Indiana football takes on the No. 4 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday, in what is the first top five matchup in Memorial Stadium history. This is the game of the year in the Big Ten conference.
Ohio State
On offense, it starts and ends with Jeremiah Smith. The current Heisman favorite is the best receiver, and player, in the country. He already has 48 catches , 916 yards, and 11 touchdowns. For some players, that would be a great season. For Smith, that is possible in just six games. Smith, along with Julian Sayin, who finished fourth in Heisman voting last year at QB, form the best WR-QB duo in the nation. Bo Jackson leads the team with 460 rushing yards including going for 107 and two touchdowns a week ago against Maryland. He is a great player, but the defensive scouting report for Indiana is all about No. 4.
Ohio State has been improving week by week defensively. They have the second best defense in the Big Ten in terms of yards per game, and are ranked first according to SP+. Jaylen McClain has 2 interceptions from the safety position, and Payton Pierce leads the team with 30 tackles at linebacker. If I could sum this defense up in one word, it is depth. Ohio State does not have the same top end talent on this side of the ball that they had a season ago, but their depth is what makes them a dominant unit.
Special Teams
Ohio State’s struggles at kicker are well documented. The advanced analytics show that their special teams as a whole are not strong. They have the best offense and defense in the country (SP+), but their special teams is ranked 102. Indiana’s is ranked 38th. The Hoosiers must control field position, and make their field goals and extra points. A missed field goal will loom large in a game where points will be at a premium.
Stat to Know
Indiana has not lost the turnover battle in 30 consecutive games, dating back to 2024 against Maryland, which was Curt Cignetti’s first Big Ten home game as head coach. They cannot afford to give Ohio State any short fields with turnovers, and need to play a clean game if they want to compete in this one.
Prediction
Ultimately, Indiana’s defensive line should be able to stop the run, and generate pressure on Julian Sayin. This should alleviate some of the concerns in the secondary. Indiana’s gameplan will be to let Jeremiah Smith get his numbers, much like last year. If they can contain the rest of Ohio State’s offense, they will be in good shape. The home crowd will also play a huge factor in this game. Memorial Stadium will not be the loudest place the Buckeyes have played in, but Indiana will be able to hear and call plays when they are on offense. In the only two games Indiana has lost under Curt Cignetti, they had to use the silent count. That will not be the case in this one.
Indiana’s offense must generate explosive plays. Unlike last year, this has been a feast or famine unit so far, and Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh will need to make some tough catches down the field to generate offense and momentum. I think this is the game where Indiana’s rushing offense can get back on track, which will open up some throws for Josh Hoover.
Ohio State is favored by 3.5 on the road, and I am going to take the Hoosiers outright. This is going to be a low scoring, hard hitting football game, and the final score will be 20-14 Indiana.