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Ohio State football: Game-by-game previews

By Peter Burtnett

Ohio State, led by start quarterback Justin Fields (1), was ranked No. 2 in the preseason coaches poll. Now, the Buckeyes and other Big Ten teams will remain idle until at least next spring.ghows-CK-200819941-1a1c9dc7.jpg
Ohio State, led by start quarterback Justin Fields (1), was ranked No. 2 in the preseason coaches poll. Now, the Buckeyes and other Big Ten teams will remain idle until at least next spring.ghows-CK-200819941-1a1c9dc7.jpg /
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Ohio State has had some close calls with IU over the years. This game might be closer than the experts think. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Ohio State has had some close calls with IU over the years. This game might be closer than the experts think. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Game 5: Nov. 21 vs. Indiana

The Hoosiers are often a nuisance against the Buckeyes, but that didn’t happen last year in a 51-10 Buckeye win. Head coach Tom Allen definitely has this team moving in the right direction after an 8-5 season with a four-game winning streak in October-early November.

QB Michael Penix Jr. made waves with a bold claim about Indiana’s chances to beat Ohio State, made his 1,394 yards, 10 TDs and 4 INTs in a back-up role could certainly be considered brash. With Peyton Ramsey leading their passing attack last year, the Hoosiers ranked second in the Big Ten and 15th nationally.

The Hoosiers return 17 starters in full, and a defense that struggled by Big Ten standards (ninth in scoring, passing yards allowed, and total defense), was still decent nationally, ranking in the top 50 in several key categories.

In the insanely-competitive Big Ten East division, the Hoosiers could compete for as high as third. But against Ohio State, the mountain will be too steep, though I do see them being competitive for a good part of the game.

Ohio State 37, Indiana 20

Game 6: Nov. 28 at Illinois

Last year, the high-ranked Wisconsin Badgers came into Champaign and left disappointed after a 24-23 loss on a last-second field goal to the Fighting Illini.

Led by Michigan transfer QB Brandon Peters, the Fighting Illini were nothing special on offense, gaining 329.5 yards per game and scoring 26.7 points per game. WR Josh Imatorbhebhe – not a good name in Ohio State memory – led the team in receiving yards (634), but the two leading rushers are both gone, leaving a hole to be filled.

Defensively, the Fighting Illini have up a lot of yards on the ground (195.5 yards per game) and return just five starters, none of which are on the defensive line.

If Master Teague and Trey Sermon are on, it could be a rough day for the Illinois defense. I see the Fighting Illini hanging around for the first half, but ultimately, the Buckeyes will control the second half and cruise to a 6-0 record.

Ohio State 45, Illinois 21

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