Ohio State football: A lesson in creating a trap game

A few months ago, I wrote an article exploring if the Ohio State football team has a trap game in 2021. After looking at the schedule, considering who they play and where, I decided they do not. Then ABC came along and manufactured one.

When the announcement was made the Buckeyes’ game at Indiana will be a 7:30 start, I actually laughed out loud. It is such a blatant attempt to create a trap game I wanted to high-five ABC and tell them, “You guys are gooooood.”

If this game was played at noon, 3:30, or was a night game on the Big Ten Network, I would not consider this a trap. But, as we have seen in the past, ABC is excellent at creating a storyline that is very sympathetic to the underdog home team. I don’t doubt you’ll hear over and over how the Hoosiers last beat Ohio State in 1988.

Most likely, they’ll drag out a couple of former Indiana players to talk about that win and point out the coach, Bill Mallory, was an assistant under Woody Hayes for OSU’s 1968 national champions. ABC won’t just do this before the game or at halftime, they’ll do it as play is going on.

They’ll be doing some heartstrings interviews and relegate what’s happening on the field to the background. Maybe I’m completely wrong about this. I doubt it because we’ve seen this so many times from them over the years.

Last season, the Hoosiers caught everyone by surprise and went 6-2. Most thought they’d make a push for the division title in 2021, but that hasn’t happened. They are currently 2-4 and have not won any of their three Big Ten games. Their offense isn’t going to scare anyone and has put the defense in a bad spot numerous times. They are dangerous on defense and gave Michigan State fits on Saturday.

I’m sure you won’t see empty seats Saturday night as you did against the Spartans. Michigan State is not the Buckeyes.  Memorial Stadium is going to be packed and LOUD. When you combine it all together, this has all the makings of a trap game. A manufactured one, but a trap game nonetheless.

Keep a box of tissues nearby Saturday night for whatever heartwarming tearjerker ABC drums up. Unless there is a total collapse by the Ohio State football team, I think Indiana is going to need far more than tv-made drama to beat the Buckeyes.