Bobby Carpenter talks expectations for Ohio State-Indiana

Ohio State returns to the field on Saturday afternoon against undefeated and 9th ranked Indiana with hopes of moving to 4-0. Bobby Carpenter, former Buckeye linebacker and Dallas Cowboys first-round pick, talked to me about expectations for Indiana, Master Teague, Ohio State’s defense moving forward, and more.

It’s been an impressive start to the year for the Hoosiers, who are averaging 33.8 points and 361.8 yards per game with wins over Penn State, Rutgers, Michigan, and Michigan State. Penix has completed 60.6% of his throws for nine touchdowns and three interceptions, while Ty Fryfrogle has recorded a team-high 24 receptions for 424 yards.

“Indiana’s not fluky. They’re not as talented as Ohio State but they’re good. Tom Allen has that defense playing well. They’re playing complementary football and not putting themselves in bad positions,” Carpenter explained. “They’re getting good quarterback play from Pennix, he’s a heck of a player, and they’ve got some great receivers.”

Indiana’s offense is very reliant on the short passing game, most notably through screens and slants, and the Buckeyes will look to take that away early in the day. The key will be OSU’s linebackers Tuf Borland, Baron Browning, and Pete Werner, who will try to limit Penix’s comfortability in the pocket.

“You have three linebackers that are seniors and that obviously helps just being around and having that presence. You need players that can balance each other out and I think they have a pretty good balance of it with them,” Carpenter told me. “They’re seniors and are all making plays.”

On the offensive side, the Buckeyes will continue to lean on Heisman candidate Justin Fields and the passing game but will likely call on Teague and Trey Sermon for double-digit carries. Teague is coming into the game with a team-high 211 yards and four touchdowns on 4.5 yards per carry.

“Master Teague is a really good running back. I like the running backs that they have but I’m waiting for someone to emerge and become like J.K. Dobbins,” Carpenter said. “This is going to be a committee situation. Guys are going to have to figure out their specific skill set and what plays and packages they like for each guy.”

Carpenter also talked about how the Buckeyes are getting better: “They’re starting to make improvements already. I would imagine by the time the Big Ten season is rounding out, it’s going to look different than last year but I think this team is fully capable of winning a national championship with the guys they have on it.”

Ohio State-Indiana kicks off on Saturday at noon in Columbus.