2009 Indiana Hoosiers Game Preview
written by: BB73, Buckeyeskickbuttocks, Bucklion, Bucky Katt, DaddyBigBucks, JCOSU86, and jwinslow
Preface
Last week's win against Illinois was the 500th for the Tressel family as head coaches, second only to the Bowdens.
Bowden Family Head Coaching Wins at Colleges (as of 10-01-09)
384 - Bobby (at Samford (known as Howard until '65), West Virginia, and Florida State)
093 - Terry (at Samford and Auburn)
090 - Tommy (at Tulane and Clemson)
567 - Total
Tressel Family Head Coaching Wins at Colleges (as of 10-01-09)
155 - Lee (at Baldwin-Wallace)
221 - Jim (at Youngstown State and Ohio State)
124 - Dick (at Hamline Univ. in MN)
500 - Total
Looking forward to this week's matchup with the Hoosiers, Ohio State leads the all-time series with Indiana 65-12-5 and has a 42-10-4 edge when the two teams play in Columbus. The two teams did not play in 2007 or 2008 due to the Big Ten schedule rotation.
The Buckeyes have won 14 straight from the Hoosiers since a 41-7 loss in 1988 in Bloomington that represents the most lopsided setback for Ohio State in the 108-year-old series (first played in 1901). The Buckeyes have put together several winning streaks during the series, the longest of which was a 23-game stretch between 1960 and 1986.
Head coach Bill Lynch is in his third season with Indiana. In his first season in 2007, Lynch led the Hoosiers to a 7-6 record and a trip to the Insight Bowl. He is the only head coach in Hoosier history to guide a team to a bowl game in his debut season.
Ohio State is now 6-3 at home (26-13 away from home) in night games (games starting 5 p.m. or later local time) since 1959 and 32-16 in night games all-time. Under Coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are 14-10 in night games and 7-3 in Big Ten night games away from Ohio Stadium.
Since joining the Big Ten Conference in 1913, Ohio State is 60-32-5 in conference road openers. Ohio State is 195-77-10 (.709) all-time in Big Ten road games, with a 28-8 mark since 2000. Under Coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are 25-7 (.781) in Big Ten road games overall, and 5-3 in conference road openers.
Big Ten Road Openers Under Jim Tressel
2001: Ohio State 27, at Indiana 14
2002: Ohio State 27, at Northwestern 16
2003: at Wisconsin 17, Ohio State 10
2004: at Northwestern 33, Ohio State 27 (OT)
2005: at Penn State 17, Ohio State 10
2006: Ohio State 38, at Iowa 17
2007: Ohio State 30, at Minnesota 7
2008: Ohio State 20, at Wisconsin 17
The back-to-back shutouts of Toledo and Illinois were the first time since 1996 that the Buckeye defense recorded consecutive shutouts. In 1996, Ohio State whitewashed Minnesota (45-0 at home) and Illinois (48-0 at Illinois) in November of that season. The last time Ohio State had two shutouts in a season was 1998, also against Toledo (49-0) and Illinois (41-0). The 1973 and 1977 Ohio State squads each recorded four shutouts, a season record since WWII. The 1973 squad was the last Buckeye team with 3 straight shutouts.
Getting a third straight shutout will be difficult. Indiana hasn't been shutout since October of 2000, at TSUN. Indiana shut tOSU out in Columbus shortly after the last time the White Sox were in the World Series. That was a scoreless tie in November, 1959, which was the last scoreless tie that tOSU played in.
Indiana has finished in the top-10 nationally just once since 1945. That was in 1967, the only time they've ever gone to the Rose Bowl. They were coached by John Pont, who had played halfback at Miami, OH under Woody Hayes in 1949-50.
They beat tOSU back-to-back in 1987 and 1988, and ended up in the top 20 of the Coaches' Poll both of those years. Of course, these are the only two times they've defeated the Buckeyes since 1951, which was Woody's first year as head coach.
Their last Bowl win was a shutout, and it occurred in the 1990's. This was a thrilling 24-0 Copper Bowl win over Baylor in 1991.
Indiana has a winning record all-time against the SEC, which is the only conference tOSU has a losing record against. Take out all the games against Kentucky and Vanderbilt, and they still have a winning record against the rest of the SEC teams, including a 1-0 mark against Florida - a game played in 1916.
Lee Corso had a 41-68-2 (.378) record as head coach of the Hoosiers from 1973 to 1982. He likes to tell the story about the time he took a picture of the scoreboard when Indiana had a brief early lead against one of Woody's teams.
The last time tOSU traveled to Bloomington, they had a 1-5 record in their previous six Big-10 road games. In that 2005 game, Ted Ginn, Jr. had a kickoff return called back for a penalty well behind the play as he was approaching the goal line; later in the game he did score on a punt retun TD. That game started a winning streak in Big Ten road games that has reached 15, the highest ever mark for Ohio State.
That current streak of 15 consecutive Big Ten road victories is the second highest mark in league history. The last road loss in conference play was the rainy 17-10 decision at Happy Valley back in 2005. And if the Buckeyes are able to win at Indiana and Purdue this month, they'll have a chance to break the record in the revenge game at Penn State which will take place in early November.
Here is each team's best string of conference road victories:
TSUN:
17 - 1988-92, it ended with the 13-13 game which was, according to E. Gordon Gee, the "greatest victory"
10 - 1945-48
09 - 1929-33
08 - 1996-98
07 - 1971-72, 1973-74, 1977-79, and 1981-82
384 - Bobby (at Samford (known as Howard until '65), West Virginia, and Florida State)
093 - Terry (at Samford and Auburn)
090 - Tommy (at Tulane and Clemson)
567 - Total
Tressel Family Head Coaching Wins at Colleges (as of 10-01-09)
155 - Lee (at Baldwin-Wallace)
221 - Jim (at Youngstown State and Ohio State)
124 - Dick (at Hamline Univ. in MN)
500 - Total
Looking forward to this week's matchup with the Hoosiers, Ohio State leads the all-time series with Indiana 65-12-5 and has a 42-10-4 edge when the two teams play in Columbus. The two teams did not play in 2007 or 2008 due to the Big Ten schedule rotation.
The Buckeyes have won 14 straight from the Hoosiers since a 41-7 loss in 1988 in Bloomington that represents the most lopsided setback for Ohio State in the 108-year-old series (first played in 1901). The Buckeyes have put together several winning streaks during the series, the longest of which was a 23-game stretch between 1960 and 1986.
Head coach Bill Lynch is in his third season with Indiana. In his first season in 2007, Lynch led the Hoosiers to a 7-6 record and a trip to the Insight Bowl. He is the only head coach in Hoosier history to guide a team to a bowl game in his debut season.
Ohio State is now 6-3 at home (26-13 away from home) in night games (games starting 5 p.m. or later local time) since 1959 and 32-16 in night games all-time. Under Coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are 14-10 in night games and 7-3 in Big Ten night games away from Ohio Stadium.
Since joining the Big Ten Conference in 1913, Ohio State is 60-32-5 in conference road openers. Ohio State is 195-77-10 (.709) all-time in Big Ten road games, with a 28-8 mark since 2000. Under Coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are 25-7 (.781) in Big Ten road games overall, and 5-3 in conference road openers.
Big Ten Road Openers Under Jim Tressel
2001: Ohio State 27, at Indiana 14
2002: Ohio State 27, at Northwestern 16
2003: at Wisconsin 17, Ohio State 10
2004: at Northwestern 33, Ohio State 27 (OT)
2005: at Penn State 17, Ohio State 10
2006: Ohio State 38, at Iowa 17
2007: Ohio State 30, at Minnesota 7
2008: Ohio State 20, at Wisconsin 17
The back-to-back shutouts of Toledo and Illinois were the first time since 1996 that the Buckeye defense recorded consecutive shutouts. In 1996, Ohio State whitewashed Minnesota (45-0 at home) and Illinois (48-0 at Illinois) in November of that season. The last time Ohio State had two shutouts in a season was 1998, also against Toledo (49-0) and Illinois (41-0). The 1973 and 1977 Ohio State squads each recorded four shutouts, a season record since WWII. The 1973 squad was the last Buckeye team with 3 straight shutouts.
