The Big Ten opener takes them to Indiana – 4-0 for the first time since 1990 – for the most anticipated game in Bloomington in years. Conference pride is something the SEC has always taken more seriously than the Big Ten, and that won’t change anytime soon. He hasn’t faced anything like this Ohio State defense yet, but he’ll need to shoulder the brunt of the load for Indiana if they want to have a fighter’s chance in this one.
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The threat of Howard on the ground opens up the play-action pass for senior quarterback Nate Sudfeld, who has passed for 1,143 yards and seven touchdowns through four games.
Bucknuts recruiting analyst Bill Kurelic said that White’s commitment is important for Ohio State in several ways. I think Tim’s just transitioning. The Hoosiers have not enjoyed such a start since, nor have they won another league title. Nearly 53,000 fans will pack Memorial Stadium to see the unbeaten Hoosiers try to put an early damper on the Buckeyes’ hope for a national championship. It’s hard to imagine Ohio State’s 19-game win streak over Indiana ending here.
The same thing happened to Samuel two weeks ago. Regardless, the Hoosiers have nothing to lose this week.
SERIES HISTORY: Ohio State leads Indiana, 70-12-5.
“I have never been one to make too many judgments on anything in September”, said Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz, now in his 17th season.
If Ohio State slows down Howard, it can shift it’s attention towards limiting what’s been an explosive Indiana passing attack.
Meyer on Miller: Braxton Miller gained 140 yards rushing and receiving in the first game against Virginia Tech. Alabama’s defense has allowed 227 yards over the same stretch, and opponents are gaining just 2.0 yards per carry. This award recognizes the best football scholar athlete in the nation. – Ohio State freshman WR Terry McLaurin on playing in his home state of Indiana this weekend.
Wisconsin had been counting on former Glassboro High star Corey Clement to be its featured running back this season, but Clement’s sports-hernia injury that required surgery has prompted coach Paul Chryst to call an audible. The Buckeyes were also projected to win all 12 of their games in the regular season by double-digit points, according to the Las Vegas Superbook. His sixteen receptions lead the team as well as 238 yards and three touchdowns.
The numbers tell the story for coach Urban Meyer during his time at Ohio State: 24-0. Luckily, a bruising running game is exactly what Indiana needs to topple the Buckeyes. The Buckeyes don’t even try to distinguish the safety’s rolls on the team’s depth chart, as both Bell and teammate Tyvis Powell are simply listed as “SAF”. Probably the most entertaining Pac-12 game will be played in the afternoon, Washington State and California, two teams that combined for 1,400 total yards and 119 points (60-59, Cal) last season.
J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones are two efficient quarterbacks, but it has to kill their confidence in what they are doing to them.
The Hoosiers also have three one-possession wins over Southern Illinois, Western Kentucky, and Wake Forest.
The Hoosier offense portends a legitimate test for the Buckeyes’ Silver Bullet defense.
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-OT Jason Spriggs (No. 9 offensive tackle, 84th overall) – Spriggs has been a key to the Hoosiers’ 4-0 start, helping the offense average more than 500 yards per game and display exquisite balance. Head coach Urban Meyer himself admitted that Ohio State wants to beat Michigan in every aspect of the game, from battles on the recruiting front to games on the field.
