Ohio State Win Against Indiana Will Look Better as Season Progresses
A good win for Ohio State to start the season.
Don’t dwell on the negatives from the Ohio State 49-21 win over Indiana. If the fourth quarter provided a glimpse into how this season will unfold, Buckeye Nation is in for a special season.
This win will look better as the season progresses. Think Michigan against Colorado from 2016.
I said two weeks ago that the number one question heading into the game is how the secondary would hold up against the Hoosiers’ receivers. How often does a defense face a team that has three legitimate 6-foot-4, 225+pound guys along with a 6-foot-6 gunslinging quarterback?
Indiana went tempo and passed 65 times which was a brilliant game plan for two-and-half quarters. Once defensive coordinator Greg Schiano made the adjustments, Richard Lagow’s effectiveness was gone because the Hoosiers’ offensive line was gassed and the passing lanes evaporated.
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It was a blessing to face this type of offense before facing Oklahoma next week. Schiano and his staff can clean up the mistakes after allowing 410 yards.
J.T. Barrett and the receivers were off a little which is not surprising given it was the first game, on the road with pressure to perform against one of the better secondaries in the Big Ten. Once they settled down, they displayed the speed and size that will be matchup nightmares for most teams. It is refreshing to see a Barrett stat line with 304-yards passing.
The star of the night is indisputable. J.K. Dobbins is not coming off the field. He’ll rotate with Mike Weber a bit, but he’ll be the main man. The one-two punch will be needed in late October and the stretch run in November. Legs will be fresh.
Other impressive stats include allowing only one sack, zero turnovers and just five penalties. If that continues, few teams stand a chance at beating this team.
Next: The Importance of Parris Campbell to The Buckeyes
If the offensive inefficiency for one half is the only real downside to a night when the offense score 49 points, I’ll take it. On to the Sooners.