Getting a third straight shutout will be difficult. Indiana hasn't been shutout since October of 2000, at TSUN. Indiana shut tOSU out in Columbus shortly after the last time the White Sox were in the World Series. That was a scoreless tie in November, 1959, which was the last scoreless tie that tOSU played in.
Indiana has finished in the top-10 nationally just once since 1945. That was in 1967, the only time they've ever gone to the Rose Bowl. They were coached by John Pont, who had played halfback at Miami, OH under Woody Hayes in 1949-50.
They beat tOSU back-to-back in 1987 and 1988, and ended up in the top 20 of the Coaches' Poll both of those years. Of course, these are the only two times they've defeated the Buckeyes since 1951, which was Woody's first year as head coach.
Their last Bowl win was a shutout, and it occurred in the 1990's. This was a thrilling 24-0 Copper Bowl win over Baylor in 1991.
Indiana has a winning record all-time against the SEC, which is the only conference tOSU has a losing record against. Take out all the games against Kentucky and Vanderbilt, and they still have a winning record against the rest of the SEC teams, including a 1-0 mark against Florida - a game played in 1916.
Lee Corso had a 41-68-2 (.378) record as head coach of the Hoosiers from 1973 to 1982. He likes to tell the story about the time he took a picture of the scoreboard when Indiana had a brief early lead against one of Woody's teams.
The last time tOSU traveled to Bloomington, they had a 1-5 record in their previous six Big-10 road games. In that 2005 game, Ted Ginn, Jr. had a kickoff return called back for a penalty well behind the play as he was approaching the goal line; later in the game he did score on a punt retun TD. That game started a winning streak in Big Ten road games that has reached 15, the highest ever mark for Ohio State.
That current streak of 15 consecutive Big Ten road victories is the second highest mark in league history. The last road loss in conference play was the rainy 17-10 decision at Happy Valley back in 2005. And if the Buckeyes are able to win at Indiana and Purdue this month, they'll have a chance to break the record in the revenge game at Penn State which will take place in early November.
Here is each team's best string of conference road victories:
TSUN:
17 - 1988-92, it ended with the 13-13 game which was, according to E. Gordon Gee, the "greatest victory"
10 - 1945-48
09 - 1929-33
08 - 1996-98
07 - 1971-72, 1973-74, 1977-79, and 1981-82
tOSU:
15 - 2005-current
12 - 1974-77 (including the 21-14 win at AA in '75)
09 - 1966-69 (ending in 24-12), and 1978-80
07 - 1954-56
07 - 1970-71
Mich St:
08 - 1965-67 (National Championship Bubba Smith/George Webster years)
08 - 1988-90
Penn St:
08 - 1993-95 (1994 was JoePa's last perfect season, but they finshed #2 to Nebraska, pre-BCS)
Illinois:
08 - 1918-20 (National Championship in 1919, with a 9-7 win on a FG with 8 seconds left over tOSU and Chic Harley in season finale)
06 - 1982-83
06 - 1989-90
Minnesota:
07 - 1960-62 (National Championship in 1960)
05 - 1940-41 (National Champions both years)
Northwestern:
07 - 1929-31
06 - 1995-96 (didn't play tOSU)
Purdue:
07 - 1933-35
06 - 1943-44 (including a win over tOSU in Cleveland)
06 - 1979-80
Iowa:
06 - 1921-23
05 - 1956-67
05 - 1995-96
05 - 2001-02 (tied tOSU at 8-0 in 2002)
Wisconsin:
06 - 1906-08
Chicago (member until 1939):
05 - 1905-08 (National Champions in 1905)
Indiana:
03 - 1945, 1946, 1967, 1968, and 1982 (not counting 1994 where an MSU forfeit gets them to 3)
The Buckeyes control their destiny to an outright Big Ten title. The teams not on tOSU's schedule this year, MSU and Northwestern, already have a conference loss.
Date and Time15 - 2005-current
12 - 1974-77 (including the 21-14 win at AA in '75)
09 - 1966-69 (ending in 24-12), and 1978-80
07 - 1954-56
07 - 1970-71
Mich St:
08 - 1965-67 (National Championship Bubba Smith/George Webster years)
08 - 1988-90
Penn St:
08 - 1993-95 (1994 was JoePa's last perfect season, but they finshed #2 to Nebraska, pre-BCS)
Illinois:
08 - 1918-20 (National Championship in 1919, with a 9-7 win on a FG with 8 seconds left over tOSU and Chic Harley in season finale)
06 - 1982-83
06 - 1989-90
Minnesota:
07 - 1960-62 (National Championship in 1960)
05 - 1940-41 (National Champions both years)
Northwestern:
07 - 1929-31
06 - 1995-96 (didn't play tOSU)
Purdue:
07 - 1933-35
06 - 1943-44 (including a win over tOSU in Cleveland)
06 - 1979-80
Iowa:
06 - 1921-23
05 - 1956-67
05 - 1995-96
05 - 2001-02 (tied tOSU at 8-0 in 2002)
Wisconsin:
06 - 1906-08
Chicago (member until 1939):
05 - 1905-08 (National Champions in 1905)
Indiana:
03 - 1945, 1946, 1967, 1968, and 1982 (not counting 1994 where an MSU forfeit gets them to 3)
The Buckeyes control their destiny to an outright Big Ten title. The teams not on tOSU's schedule this year, MSU and Northwestern, already have a conference loss.
Date: Saturday, October 3rd, 2009
Time: 7:00 pm EDT Kick-off
Location: Memorial Stadium - "The Rock" (Bloomington, IN)
Constructed: 1960 (Renovated in 2009)
Seating Capacity: 52,692 (Originally 48,000)
Playing Surface: FieldTurf (since 2008)
Time: 7:00 pm EDT Kick-off
Location: Memorial Stadium - "The Rock" (Bloomington, IN)
Constructed: 1960 (Renovated in 2009)
Seating Capacity: 52,692 (Originally 48,000)
Playing Surface: FieldTurf (since 2008)
Events:
Broadcast Information:
TV Broacast: BTN: Craig Coshun (Play-by-play), Glen Mason (Analysis), and Rebecca Haarlow (Sideline)
Radio Broadcast: Ohio State Radio Network (WBNS 97.1 and 1460TheFan in Columbus): Paul Keels (Play-by-play), Jim Lachey (Analysis), and Marty Bannister (Sideline), also on Sirius Channel 126
2009 Indiana Hoosiers Offensive PreviewBroadcast Information:
TV Broacast: BTN: Craig Coshun (Play-by-play), Glen Mason (Analysis), and Rebecca Haarlow (Sideline)
Radio Broadcast: Ohio State Radio Network (WBNS 97.1 and 1460TheFan in Columbus): Paul Keels (Play-by-play), Jim Lachey (Analysis), and Marty Bannister (Sideline), also on Sirius Channel 126
Returning starters: 6
After laying waste to the Illini, the Buckeyes next find themselves facing off against the Indiana Hoosiers, who have firmly established themselves as NOT being the Big Ten doormat of years past. Indiana is coming off of a heartbreaking loss to Michigan, made all the more gutwrenching by questionable officiating and blown opportunities to score TDs in the red zone. Despite the loss, and despite losing their leading passer, rusher, and receiver from a year ago, the Hoosiers are a strong offensive side and will pose a new set of challenges for the Buckeyes this Saturday. The Hoosiers are running a modified "pistol" offense (aggravatingly identified as the "Wildcat" repeatedly by the ESPN wonks on Saturday) and they have adapted to the new system well and have achieved some early success.
