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Ohio State Football: Predictions for Buckeyes vs. Hoosiers

By Charlie Lockhart

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 7: Quarterback Justin Fields #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes scores on a 7-yard touchdown run in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Ohio Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 7: Quarterback Justin Fields #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes scores on a 7-yard touchdown run in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Ohio Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Malik Harrison #39 of the Ohio State Buckeyes tackles Sean McGrew #25 of the Washington Huskies during the first half in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Malik Harrison #39 of the Ohio State Buckeyes tackles Sean McGrew #25 of the Washington Huskies during the first half in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Blake:  Just as I expected, Ohio State is legit. I did not think the Buckeyes would be playing this well this quickly, but I am more than happy to admit my slight underestimation. Now the rest of the country and media outlets need to follow suit as well. These Buckeyes aren’t going anywhere under Ryan Day.

Last week Ohio State throttled in-state for Cincinnati by a wide margin of 42-0. Justin Fields and JK Dobbins had the offense rolling. Fields solidified himself among the nation’s best players, and his potential will allow him to continue to improve throughout the season which should punch him a ticket to New York City.

His command of the offense and presence in the pocket were evident in Week 2 as opposed to Week 1 where the Buckeyes went vanilla following the first quarter. Heading into Bloomington, however, will be a new test as playing Indiana opens Big Ten play and also brings the first road game of the season.

This matchup versus the Hoosiers will also help give us a better look at the level in which Fields’ is actually playing. I don’t expect him and the offense to skip a beat this Saturday. Moreover, much like two years ago, I expect JK Dobbins to put up big numbers and play a big role in Ohio State’s success out running Indiana.

The Hoosiers, though, always play the Buckeyes tough, but Ohio State is simply too deep and too fast for Indiana to hang around for three, let alone four quarters. This game will be competitive, but only for a half as I see it.

Chase Young and Malik Harrison will lead the defense and continue to stop the run. The Hoosiers will not run for more than 100 yards on Saturday. However, Indiana has been effective through the air this year so after all the “DBU” talk from Texas and LSU last week, the Buckeyes will get their first test to see if their secondary still lives up to their “BIA” (Best In America) reputation.

Look for Safety Brendon White to play more snaps this week Saturday in an effort to halt the Hoosiers’ air raid attack. They’ve averaged just shy of 400 yards (383.5) through the air, but I don’t expect them to exceed 250. In fact, I will go bold and say the Hoosiers don’t eclipse 300 yards of total offense on Saturday as the Buckeyes’ defense shows they belong in the elite conversation and make another statement.

Ohio State 38 Indiana 13

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