Okay, so you’re asking why this is posted on a predominately Nebraska Cornhuskers website. Well, it’s because our Huskers play in the Big Ten, and as fans we all need to educate ourselves to what level our Huskers need to be at to win this conference. This is the game we all want to see our team in, so you can’t ignore it. No matter how much you may dislike these two teams, as of now, they are the standard.
When you hear a football coach say he wants to see his team play fast, be physical, be mean and have an edge, look no further than Indiana. Those were the words Curt Cignetti used when he first arrived in Bloomington and that is exactly how his team plays. Defensively they play fast, create havoc, and cause turnovers. Saturday they will try to play that way against one of the best teams in the country in Ohio State.
I can’t lie, I didn’t like Cignetti and his braggadocios ways and almost everything I’ve written about the guy has been negative. But this time I can’t do it. He’s won me over in his second year. He’s done everything he said he was going to do and you can’t help but like the way his team plays football. The question now is, can he get his team to take that next step and win the Big Ten Championship.
If Ohio State has a weakness this year, it’s that they haven’t been challenged. I think that is something that every championship team needs to have happen during the season to keep them sharp. My worry here is that last season Ohio State lost to Michigan and still won the Natty. Is there a deep hidden mentality now that it’s okay to lose, that they are in the CFP no matter what and a loss here doesn’t change the goal. I’m not saying they won’t play hard or don’t want to win, I’m just asking if there’s a fracture there that nobody can see. Are they one of those teams who believe they can flip a switch at any time and change the outcome. Too many times, we’ve seen good teams get down, play their asses off to get back in it and then fall short, killing all momentum afterwards. Plus, there was a great feeling of relief from both players and coaches after the win against Michigan. It all adds up to bad juju. Look at Penn State after the Oregon loss this season.
Ohio Sate has one of the most talented teams in the country, they are loaded at every position. So, where do you start? Well, let’s start with their coordinators. Will there be any negative effect of OC Brian Hartline leaving to be the head coach at USF. Yes, he’s staying to coach through the season, but does it change the dynamics between players and coaches. And now it’s rumored DC Matt Patricia has been contacted about the Penn State job after one season in Columbus. Does that have a negative impact on players. This team doesn’t need distractions, not now. But there they are.
Ohio State Offense
OSU’s QB Julian Sayin may be a freshman but he’s having the kind of season that has stirred up Heisman talk. He’s gotten better as the season has gone on, passing for 3,065 yards, 30 TDs, and 5 INTs with a 78.9% completion rate. However, his rushing total is nonexistent, 31 carries for 27 yards while only being sacked 6 times.
He is supported by a good running game in RB Bo Jackson who has rushed for 952 yards and 5 TDs on the season. Jackson also has 17 receptions for 187 yards and 1 TD.
The real strength of the offense is the receivers with WR Jeremiah Smith leading the team with 942 yards and 11 TDs. He has 2 carries for 20 yards and 1 TD. Smith is followed by WR Carnell Tate with 793 yards and 8 TDs. He has 2 carries for 16 yards. So, both WRs are running threats as well. Third in yardage is TE Max Klare with 420 yards and 2 TDs.
Sayin spreads the ball around well and offensively the Buckeyes average 438.5 yards and 37 points per game. They are 13th in the nation in points scored. They average 267 yards per game passing.
Indiana Defense
For me the strength of Indiana’s defense is their linebackers, led by Rolijah Hardy, Aiden Fisher, and Isaiah Jones.
Hardy has 76 total tackles, 11.5 TFLs, and 7 sacks. Fisher has 72 total tackles, 7 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 2 INTs, and 1 fumble recovery. Jones has 59 total tackles, 12 TFLs, 5 Sacks, 1 INT, and 1 forced fumble. The Hoosier linebackers are very active and create pressure.
In front of them they have defensive lineman Stephan Daley and Tyrique Tucker. Dayley has 18 TFLs and 4.5 sacks. Tucker has 10 FLs, and 5.5 sacks. They do not play on their heels and are always in search and destroy mode.