After several poor offensive showings last season, the Hoosiers are off to a much better start in 2009 and gave the Wolverines fits last week. After finishing below 70th nationally in total offense, passing offense, and scoring offense in 2008, the Hoosiers rank a respectable 46th in total offense in 2009 (398.3 YPG). They have achieved a good balance of running the football (159.3 YPG, 53rd) and throwing it out of the pistol (242.3 YPG, 53rd), and their scoring offense (28.3 PPG) comes in at T59th. They have a very respectable number of first downs (81, T38th) and have converted an OK number of 3rd downs (39.3%, 54th) as well. Clearly, the Hoosiers are better across the board this season than they have been in the previous few seasons, and there seems to be renewed energy and some stability to the Indiana attack. The Buckeyes will have to play at a high level on Saturday under the lights in a hostile environment.
Quarterbacks
QB #4 Ben Chappell (6-3, 235, JR, Bloomington South HS, Bloomington, IN)
Gone is the star-crossed Kellen Lewis era. Taking his place is local hero Chappell, who threw for 1001 yards and 4 TDs last season, with 3 starts. He has almost equaled that total this season in just 4 games, and as he makes his 8th career start, it appears that Chappell is very comfortable in this offense. He threw for 326 yards in the first game, and since then has turned in 3 solid performances, including last week's 270 yards against the Wolverines. Though he is not much of a threat on the ground, he has only taken 2 sacks, indicating he doesn't hold on to the ball for too awfully long, which will be important against the ferocious Buckeye pass rush. He has turned the ball over some (4 INTs), so the Buckeyes should look to exploit that to create some turnovers on Saturday. All in all, Chappell has played well for the most part, providing leadership and giving the Hoosiers a badly needed boost in a passing game that ranked below 90th in the nation last season.
The backup is freshman Edward Wright-Baker (#13). He is a classic dual threat QB who fits a different mold than Chappell, but the pistol offense should still be an effective scheme for him. He hasn't attempted a pass this season thus far, so he doesn't offer much in terms of game experience. Receiver and former QB Mitchell Evans (#5) has also taken 25 snaps at QB, completing 2 of 3 passes.
QB Rating: B-
Head-to-Head: Indiana versus OSU QB
Chappell: 84/130 (64.6%), 944 yards, 3 TDs, 4 INTs, 127.1 rating; 8/-8, 1 TD
Pryor: 50/87 (57.5%), 695 yards, 5 TDs, 4 INTs, 134.3 rating; 39/235, 2 TDs
Chappell is a local product who appears to be a nice fit for the Hoosiers in the starting lineup. He brings stability to the QB position and seems to understand the complicated pistol scheme with some degree of depth and precision. He has provided some badly needed help in the passing game and has distributed the ball nicely. Pryor is the team's leading passer and rusher, and is the most dangerous weapon for the Buckeyes. He has more athletic ability and makes more big plays, but he can also be prone to making some mistakes. Both players will be key for their team this weekend, but give the edge to Pryor for his ability on the ground and his penchant for hitting the deep ball against weaker secondaries.
Edge: Ohio State
Running Backs
TB #28 Darius Willis (6-0, 219, FR, Franklin Central HS, Indianapolis, IN)
TB #22 Demetrius McCray (5-11, 209, SR, Armwood HS, Brandon, FL)
The running game has seen some relative distribution among the Hoosier tailbacks, and the ground game has been effective again thus far in 2009 after finishing 42nd nationally last season. McCray provides the most experience at the position. He saw significant action in the first 3 games (double digit carries in each), highlighted by his 134 game against Western Michigan that included a TD. He currently leads the team with 229 yards and has chipped in 3 catches, though he carried it only one time against Michigan. And that's because Willis had a monster breakout game against the Wolverines in the Big Ten opener. After carrying 15 times for 66 yards against Akron, he torched the Wolverines for 152 yards and 2 scores on only 16 carries. He is a very good back with a big frame and deceptive speed, and he looks to have a very bright future for the Hoosiers. Look for him to get a sizeable amount of work out of the pistol on Saturday night.
Also getting regular carries is program veteran Trea Burgess (#21). He had 59 yards and scored a TD against Akron, though he has failed to make a big splash in any other contest. Senior Bryan Payton (#27) is a punishing runner who also gets an occasional attempt.
RB Rating: B-
Head-to-Head: Indiana versus Ohio State RBs
McCray: 43/229 yards, 1 TD, 5.3 YPC; 3 rec/9 yards, 0 TDs, 3.0 YPR
Willis: 34/221 yards, 3 TDs, 6.5 YPC; 3 rec/27 yards, 0 TDs, 9.0 YPR
Herron: 64/233 yards, 5 TDs, 3.6 YPC; 5 rec/34 yards, 0 TDs, 6.8 YPR
Saine: 32/181 yards, 0 TDs, 5.7 YPC; 7 rec/84 yards, 0 TDs, 12.0 YPR
This rating will be higher if Willis is as good as he looked last weekend for the rest of the season. He is a star in the making and could easily run roughshod over much of the rest of the Big Ten slate. McCray is valuable as a change of pace and provides quality leadership and good fundamentals. The Buckeyes have a nice tandem of their own, as Herron has shown better form the past game or so and Saine has stepped up and made the most of his opportunities. Saine has been especially valuable out of the backfield in the passing game, something Willis could also develop into. This matchup is closer than some experts might think, but the Buckeyes get the edge in talent and game experience.
Edge: Ohio State
Wide Receivers
WR #88 Damarlo Belcher (6-5, 214, SO, North Side HS, Fort Wayne, IN)
WR #1 Terrance Turner (6-3, 208, JR, West Bloomfield HS, Auburn Hills, MI)
WR #2 Tandon Doss (6-3, 199, SO, Ben Davis HS, Indianapolis, IN)
The Hoosiers run quite a bit of talent out onto the field at the receiver position. The most versatile appears to be Doss, who after limited duty last season has burst onto the scene to lead the team in receiving overall and in each game thus far. He showed off all of his talents against Michigan, catching 5 passes for 104 yards and adding 41 yards and a score on the ground in only 3 carries. He also had 8 catches for 125 yards against Eastern Kentucky, 6 for 85 against Western Michigan, and 7 for 60 against Akron, so he has been a focal point of the passing attack since the opening whistle. Belcher is another young player who appears to have a bright future. He is a bigger target who can create matchup problems and is a danger in the red zone. He had a big opener, catching 6 passes for 97 yards and a TD, and has been a steady contributor since, catching 13 passes in the past 3 games. Turner is the veteran of the group and has also been a regular contributor, catching 5 passes for 48 yards last weekend.
The primary backup is junior Mitchell Evans (#5). He has played WR, QB, and safety at Indiana in his career, and has lined up at QB this season as well as catching 10 passes for 116 yards and a score. He also has 8 carries for 36 yards, so he can do a little of everything. Sophomore Max Dedmond (#41) is a WR/TE hybrid who splits out wide quite a bit and has caught 8 passes thus far. Matt Ernest (#15) rounds out the primary depth chart with 1 catch on the season.
WR Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Indiana versus Ohio State WRs
Doss: 26 catches, 374 yards, 0 TDs, 14.4 YPR
Belcher: 19 catches, 222 yards, 1 TD, 11.7 YPR
Turner: 10 catches, 135 yards, 0 TDs, 9.6 YPR
Sanzenbacher: 12 catches, 277 yards, 4 TDs, 27.1 YPR
Posey: 15 catches, 163 yards, 1 TD, 10.9 YPR
Carter: 5 catches, 42 yards, 0 TDs, 8.4 YPR
Doss appears to be a potent weapon with superstar potential. He will be a handful for the Buckeye secondary and will likely be a focal point in the offense. Belcher and Turner are nice complementary players who can create difficulty in matchups and across zones when the focus is on Doss. The Buckeyes also have a highly potent weapon in Sanzenbacher, along with a nice second receiver in Posey. That tandem has looked very impressive this season, and along with Carter, is forming a nice nucleus for the Buckeyes. There's quite a bit of talent here on both sides, and with the multi-dimensional threats of Evans and Dedmond, the Hoosiers can hold their own here overall.
