Ohio State Football: Confidence level against Indiana
By Eric Boggs
![COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 12: Miyan Williams #3 of the Ohio State Buckeyes is tackled by Dasan McCullough #0 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the second quarter of a game at Ohio Stadium on November 12, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images) COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 12: Miyan Williams #3 of the Ohio State Buckeyes is tackled by Dasan McCullough #0 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the second quarter of a game at Ohio Stadium on November 12, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/41aea92c43989478a89290cb2c5666abe8ebbd86c8cb39785d778c923f0bd039.jpg)
The Special Teams – Confidence Level 9
Jim Tressel famously proclaimed that the most important play in college football was the punt. For most people, special teams are an afterthought. However, special teams can either make or break a game. How different would things be if Noah Ruggles was able to drill that game-winning field goal against Georgia? Or if Egbuka could have slipped past a tackler and returned a kickoff or punt?
There will be some new faces for the Buckeyes this season when it comes to special teams. It sounds like third-year receiver Jayden Ballard will be the returner this season. He is one of the fastest players on the team and is in the mix for the two deep at wide receiver. Xavier Johnson is back for a sixth season and is the recipient of the Block O jersey. He has experience returning punts and could offer a steady hand if needed as well.
Ohio State will also be breaking in a new kicker as Jayden Fielding assumes those responsibilities. Fielding transferred to Ohio State a season ago from USC. He joins punter Jesse Mirco, who enters his third year at Ohio State.
Let’s hope this game doesn’t come down to kicking, but if it does, I’m pretty confidence Ohio State wins.