Ohio State has a vulnerable opponent next week when the Buckeyes travel to Bloomington to take on a barely-but-still-undefeated Indiana.
The Hoosiers nearly lost to Nebraska and offered a clear blueprint for teams that can actually finish the job.
Indiana won 20-17 in Lincoln in a very ugly game. This looked every bit the trap game I thought it'd be, but Curt Cignetti's squad showed toughness in coming back from down 17-6 in the fourth quarter.
Hoosiers quarterback Josh Hoover and receiver Nick Marsh were able to connect on a pair of touchdown passes that ultimately put this one away.
There were lessons to learn for Matt Patricia and Co. from the way Hoover and Marsh were able to strike so quickly, especially on the first touchdown, which was the very first play of the drive after the Huskers had Anthony Colandrea go for 39 yards on the ground to the house.
There were also lessons to learn from how poorly Indiana performed in the trenches before the comeback.
Nebraska defense showed OSU the blueprint to dominate Indiana
Ohio State can hope to win big in the trenches next weekend, just like Nebraska did early on in the Week 6 matchup. The Huskers' defense dominated the interior, holding the Hoosiers' robust running game to just 12 yards in the first half.
Certainly, few are calling the Buckeyes' interior defensive line their strong suit. Alabama transfer James Smith and UCF transfer John Walker have struggled mightily, while Eddrick Houston has faded in the second half against both Texas and Illinois.
What makes matters worse is that the edge rushers aren't helping much. Kenyatta Jackson Jr. still isn't reaching his highest level, while Crimson Tide transfer Qua Russaw and Beau Atkinson have actively struggled to set the edge.
Perhaps this group is due for a big game. There's absolutely no bigger game to get right than this seismic clash with the defending champions.
Especially with their struggle of keeping the chains moving against Big Red.
Ohio State's DL must hold the line for its banged-up OL
Indiana's defensive front came into the season with massive expectations. Legendary Notre Dame offensive lineman Aaron Taylor told me the Hoosiers' front could surpass last year's group that helped contribute to a national championship and an undefeated year.
Combined with how banged up Ohio State's offensive line is, with Austin Siereveld and Phillip Daniels both missing the Maryland game, it's even more important that the defensive line doesn't allow Indiana to control the clock on its home field on the other side of the ball.
The atmosphere will not favor the Buckeyes. Since the Hoosiers won in Week 6, the pressure is almost entirely on Ryan Day's football team in Week 7.
It'll be vital for the defensive line to quiet the crowd in Bloomington as much as possible by preventing big plays during the massive 2025 Big Ten Championship Game rematch/potential 2026 Big Ten Championship Game preview.
Again, that's extra true in the wake of Nebraska proving how vulnerable Indiana's offensive line can be.
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