Edge: Even
Tight Ends
TE #87 Troy Wagner (6-5, 260, SR, O'Fallon Township HS, O'Fallon, IL)
Wagner is a fine blocker who started 5 games a season ago. He is a bruiser who is limited in the passing game but is critical for the pistol. Sophomore Max Dedmond (#41) is a WR/TE hybrid who is more of a receiving threat. He has 8 catches for 60 yards and a TD thus far. Senior Brian Zematis (#89) is a former DE who has also made 2 starts this year.
TE Rating: B-
Head-to-Head: Indiana versus Ohio State TEs
Wagner: 1 catch, 3 yards, 0 TDs, 3.0 YPR
Ballard: 5 catches, 61 yards, 0 TDs, 12.2 YPR
Wagner is a almost entirely a blocker, and a very good one. Dedmond acts as a receiving TE who splits out wide quite a bit in the mold of a Dallas Clark. Ballard is a solid player in both the blocking and receiving aspects, so call this one even.
Edge: Even
Offensive Line
LT #76 Roger Saffold (6-5, 318, SR, Bedford HS, Bedford, OH)
LG #70 Justin Pagan (6-5, 311, SO, St. Patrick HS, Chicago, IL)
C #60 Will Matte (6-2, 285, FR, Wheaton-Warrenville South HS, Wheaton, IL)
RG #64 Pete Saxon (6-6, 293, SR, Jonathan Alder HS, Plain City, OH)
RT #73 James Brewer (6-8, 331, JR, Arlington HS, Indianapolis, IN)
The line offers a wealth of physicality and veteran leadership, including 2 of Indiana's most experienced players. At LT, Saffold is in his 4th year as a starter and has made 33 career starts. He's a big punishing tackle who is equally adept at protecting the QB and clearing the wing for the running game. At RG, Saxon has started 32 games, mostly at LG and C in previous years. He is an agile and versatile lineman who can play anywhere on the interior and is adept at blocking in the running game. Pagan is another physical and versatile lineman who can play guard and tackle. Matte never played center until he arrived at Indiana but has settled into the middle very well in his first year of active play. On the right side, Brewer is a physical monster who is also a first year starter. Overall, the line has a variety of versatile players, and offers more physical play that the Hoosiers have had in years past. They seem to be gelling very well as a unit and have been very successful protecting the QB (2 sacks of Chappell) and opening up the running game in 2009.
The backups also offer some experience. Junior Cody Faulkner (#79) started 11 games last season at right guard and senior Mike Reiter (#59) also has starting experience at tackle, guard, and center. Combined with freshman Marc Damisch (#65), who started the opener, these players give the Hoosiers enviable depth along the interior of the line. Younger players (#72 Andrew McDonald and #77 Josh Hager) man the tackle spots.
OL Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Indiana versus Ohio State OL
The Hoosiers have been a much better offense in 2009, and that all starts with quality line play. The line features 2 of Indiana's most experienced players as well as some younger players who are developing quickly and adapting well to the new offensive scheme. Indiana looks to be well stocked with physical linemen and well placed for several years of solid line play. They do not have the talent of the Buckeyes, but they are a scrappy bunch who should give the front 7 a stiff test Saturday.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Offensive Analysis
After a terrible year last season, the Hoosiers appear to be a respectable offense in 2009. They gave Michigan all they wanted and then some last weekend, forcing the Wolverines to come from behind multiple times. Their one big weakness from that game as the inability to convert red zone opportunities into TDs, something they will not be able to do again against the Buckeyes or they will suffer a similar fate because it is likely they will get less opportunities overall. The Hoosiers have a diverse and complex offense that seems to be running very smoothly for the most part. Though they are a year or two away from being a really potent attack, the Buckeyes will have plenty to think about Saturday night.
Overall Offensive Rating: B-
2009 Indiana Hoosiers Defensive PreviewAfter several poor offensive showings last season, the Hoosiers are off to a much better start in 2009 and gave the Wolverines fits last week. After finishing below 70th nationally in total offense, passing offense, and scoring offense in 2008, the Hoosiers rank a respectable 46th in total offense in 2009 (398.3 YPG). They have achieved a good balance of running the football (159.3 YPG, 53rd) and throwing it out of the pistol (242.3 YPG, 53rd), and their scoring offense (28.3 PPG) comes in at T59th. They have a very respectable number of first downs (81, T38th) and have converted an OK number of 3rd downs (39.3%, 54th) as well. Clearly, the Hoosiers are better across the board this season than they have been in the previous few seasons, and there seems to be renewed energy and some stability to the Indiana attack. The Buckeyes will have to play at a high level on Saturday under the lights in a hostile environment.
Quarterbacks
QB #4 Ben Chappell (6-3, 235, JR, Bloomington South HS, Bloomington, IN)
Gone is the star-crossed Kellen Lewis era. Taking his place is local hero Chappell, who threw for 1001 yards and 4 TDs last season, with 3 starts. He has almost equaled that total this season in just 4 games, and as he makes his 8th career start, it appears that Chappell is very comfortable in this offense. He threw for 326 yards in the first game, and since then has turned in 3 solid performances, including last week's 270 yards against the Wolverines. Though he is not much of a threat on the ground, he has only taken 2 sacks, indicating he doesn't hold on to the ball for too awfully long, which will be important against the ferocious Buckeye pass rush. He has turned the ball over some (4 INTs), so the Buckeyes should look to exploit that to create some turnovers on Saturday. All in all, Chappell has played well for the most part, providing leadership and giving the Hoosiers a badly needed boost in a passing game that ranked below 90th in the nation last season.
The backup is freshman Edward Wright-Baker (#13). He is a classic dual threat QB who fits a different mold than Chappell, but the pistol offense should still be an effective scheme for him. He hasn't attempted a pass this season thus far, so he doesn't offer much in terms of game experience. Receiver and former QB Mitchell Evans (#5) has also taken 25 snaps at QB, completing 2 of 3 passes.
QB Rating: B-
Head-to-Head: Indiana versus OSU QB
Chappell: 84/130 (64.6%), 944 yards, 3 TDs, 4 INTs, 127.1 rating; 8/-8, 1 TD
Pryor: 50/87 (57.5%), 695 yards, 5 TDs, 4 INTs, 134.3 rating; 39/235, 2 TDs
Chappell is a local product who appears to be a nice fit for the Hoosiers in the starting lineup. He brings stability to the QB position and seems to understand the complicated pistol scheme with some degree of depth and precision. He has provided some badly needed help in the passing game and has distributed the ball nicely. Pryor is the team's leading passer and rusher, and is the most dangerous weapon for the Buckeyes. He has more athletic ability and makes more big plays, but he can also be prone to making some mistakes. Both players will be key for their team this weekend, but give the edge to Pryor for his ability on the ground and his penchant for hitting the deep ball against weaker secondaries.
Edge: Ohio State
Running Backs
TB #28 Darius Willis (6-0, 219, FR, Franklin Central HS, Indianapolis, IN)
TB #22 Demetrius McCray (5-11, 209, SR, Armwood HS, Brandon, FL)
The running game has seen some relative distribution among the Hoosier tailbacks, and the ground game has been effective again thus far in 2009 after finishing 42nd nationally last season. McCray provides the most experience at the position. He saw significant action in the first 3 games (double digit carries in each), highlighted by his 134 game against Western Michigan that included a TD. He currently leads the team with 229 yards and has chipped in 3 catches, though he carried it only one time against Michigan. And that's because Willis had a monster breakout game against the Wolverines in the Big Ten opener. After carrying 15 times for 66 yards against Akron, he torched the Wolverines for 152 yards and 2 scores on only 16 carries. He is a very good back with a big frame and deceptive speed, and he looks to have a very bright future for the Hoosiers. Look for him to get a sizeable amount of work out of the pistol on Saturday night.
Also getting regular carries is program veteran Trea Burgess (#21). He had 59 yards and scored a TD against Akron, though he has failed to make a big splash in any other contest. Senior Bryan Payton (#27) is a punishing runner who also gets an occasional attempt.
