Saturday marks the start of the toughest stretch for the Ohio State Buckeyes as they take on the Defending National Champion Indiana Hoosiers at noon.
Ryan Day and his team will have revenge on their minds after suffering a defeat to Curt Cignetti’s Indiana Hoosiers in the Big Ten Championship game, then going on a flawless run to win their first-ever national championship in school history.
While both teams lost a tremendous amount of talent in the NFL Draft, both found competitive ways to reload their squads and were prepared for moments like this.
A moment where blue blood meets new blood.
A moment where the stakes are high for conference supremacy and the College Football Playoff.
And we’ve got it covered on Blitz Sports media coverage.
Hoosiers Prepared for Historic Showdown vs. Ohio State
One thing is certain: Bloomington will be rocking like no other on Saturday.
Even after winning the national championship last year, Indiana is still seeking the same respect from the best teams in college football.
Before Cignetti arrived, Indiana was a perennial loser. With the growth of NIL and the transfer portal, these changes have reshaped the College Football landscape.
Since becoming the Hoosiers’ head coach, Indiana has only lost 2 games in three years.
Cignetti will have his team ready to take on Ohio State.
Buckeyes Starting the Revenge Tour
On the other side of the field is the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Buckeyes already suffered an early defeat in Austin against the Texas Longhorns.
Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith are currently the best QB-WR duo in all of college football. Ohio State lost to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship, 13-10, and then was eliminated by Miami in the quarterfinals.
This game has been on their minds all offseason, and now the wait is almost over.
With that being said, here are some game keys:
Protect Sayin From Haines
The biggest key for the Buckeyes when they have the ball is holding up Julian Sayin for what could be an exotic defensive unit under Bryant Haines.
Sayin was sacked five times against their defense the last time these two teams met.
With Austin Siereveld out, the offensive line will be tested again against the Hoosiers’ front four.
The Buckeyes do, however, get Phillip Daniels back at right tackle, so that will be a boost.
The Hoosiers will face a fury of pass rushers, including Tobi Osunsanmi and Stephen Daley, who tied for the team lead in sacks at 5.
Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith will use slides, quick games, and misdirection to throw the Hoosiers off balance.
Buckeyes Must Provide Run Game Answers
These two teams are built and forged on establishing the run game to take pressure off of the starting quarterbacks.
The Hoosiers are averaging about 221 yards per game on the ground, led by the duo of Turbo Richard and Lee Beebe Jr.
Meanwhile, the Buckeyes are averaging 165.7 yards per game on the ground. Jakobi Jackson unfortunately will not make the trip to Bloomington with an undisclosed injury. The team, however, will see Isaiah West return and will use freshman Legend Bey.
Bo Jackson became the first 100-yard rusher for the Buckeyes last Saturday against Maryland and is looking to take back the lead role in the running back room.
Somehow and someway, Ohio State will have to match the Indiana Hoosiers’ smash-mouth style to keep that explosive offense off the field.
Patricia Remediation on Defense
Matt Patricia will have his hands full Saturday taking on Josh Hoover and the Hoosiers’ offense.
The Buckeyes’ first trip failed as they allowed 21 points in the 4th quarter against Texas. Now the young defenders are gearing up for the run game and the WR duo of Charlie Becker and Michigan State transfer Nick Marsh.
Establishing the line of scrimmage will always matter, and Ohio State needs its guys to step up against theHoosiers’s offensive line. Kenyetta Jackson, Khary Wilder, Qua Russaw, and Eddrick Houston will need to take a huge step.
One thing to note is that the Buckeyes’ strength is their secondary, and it will need to hold up against the RPO and shot plays the Hoosiers will throw.
Devin Sanchez, Jermaine Matthews, and Jay Timmons must be prepared for what will be thrown their way.
Final Thoughts and Implications
The stakes surrounding this matchup extend far beyond Saturday afternoon.
Both programs enter the contest undefeated in Big Ten play, meaning the winner will gain an important advantage in the conference championship race.
This game can provide answers for both squads.
While the Hoosiers have shown their dominance with 33 wins, one thing stands out: this is not the same team that won the national championship.
Fernando Mendoza is out this year, and the question is whether Josh Hoover can replicate that.
That will be answered Saturday, but I like the Ohio-against-the-world mentality, of course.
Final Score:
Buckeyes 26
Hoosiers 23
