receptions and a touchdown. A theme with Ohio State’s first two opponents is a threat at the tight end with Peyton Hendershot, who has 121 yards on 9 receptions and a touchdown. Last, a familiar name is Nick Wesbrook, who only has 3 receptions but 103 yards and a touchdowns.
Defensively, they have not really been challenged because of their first two opponents, but they have only given up an average of 76 yards on the ground and 181 yards in the air. They will have their hands full though with the Buckeye offense.
Buckeye Spotlight: Chase Young. Through 2 games, Young has already accumulated 3 sacks, and is on pace to break the Big Ten record for sacks in a season. The last two weeks, we have focused on the offensive side of the ball, but this week, and anytime a team is on the road, you need the defense to travel, and there is no one bigger than Chase Young. The defense will need to continue their improvements from last season, and it starts with Chase.
Hoosier Spotlight: Michael Penix. The freshman out of Florida has thrown for 523 yards and 3 touchdowns and added 79 yards rushing. Like Ridder of Cincinnati, Penix does provide a threat as a passer and runner, and if the defensive line is not able to contain him, it could open up some opportunities for the Hoosiers to keep this game close.
Water Cooler Stat of the Game: 24. Ohio State is currently on a 24 game winning streak against the Hoosiers, and leads the series overall 74-12-5.
Prediction: Bloomington, and the Indiana Hoosiers the past few years, has been a tougher challenge than what is expected between the talent level for these two teams. Ohio State is clicking on offense, and starting to really open up their playbook. If Dobbins can help establish a run game, and make that a threat, that will open up the pass for Fields, and the wide receivers should challenge an overmatched secondary. Indiana has been impressive, ranking 23rd in total defense through their first 2 games, and have scored 86 points. Like Ohio State though, they have not played a real threat, but they should pose somewhat of a challenge though for the Buckeyes. The defense should continue to improve, and make it tough for Michael Penix, and Ohio State wins this one bigger than the opening spread, coming back to Columbus with a 3-0 record.