RB Rating: B-
Head-to-Head: Indiana versus Ohio State RBs
McCray: 43/229 yards, 1 TD, 5.3 YPC; 3 rec/9 yards, 0 TDs, 3.0 YPR
Willis: 34/221 yards, 3 TDs, 6.5 YPC; 3 rec/27 yards, 0 TDs, 9.0 YPR
Herron: 64/233 yards, 5 TDs, 3.6 YPC; 5 rec/34 yards, 0 TDs, 6.8 YPR
Saine: 32/181 yards, 0 TDs, 5.7 YPC; 7 rec/84 yards, 0 TDs, 12.0 YPR
This rating will be higher if Willis is as good as he looked last weekend for the rest of the season. He is a star in the making and could easily run roughshod over much of the rest of the Big Ten slate. McCray is valuable as a change of pace and provides quality leadership and good fundamentals. The Buckeyes have a nice tandem of their own, as Herron has shown better form the past game or so and Saine has stepped up and made the most of his opportunities. Saine has been especially valuable out of the backfield in the passing game, something Willis could also develop into. This matchup is closer than some experts might think, but the Buckeyes get the edge in talent and game experience.
Edge: Ohio State
Wide Receivers
WR #88 Damarlo Belcher (6-5, 214, SO, North Side HS, Fort Wayne, IN)
WR #1 Terrance Turner (6-3, 208, JR, West Bloomfield HS, Auburn Hills, MI)
WR #2 Tandon Doss (6-3, 199, SO, Ben Davis HS, Indianapolis, IN)
The Hoosiers run quite a bit of talent out onto the field at the receiver position. The most versatile appears to be Doss, who after limited duty last season has burst onto the scene to lead the team in receiving overall and in each game thus far. He showed off all of his talents against Michigan, catching 5 passes for 104 yards and adding 41 yards and a score on the ground in only 3 carries. He also had 8 catches for 125 yards against Eastern Kentucky, 6 for 85 against Western Michigan, and 7 for 60 against Akron, so he has been a focal point of the passing attack since the opening whistle. Belcher is another young player who appears to have a bright future. He is a bigger target who can create matchup problems and is a danger in the red zone. He had a big opener, catching 6 passes for 97 yards and a TD, and has been a steady contributor since, catching 13 passes in the past 3 games. Turner is the veteran of the group and has also been a regular contributor, catching 5 passes for 48 yards last weekend.
The primary backup is junior Mitchell Evans (#5). He has played WR, QB, and safety at Indiana in his career, and has lined up at QB this season as well as catching 10 passes for 116 yards and a score. He also has 8 carries for 36 yards, so he can do a little of everything. Sophomore Max Dedmond (#41) is a WR/TE hybrid who splits out wide quite a bit and has caught 8 passes thus far. Matt Ernest (#15) rounds out the primary depth chart with 1 catch on the season.
WR Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Indiana versus Ohio State WRs
Doss: 26 catches, 374 yards, 0 TDs, 14.4 YPR
Belcher: 19 catches, 222 yards, 1 TD, 11.7 YPR
Turner: 10 catches, 135 yards, 0 TDs, 9.6 YPR
Sanzenbacher: 12 catches, 277 yards, 4 TDs, 27.1 YPR
Posey: 15 catches, 163 yards, 1 TD, 10.9 YPR
Carter: 5 catches, 42 yards, 0 TDs, 8.4 YPR
Doss appears to be a potent weapon with superstar potential. He will be a handful for the Buckeye secondary and will likely be a focal point in the offense. Belcher and Turner are nice complementary players who can create difficulty in matchups and across zones when the focus is on Doss. The Buckeyes also have a highly potent weapon in Sanzenbacher, along with a nice second receiver in Posey. That tandem has looked very impressive this season, and along with Carter, is forming a nice nucleus for the Buckeyes. There's quite a bit of talent here on both sides, and with the multi-dimensional threats of Evans and Dedmond, the Hoosiers can hold their own here overall.
Edge: Even
Tight Ends
TE #87 Troy Wagner (6-5, 260, SR, O'Fallon Township HS, O'Fallon, IL)
Wagner is a fine blocker who started 5 games a season ago. He is a bruiser who is limited in the passing game but is critical for the pistol. Sophomore Max Dedmond (#41) is a WR/TE hybrid who is more of a receiving threat. He has 8 catches for 60 yards and a TD thus far. Senior Brian Zematis (#89) is a former DE who has also made 2 starts this year.
TE Rating: B-
Head-to-Head: Indiana versus Ohio State TEs
Wagner: 1 catch, 3 yards, 0 TDs, 3.0 YPR
Ballard: 5 catches, 61 yards, 0 TDs, 12.2 YPR
Wagner is a almost entirely a blocker, and a very good one. Dedmond acts as a receiving TE who splits out wide quite a bit in the mold of a Dallas Clark. Ballard is a solid player in both the blocking and receiving aspects, so call this one even.
Edge: Even
Offensive Line
LT #76 Roger Saffold (6-5, 318, SR, Bedford HS, Bedford, OH)
LG #70 Justin Pagan (6-5, 311, SO, St. Patrick HS, Chicago, IL)
C #60 Will Matte (6-2, 285, FR, Wheaton-Warrenville South HS, Wheaton, IL)
RG #64 Pete Saxon (6-6, 293, SR, Jonathan Alder HS, Plain City, OH)
RT #73 James Brewer (6-8, 331, JR, Arlington HS, Indianapolis, IN)
The line offers a wealth of physicality and veteran leadership, including 2 of Indiana's most experienced players. At LT, Saffold is in his 4th year as a starter and has made 33 career starts. He's a big punishing tackle who is equally adept at protecting the QB and clearing the wing for the running game. At RG, Saxon has started 32 games, mostly at LG and C in previous years. He is an agile and versatile lineman who can play anywhere on the interior and is adept at blocking in the running game. Pagan is another physical and versatile lineman who can play guard and tackle. Matte never played center until he arrived at Indiana but has settled into the middle very well in his first year of active play. On the right side, Brewer is a physical monster who is also a first year starter. Overall, the line has a variety of versatile players, and offers more physical play that the Hoosiers have had in years past. They seem to be gelling very well as a unit and have been very successful protecting the QB (2 sacks of Chappell) and opening up the running game in 2009.
The backups also offer some experience. Junior Cody Faulkner (#79) started 11 games last season at right guard and senior Mike Reiter (#59) also has starting experience at tackle, guard, and center. Combined with freshman Marc Damisch (#65), who started the opener, these players give the Hoosiers enviable depth along the interior of the line. Younger players (#72 Andrew McDonald and #77 Josh Hager) man the tackle spots.
OL Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Indiana versus Ohio State OL
The Hoosiers have been a much better offense in 2009, and that all starts with quality line play. The line features 2 of Indiana's most experienced players as well as some younger players who are developing quickly and adapting well to the new offensive scheme. Indiana looks to be well stocked with physical linemen and well placed for several years of solid line play. They do not have the talent of the Buckeyes, but they are a scrappy bunch who should give the front 7 a stiff test Saturday.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Offensive Analysis
After a terrible year last season, the Hoosiers appear to be a respectable offense in 2009. They gave Michigan all they wanted and then some last weekend, forcing the Wolverines to come from behind multiple times. Their one big weakness from that game as the inability to convert red zone opportunities into TDs, something they will not be able to do again against the Buckeyes or they will suffer a similar fate because it is likely they will get less opportunities overall. The Hoosiers have a diverse and complex offense that seems to be running very smoothly for the most part. Though they are a year or two away from being a really potent attack, the Buckeyes will have plenty to think about Saturday night.