The name to remember in the defensive backfield is Louis Moore. He has 68 total tackles, 2 TFLs, 5 interceptions and 2 pass breakups. He’ll be a good matchup against the OSU receivers.
As a team the Hoosiers have 103 TFLs, 34 sacks, 16 INTs, 8 fumble recoveries and 9 forced fumbles. They allow 251.8 yards and 10.9 points per game on the season. The points allowed are 2nd in the nation. They give up an average of 172.5 yards passing per game.
Indiana Offense
Offenively the Hoosiers are led by QB Fernado Mendoza. He too is getting Heisman buzz, and with good reason. This season Mendoza has passed for 2,758 yards, 32 TDs, 5 INTs, while rushing for 243 yards and 6 TDs. He’s been sacked 15 times this season.
His top two targets are Omar Cooper and Elijah Sarrratt. Cooper has 854 yards and 11 TDs receiving. It was Cooper who made the game winning catch against Penn State with 36 seconds left. Cooper also has 3 carries on the season for 74 yards and 1 TD. Sarratt has 650 yards and 11 TDs receiving on the season. Sarratt is a problem for defenses when he is on the field.
Indiana has a dual threat in the running game with Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black. Hemby has 163 carries for 866 yards and 6 TDs. Black has 127 carries for 729 yards and 7 TDs. Hemby can also catch the ball with 13 receptions for 113 yards.
On the season the Hoosiers average 438.8 yards and 44.3 points per game. They are 2nd in the nation in points scored. They rush for an average of 229.8 yards per game.
Ohio State Defense
The Ohio State defense is ranked number one in the country in several categories and there has been no drop off at DC from Jim Knowles to Matt Patrica. If anything, they’ve gotten better. Patrica is elite at putting his players in position to make plays.
Making those plays starts at the defensive end position. D-ends Caden Curry and Kenyetta Jackson bring the carnage. Curry has 53 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, 9 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 forced fumble. Jackson has 24 tackles, 10 TFLs, 5.5 sacks and 2 pass breakups.
Behind them are linebackers Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese. Styles has 68 total tackles, 5 TFLs, ½ sack, 1 INT, 3 pass break-ups, and 1 forced fumble. Reese has 61 total tackles, 10 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, and 2 pass breakups.
It will be interesting to see DB Caleb Downs against Copper and Sarrett. Down’s stats aren’t particularly impressive, but it’s because no one tries to go against him. He has 52 tackles, 5 TFLs, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, and 2 pass breakups.
As a team Ohio State has 70 TFLs, 30 sacks, 7 INTs, 6 fumble recoveries, and 8 forced fumbles. They only allow 203 yards and 7.8 points per game. The points allowed are 1st nationally. The Buckeyes allow 81.7 yards rushing per game.
Looking at the kicking game Indiana has a slight edge, as kicker Nico Radicic is 70/70 on XP and 13/13 on FGs. His longest is 46 yards. For OSU, kicker Jayden Fielding is 53/53 on XPs and 15/17 on FGs, with his longest being 49 yards. Punting and kicking stats, both in yardage kicked and yardage returned are a wash.
The most noticeable stat between the two teams is turnover ratio, Indiana is +17, Ohio State +6.
This is a great matchup and has the potential to be one of the better Big Ten Championship games we’ve seen for a while. If you had to pinpoint keys in this one, I’d have to say for Indiana it’ll be getting pressure on the young QB Sayin. He hasn’t been pressured all season. For Ohio State, it’ll be slowing down Indiana’s running game. If they can force Mendoza to beat them with his arm they have a shot. I think Indian is the hungrier team at this point and has more to prove and play for. I like ‘Google Me’ and the Hoosiers to win this one.
OTC’s Pick – Indiana 24-21
GO BIG RED!!
Stats gathered from ESPN – Serving Sports Fans. Anytime. Anywhere.
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