What the Ohio State football team should expect from Indiana

So far this season, no one has played more top-tier games than the Ohio State football team. This week will be the third time this year they've played a top-five team. It's something that doesn't happen very often, but this is the road that the Ohio State Buckeyes must go down.

Indiana is one of just two undefeated teams left in the Big Ten. They have started 10-0 for the first time in program history. They also haven't played anyone good so far. Of the teams they've beaten, only Washington currently has a winning record, sitting at 6-5.

Just because their schedule hasn't been strong doesn't mean that IU isn't good. They have an offense that can score on anyone, the Buckeyes included. They also are coming off a bye week, so that makes the Hoosiers even more of a dangerous team to take on at this stage of the season.

The Ohio State football team will get a fight from Indiana

Kurtis Rourke is no joke at quarterback. He's the guy that makes this offense go. He has 21 touchdowns to just four interceptions this season. That's a big reason why Indiana is second in the nation in scoring, putting up 43.9 points per game. Ohio State needs to play some solid defense.

Defensively, the Hoosiers are stingy too. They allow the third-fewest yards per game in the country, giving up just 255.5 yards per game. That's just behind the Buckeyes, who give up 250.8. The Hoosiers also give up the seventh-fewest points in the country.

Will Howard is going to have to be on point in this game. He has been playing some excellent football lately. A big game against the Hoosiers could give him a case to be in the Heisman discussion. He's not worried about that though. He's just worried about getting a win.

Expect IU to start out fast in this game. I think the Buckeyes struggle to separate in the first half and it wouldn't be shocking to see a tie game heading into halftime. The second half is when the Buckeyes need to be able to separate and let their talent win the day.