Overall Offensive Rating: B-
Returning Starters: 8
Indiana has Co-Defensive Coordinators with Brian George, who also coaches the tackles, and Joe Palcic, who also coaches the secondary sharing the responsibility. The duo also served as Co-Coordinators at Miami of Ohio prior to coming to Indiana. Palcic is now in his 5th season at Indiana, all of which have been as Coordinator, while this marks his first season as secondary coach. A former linebacker, Palcic is the son of Bob Palcic, who currently coaches the UCLA offensive line, and was once an Ohio State assistant under Earle Bruce. With an emphasis on creating havoc, Palcic's defenses have performed well over the past couple season in getting to the QBs, setting a team record 42 sacks in 2007. Under his leadership the secondary has performed reasonably well thus far. George is also in his fifth season at Indiana, and like Palcic this marks his first season coaching the Tackles. A former fullback with the Ohio Bobcats, George coached the running backs at Pickerington HS before joining Miami, Ohio's staff in 1998. After two years coaching offense, George switched to the defensive side of the ball and - along with Palcic - has established a desire to establish a defense which is anchored by strong line play. The 2008 defense was injury plagued as 6 starters missed action at some point during the season. Healthy in 2009, the Hoosiers have shown continued improvement.
Stats.......|Score..|Tot.Yds..|Rush..|Pass..|INT.| Fum.|Sack.|1stD..|3rd D..|PCT...|Red Zone.|PCT.|RZ TDs.|PCT.|TOF..|
Indiana.....|.22.2..|..372.2..|.94.2.|233.0.|.5..|..5..|.11..|.74...|19-51..|37%...|.7-10....|70%.|..4-10.|40%.|28:31|
Ohio State..|.11.2..|..258.8..|.99.8.|159.0.|.6..|..3..|.11..|.60...|24-59..|41%...|.5-5.....|100%|..4-5..|80%.|28:28|
* TOF = Time on Field (Opponent's T.O.P)
The Indiana defense has performed better statistically than Ohio State in several areas, as noted above. Still, sometimes those numbers can be misleading. For example, while Indiana has had better defensive production in the red zone, lost in the raw numbers is that Ohio State hasn't faced a red-zone opportunity against in two games. The Buckeyes defense is over 110 yards per game better than the Hoosiers, though the Hoosiers are statistically better against the run. However, if the game against run-heavy Navy is removed from consideration, the Buckeyes are giving up just 71 yards per game on the ground. Indiana's pass defense has been solid, representing - statistically - the best secondary the Buckeyes will have faced since USC. That notwithstanding, Indiana has allowed far too many TDs (5 rushing and 5 passing) in its 4 games against Eastern Kentucky, Western Michigan, Akron and Michigan, while the Buckeyes have not allowed a score in 8 quarters, and have only allowed 3 scores (2 TDs and a FG) in 12. Of those scores, one of the TDs was a 4 play 2-yard drive by USC. Caveats aside, Indiana's defense is probably a little better than you'd otherwise anticipate, though there should still be plenty of space available for Ohio State to take advantage.
Defensive Line
DE #92 Greg Middleton (6-3, 284, Sr.)
NT #98 Adam Replogle (6-3, 282, Fr.)
DT #97 Larry Black Jr. (6-2, 306, Fr.)
DE #57 Jammie Kirlew (6-3, 259, Sr.)
The line is lead by Kirlew, a Hendricks finalist from 2008, and also the team's MVP. Quick off the ball, Kirlew recorded 10.5 sacks last year while teams focused on Middleton who had had a breakout campaign in 2007. Kirlew has 18 Tackles, 8.5 for loss with 2.5 sacks, to go along with 2 fumble recoveries thus far in 2009. On the other end is Middleton, a disruptive presence who lead the nation in sacks in 2007 with 16. As teams focused on him in 2008 his production dropped off some, but he still will likely find himself on an NFL roster this time next year. He has 15 tackles, 5.5 for loss with a team-leading 3 sacks in 2009. The ends are both seniors, but the middle is quite young with both starters being of freshman eligibility. Replogle is the brother of starting SLB Tyler Replogle and represented Ohio in the 2008 Big 33 game against Pennsylvania. Big and quick, it is hoped he develops into a serious inside presence over the course of his career. He has 9 tackles in his first season in Bloomington. Also a freshman is the 306 pound Larry Black, Jr. With the type of body that lends itself to plugging up the middle, Black has also demonstrated the ability to get into the backfield as he has 5 TFLs already in 2009, to go along with 10 tackles and a sack.
Reserves include Ends; #44 Darius Johnson (6-0, 249, So.), #55 Deonte Mack (6-3, 286, Jr.) and Tackles, #52 Jarrod Smith (6-4, 301, Jr.), #75 Nick Sliger (6-3, 295, Fr.), #69 Mick Mentzer (6-4, 308, Fr.). Johnson is the heir apparent at one of the end positions and has 8 tackles with a sack this season, while Mack returns from off season hip surgery after a solid 2008. He has 1 tackle this season. Smith, Slinger and Mentzer complete the rotation; Smith has 1 tackle, Slinger 2, with one for loss, while Mentzer leads the reserves with 4 tackles.
DL Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Indiana versus OSU DL
The Indiana D-Line is a solid group which puts an emphasis on getting into opposing backfields and causing havoc. While young up the gut, the ends have plenty of experience and the line is productive. Ohio State's line continues to play like one of the nation's premier units, while rotating in young guys like Garrett Goebel and Johnny Simon without missing a beat. The Indiana line has not gone against particularly impressive O-Lines this season, and an improving Ohio State O-Line may represent their toughest test this young season. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes performed quite well against a USC O-line which may be one of the best in the nation, and have continued to improve while dominating less talented lines in Toledo and Illinois. The Hoosiers are certainly better up front than one's gut instinct would suggest, but they're not quite at the same level as Ohio State.
Edge: Ohio State
Linebackers
SLB #46 Tyler Replogle (6-2, 236, Jr.)
MLB #43 Matt Mayberry (6-2, 237, Sr.)
WLB #34 Will Patterson (6-1, 237, Sr.)
The linebacking corps are lead by Mayberry, the team's leading tackler from a season ago. Once more safety sized, he's added quite a bit of bulk over the last few years while remaining athletic. He leads the Hoosiers with 26 stops, 3.5 for loss with a sack and a half. On the strong side, Replogle has now fully recovered from a torn ACL two seasons ago. With a good knowledge of each of the three positions, Replogle is versatile and talented. He has 24 tackles, 2.5 for loss with a sack and a pick. The weak side is once again manned by Patterson who returns from a knee injury last season after he made 55 tackles. Not the best against the run, he is solid in coverage and is able to get in to the backfield when asked to blitz. He has 22 Tackles, 1.5 for loss and a sack.
Backup linebackers are #25 Justin Carrington (6-0, 224, Sr.), #48 Leon Beckum (5-11, 224, So.), and #42 Chad Sherer (6-0, 217, Fr.). Carrington came to Indiana as a running back and may be the team's best open field tackler. In 2009 he has 6 stops and a fumble recovery. Beckum and Sherer are young but have each seen action in 2009 with Beckum recording 4 tackles and Sherer 2.
LB Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Indiana versus OSU LBs
The Indiana LBs are a good, solid unit that like to fly around and makes tackles. The starting three are 1-2-3 on the team in tackles, doing well against the run, which was a concern coming in to 2009. The Buckeyes corps, lead by Brian Rolle's 33 tackles, have quickly established themselves as a talented group. With excellent depth waiting in the wings the Buckeyes can rotate freely without much drop in production, whereas the upperclassman heavy Hoosiers can ill afford an injury. The Buckeyes get the edge here.
Edge: Ohio State
Secondary
CB #7 Ray Fisher (5-9, 185, Sr.)
SS #20 Austin Thomas (6-2, 220, Sr.)
FS #8 Nick Polk (6-0, 219, Sr.)
CB #6 Richard Council (6-1, 197, Jr.)
