This week is a big week for the Ohio State Buckeyes and Indiana Hoosiers, and Curt Cignetti knows it. The undefeated Hoosiers host the fifth-ranked Buckeyes on Saturday afternoon in a game between the two top teams in the Big Ten. Cignetti is well aware of how important it is.
In fact, this is very likely the biggest home game in the history of Indiana. Ohio State has had this game circled on the calendar since before the year started. Cignetti acknowledged those facts and had a strong statement on what the environment will be like in Bloomington.
Curt Cignetti gasses up the Indiana fans before big showdown against Ohio State
Cignetti believes that the environment will have a big effect on the game, and he expects the fans to bring the intensity from the moment the game begins.
“Winning does a lot of good things. I think that’s what’s happened. You got an opponent coming in here that’s used to winning and winning championships — and as strong a brand as there is in America, Ohio State football for years and years and years. We’re a team that’s developing still, and I’m sure they would say the same thing about their team. It ought to be a great environment.”
Cignetti was very complimentary of Ohio State and how good the program has been over the years. He's right to do that, and he doesn't want to give the Buckeyes any bulletin board material. Eddrick Houston may have done that right after the Maryland game for IU, however.
There is no question that Cignetti is perhaps the best coach in college football. He won a national championship at a program that had lost the most games of any FBS program. However, that doesn't mean he's unbeatable. Ohio State certainly has the team to beat the Hoosiers.
Ohio State has to play near perfectly to beat Indiana
Despite having more talent, Ohio State will need to play near perfectly in order to beat the Hoosiers. That's especially true if the Buckeyes have an issue staying healthy. The offensive line was missing two starters in the game against the Terrapins, and it showed.
Ohio State needs to have at least one of Phillip Daniels or Austin Siereveld back in the lineup in order to win this game. It's almost certain that they will have Daniels back, but Siereveld's return is still a mystery at this point. IU has a very good defensive line.
Special teams could play a big factor in this game, as well. Ohio State has some of the worst special teams in the country. Connor Hawkins showed that he might not be able to be trusted in big games, as he has missed field goals in the two biggest games the team has played this year.
Cignetti will have his team ready to go. Whether Ryan Day will have his team ready to get some revenge remains to be seen. Ohio State has played like one of the best teams in the country since the fourth quarter against Texas. The goal is to let that continue this weekend.
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