A week after beating Northwestern 21-7 in a very windy, ugly game on the road, the Buckeyes are home to face a struggling Indiana Hoosiers team under Tom Allen that's gone 3-6 so far this season. Snow is in the forecast for the noon kickoff as well. Where have we seen this before? The Buckeyes are playing a bad team in possibly less than ideal weather. Hopefully Ohio State uses a carbon copy of the game plan that helped them get rolling in the second half last week, but they get it rolling early.
While I doubt it will be as windy this time like it was last week, the Buckeyes will again have to contend with the elements (cold, possible snow) like they did against the Wildcats. Yes, they're 9-0. But it's the middle of November. It's time for the stretch run. And these guys need to get it together. I know it's against Indiana. But there's a certain bunch of Wolverines up north waiting on this team. If Ohio State struggles again this week, they'll be licking their chops two weeks before invading Columbus.
But if Ohio State doesn't take care of business today, The Game means nothing. Let's take a look at the Keys to Victory!
Run the football!
I don't like viewing a bad opponent as "practice." Every opponent in my eyes, has a puncher's chance of winning. And that includes Indiana. But if Ohio State comes out sharp on defense and shuts the Hoosiers down early, that will allow the Buckeyes to practice on the weakest part of their game: running the football.
Indiana is surrendering 158 yards on the ground. They struggle stopping the run. Plain and simple. That's the green light for a heavy dose of Miyan Williams, and maybe some designed quarterback runs by CJ Stroud. Williams ran the ball 26 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns last week. While Stroud himself ran the ball six times for 79 yards. Including a run of 40+ yards. The Buckeyes CAN run the football. It's time to showcase it today!
Unleash the Rushmen
Ohio State Defensive Line Coach Larry Johnson has to be salivating today. Indiana has given up 29 sacks in nine games, which comes out to just over three sacks a game. I would be surprised if JT Tuimoloau and the rest of the Buckeye defensive front didn't have a field day getting after Hoosiers quarterback Connor Bazelak.
The Buckeye secondary may also have a big day today as well, since Bazelak has thrown only 12 touchdowns compared to nine interceptions. If the defensive line gets after Indiana like I think they can, the secondary has a chance to feast.
Business as usual
I know I mentioned That Team Up North. And I absolutely cannot wait for November 26th. I want those guys. BAD. But for now, it's important that Ohio State sharpens their gameplan against the team the schedule has put in front of them in Indiana.
What does that look like? It means a fast start. No sleepwalking. And no playing down to the competition. And high enough energy, and playing at a high enough level to run the Hoosiers right out of the 'Shoe!
The national pundits and prognosticators are questioning Ohio State's toughness after last week. Rightfully so. This is an opportunity to quiet them a little bit by handling everything with a take no prisoners, business as usual mindset today. Hopefully they get the job done!
It all goes down on FOX at high noon!
GO BUCKS!
Sources: College Football on Fox via YouTube, Buckeyes Now via FanNation, Buckeyes Wire at USA Today, The Columbus Dispatch.
Picture Credit: footballclubfootball.blogspot.com
Kommentare