After being the Hoosier's leading WR in 2008, Fisher is now expected to provide the secondary with something approaching a lock-down corner. A tad small at 5-9, Fisher may have problems against bigger wide-outs, but he's got good speed and played corner in high school. He has 18 stops in 2009. The other corner is Council, who started 7 games last year, leading the team with 9 pass break-ups, before an ankle injury ended his year early. At 6-1 he can match up with bigger wide outs. He has 12 tackles with half for loss. The middle is manned with two seniors in Thomas and Polk. Thomas was off to a great start in 2008 before an ACL injury ended his year after leading the team in tackles the year prior. A big hitter, he has made improvements in coverage and has 2 INTs this season which leads the Hoosiers. He also has made 14 tackles. Polk is also a former wide receiver who has made improvements steadily since moving over, but has also struggled with injury as well - including an ACL injury which cut short his 2008. He has 19 stops, best for all secondary players, and 2 TFLs this season.
Reserves include Corners, #22 Andre LaGrone (6-0, 181, So.), #10 Donnell Jones (5-10, 207, So.),and Safeties, #29 Chris Adkins (6-1, 187, So.), #14 Jerimy Finch (6-1, 216, Jr.). Jones is a talented prospect who had a solid freshman campaign. Speedy and able to deliver the big hit, he has 7 tackles this season. LaGrone has 2 tackles in 4 games this season. Adkins was a starter all of last season at corner, though not particularly well suited for the position. Now at safety, he should take over smoothly after Polk departs. He has 11 stops in 2009. Finch has not yet recorded any statistics but has played in each of Indiana's 4 games.
DB Rating: C
Head-to-Head: Indiana versus OSU DBs
Indiana's secondary has played reasonably well thus far in 2009, giving up just 233 per game through the air, although it hasn't been against the strongest competition. This unit is helped out by a disruptive front 7, but QBs with time can pick them apart. Indiana has good depth, though any injuries would likely see a drop-off in terms of production. Ohio State's secondary is coming off a game in which it held Illinois to 88 passing yards, though passing conditions were not ideal, a week after limiting a high octane Toledo well below their average, and all but shutting USC down. Ohio State will also be without the services of Kurt Coleman who will be serving a 1 game suspension for a late hit he delivered late in the Illinois game. Despite the loss of Coleman, the Buckeyes enjoy excellent depth in the secondary and should be just fine without him.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Defensive Analysis
Indiana fields an aggressive defense which is probably a little better than you remember from the last time Ohio State and Indiana met on the gridiron. With an emphasis on getting into opposing backfields, the Hoosiers find themselves on the top side of the Big Ten rankings. Still, the Hoosiers have not played a particularly impressive schedule and yield way too many points to be considered among the elite. Expect the Hoosiers to get occasional pressure on Pryor, even with Ohio State's improved line play, as they try to force him in to beating them with his arm. The fact that Pryor is mobile will help, as the secondary can only cover for so long before breakdowns occur. If the Buckeyes are able to establish the ability to run the football, however, Indiana could be in for a long day.
Overall Defensive Rating: B-
2009 Indiana Hoosiers Special Teams PreviewStats.......|Score..|Tot.Yds..|Rush..|Pass..|INT.| Fum.|Sack.|1stD..|3rd D..|PCT...|Red Zone.|PCT.|RZ TDs.|PCT.|TOF..|
Indiana.....|.22.2..|..372.2..|.94.2.|233.0.|.5..|..5..|.11..|.74...|19-51..|37%...|.7-10....|70%.|..4-10.|40%.|28:31|
Ohio State..|.11.2..|..258.8..|.99.8.|159.0.|.6..|..3..|.11..|.60...|24-59..|41%...|.5-5.....|100%|..4-5..|80%.|28:28|
* TOF = Time on Field (Opponent's T.O.P)
The Indiana defense has performed better statistically than Ohio State in several areas, as noted above. Still, sometimes those numbers can be misleading. For example, while Indiana has had better defensive production in the red zone, lost in the raw numbers is that Ohio State hasn't faced a red-zone opportunity against in two games. The Buckeyes defense is over 110 yards per game better than the Hoosiers, though the Hoosiers are statistically better against the run. However, if the game against run-heavy Navy is removed from consideration, the Buckeyes are giving up just 71 yards per game on the ground. Indiana's pass defense has been solid, representing - statistically - the best secondary the Buckeyes will have faced since USC. That notwithstanding, Indiana has allowed far too many TDs (5 rushing and 5 passing) in its 4 games against Eastern Kentucky, Western Michigan, Akron and Michigan, while the Buckeyes have not allowed a score in 8 quarters, and have only allowed 3 scores (2 TDs and a FG) in 12. Of those scores, one of the TDs was a 4 play 2-yard drive by USC. Caveats aside, Indiana's defense is probably a little better than you'd otherwise anticipate, though there should still be plenty of space available for Ohio State to take advantage.
Defensive Line
DE #92 Greg Middleton (6-3, 284, Sr.)
NT #98 Adam Replogle (6-3, 282, Fr.)
DT #97 Larry Black Jr. (6-2, 306, Fr.)
DE #57 Jammie Kirlew (6-3, 259, Sr.)
The line is lead by Kirlew, a Hendricks finalist from 2008, and also the team's MVP. Quick off the ball, Kirlew recorded 10.5 sacks last year while teams focused on Middleton who had had a breakout campaign in 2007. Kirlew has 18 Tackles, 8.5 for loss with 2.5 sacks, to go along with 2 fumble recoveries thus far in 2009. On the other end is Middleton, a disruptive presence who lead the nation in sacks in 2007 with 16. As teams focused on him in 2008 his production dropped off some, but he still will likely find himself on an NFL roster this time next year. He has 15 tackles, 5.5 for loss with a team-leading 3 sacks in 2009. The ends are both seniors, but the middle is quite young with both starters being of freshman eligibility. Replogle is the brother of starting SLB Tyler Replogle and represented Ohio in the 2008 Big 33 game against Pennsylvania. Big and quick, it is hoped he develops into a serious inside presence over the course of his career. He has 9 tackles in his first season in Bloomington. Also a freshman is the 306 pound Larry Black, Jr. With the type of body that lends itself to plugging up the middle, Black has also demonstrated the ability to get into the backfield as he has 5 TFLs already in 2009, to go along with 10 tackles and a sack.
Reserves include Ends; #44 Darius Johnson (6-0, 249, So.), #55 Deonte Mack (6-3, 286, Jr.) and Tackles, #52 Jarrod Smith (6-4, 301, Jr.), #75 Nick Sliger (6-3, 295, Fr.), #69 Mick Mentzer (6-4, 308, Fr.). Johnson is the heir apparent at one of the end positions and has 8 tackles with a sack this season, while Mack returns from off season hip surgery after a solid 2008. He has 1 tackle this season. Smith, Slinger and Mentzer complete the rotation; Smith has 1 tackle, Slinger 2, with one for loss, while Mentzer leads the reserves with 4 tackles.
DL Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Indiana versus OSU DL
The Indiana D-Line is a solid group which puts an emphasis on getting into opposing backfields and causing havoc. While young up the gut, the ends have plenty of experience and the line is productive. Ohio State's line continues to play like one of the nation's premier units, while rotating in young guys like Garrett Goebel and Johnny Simon without missing a beat. The Indiana line has not gone against particularly impressive O-Lines this season, and an improving Ohio State O-Line may represent their toughest test this young season. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes performed quite well against a USC O-line which may be one of the best in the nation, and have continued to improve while dominating less talented lines in Toledo and Illinois. The Hoosiers are certainly better up front than one's gut instinct would suggest, but they're not quite at the same level as Ohio State.
Edge: Ohio State
Linebackers
SLB #46 Tyler Replogle (6-2, 236, Jr.)
MLB #43 Matt Mayberry (6-2, 237, Sr.)
WLB #34 Will Patterson (6-1, 237, Sr.)
The linebacking corps are lead by Mayberry, the team's leading tackler from a season ago. Once more safety sized, he's added quite a bit of bulk over the last few years while remaining athletic. He leads the Hoosiers with 26 stops, 3.5 for loss with a sack and a half. On the strong side, Replogle has now fully recovered from a torn ACL two seasons ago. With a good knowledge of each of the three positions, Replogle is versatile and talented. He has 24 tackles, 2.5 for loss with a sack and a pick. The weak side is once again manned by Patterson who returns from a knee injury last season after he made 55 tackles. Not the best against the run, he is solid in coverage and is able to get in to the backfield when asked to blitz. He has 22 Tackles, 1.5 for loss and a sack.
Backup linebackers are #25 Justin Carrington (6-0, 224, Sr.), #48 Leon Beckum (5-11, 224, So.), and #42 Chad Sherer (6-0, 217, Fr.). Carrington came to Indiana as a running back and may be the team's best open field tackler. In 2009 he has 6 stops and a fumble recovery. Beckum and Sherer are young but have each seen action in 2009 with Beckum recording 4 tackles and Sherer 2.
LB Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Indiana versus OSU LBs
The Indiana LBs are a good, solid unit that like to fly around and makes tackles. The starting three are 1-2-3 on the team in tackles, doing well against the run, which was a concern coming in to 2009. The Buckeyes corps, lead by Brian Rolle's 33 tackles, have quickly established themselves as a talented group. With excellent depth waiting in the wings the Buckeyes can rotate freely without much drop in production, whereas the upperclassman heavy Hoosiers can ill afford an injury. The Buckeyes get the edge here.
Edge: Ohio State
Secondary
CB #7 Ray Fisher (5-9, 185, Sr.)
SS #20 Austin Thomas (6-2, 220, Sr.)
FS #8 Nick Polk (6-0, 219, Sr.)
CB #6 Richard Council (6-1, 197, Jr.)
After being the Hoosier's leading WR in 2008, Fisher is now expected to provide the secondary with something approaching a lock-down corner. A tad small at 5-9, Fisher may have problems against bigger wide-outs, but he's got good speed and played corner in high school. He has 18 stops in 2009. The other corner is Council, who started 7 games last year, leading the team with 9 pass break-ups, before an ankle injury ended his year early. At 6-1 he can match up with bigger wide outs. He has 12 tackles with half for loss. The middle is manned with two seniors in Thomas and Polk. Thomas was off to a great start in 2008 before an ACL injury ended his year after leading the team in tackles the year prior. A big hitter, he has made improvements in coverage and has 2 INTs this season which leads the Hoosiers. He also has made 14 tackles. Polk is also a former wide receiver who has made improvements steadily since moving over, but has also struggled with injury as well - including an ACL injury which cut short his 2008. He has 19 stops, best for all secondary players, and 2 TFLs this season.
Reserves include Corners, #22 Andre LaGrone (6-0, 181, So.), #10 Donnell Jones (5-10, 207, So.),and Safeties, #29 Chris Adkins (6-1, 187, So.), #14 Jerimy Finch (6-1, 216, Jr.). Jones is a talented prospect who had a solid freshman campaign. Speedy and able to deliver the big hit, he has 7 tackles this season. LaGrone has 2 tackles in 4 games this season. Adkins was a starter all of last season at corner, though not particularly well suited for the position. Now at safety, he should take over smoothly after Polk departs. He has 11 stops in 2009. Finch has not yet recorded any statistics but has played in each of Indiana's 4 games.
DB Rating: C
Head-to-Head: Indiana versus OSU DBs
Indiana's secondary has played reasonably well thus far in 2009, giving up just 233 per game through the air, although it hasn't been against the strongest competition. This unit is helped out by a disruptive front 7, but QBs with time can pick them apart. Indiana has good depth, though any injuries would likely see a drop-off in terms of production. Ohio State's secondary is coming off a game in which it held Illinois to 88 passing yards, though passing conditions were not ideal, a week after limiting a high octane Toledo well below their average, and all but shutting USC down. Ohio State will also be without the services of Kurt Coleman who will be serving a 1 game suspension for a late hit he delivered late in the Illinois game. Despite the loss of Coleman, the Buckeyes enjoy excellent depth in the secondary and should be just fine without him.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Defensive Analysis
Indiana fields an aggressive defense which is probably a little better than you remember from the last time Ohio State and Indiana met on the gridiron. With an emphasis on getting into opposing backfields, the Hoosiers find themselves on the top side of the Big Ten rankings. Still, the Hoosiers have not played a particularly impressive schedule and yield way too many points to be considered among the elite. Expect the Hoosiers to get occasional pressure on Pryor, even with Ohio State's improved line play, as they try to force him in to beating them with his arm. The fact that Pryor is mobile will help, as the secondary can only cover for so long before breakdowns occur. If the Buckeyes are able to establish the ability to run the football, however, Indiana could be in for a long day.
Overall Defensive Rating: B-
Returning Starters: 1
Punting: #112, 19 for 726 yds, 38.2 avg
Punt Returns: #82, 4 for 24, 6.0 avg
Kickoff Returns: #16, 15 for 424, 28.27 avg, 1 TD
Punt Return defense: #81, 10 for 114, 1 TD, 11.4 avg
Kickoff Return Defense: #93, 23 for 542, 23.57 avg
For the 5th consecutive week, the Buckeye's opponent is weak in the area of Special Teams. The Indiana Hoosiers rank in the bottom quarter of the FBS in Special Teams statistics. Only in the area of Kickoff Returns do they show any signs of life (ranked #16), but even that could be attributed to one long kickoff return for a touchdown. Again the Buckeyes have a clear advantage in this area.
PK #91 Nick Ford (5-9, 198, Jr., LaPorte HS, LaPorte, IN)
or #99 Nick Freeland (5-11, 195, Fr., Lawrence North HS, Indianapolis, IN)
P #12 Chris Hagerup (6-5, 201, So., Whitefish Bay HS, Whitefish, WI)
KR #22 Demetrius McCray (5-11, 200, Sr., Armwood HS, Brandon, FL)
KR #7 Ray Fisher (5-9, 185, Sr., Glenville HS, Cleveland OH)
PR #7 Ray Fisher (5-9, 185, Sr., Glenville HS, Cleveland OH)
PR #81 Tandon Doss (6-3, 197, So., Ben Davis HS, Indianapolis, IN)
LS #53 Brandon Bugg (6-0, 241, Sr., Penn HS, Mishawaka, IN)
Hldr #17 Teddy Schell (6-5, 218, So., Barrington HS, Barrington, IN)
Despite their somewhat unexpected good start of 3-1 with a close loss at Michigan, the Indiana Hoosiers have not shined with their Special Teams play. Except for kickoff returns, Indiana ranks in the bottom quartile of teams statistically. A long kickoff return for a TD is the only thing keeping that team from the bottom also. The Hoosiers have some athletes on Special Teams and cannot be taken lightly, but this battle should easily go to the Buckeyes.
Head-to-Head: Fisher/Doss vs Ohio State Punt Defense
Fisher pulls double-duty on punt returns as well as on kickoffs. He and Doss are quick and can take one to the house if the Buckeyes aren't careful. There won't be a letdown this week.
Edge: Ohio State
Head-to-Head: Thomas/Saine/Herron vs Indiana Kickoff Defense
Both McCray and Fisher and small, quick, shifty WRs that would break one if the Buckeyes are not on their toes. Fortunately, Jim Tressel coached kickoff teams are always on their toes.
Edge: Ohio State
Head-to-Head: Thomas/Saine/Herron vs Indiana Kickoff Defense
The Buckeyes continue their improvement in the area of kickoff returns. To date, they are averaging 26.4 yds per return, an almost 7 yard increase. Indiana is struggling, giving up over 23.5 yard per return.
Edge: Ohio State
Head-to-Head: Small/Sanzenbacher/Posey vs Indiana Punt Defense
The Buckeyes are struggling somewhat on punt returns, only averaging 4.17 yards per return. They may get the punt return game going against Indiana, a team that is giving up over 11 yards per return.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Special Teams Analysis
Like seemingly every team the Buckeyes face this year, the Indiana Hoosiers do not put emphasis on Special Teams play. If somehow, the Football Gods frown on the Buckeyes offense and defense (also vastly superior to Indiana's), the Special Teams may come into play. And even there Ohio State holds the advantage in every category.
Overall Special Teams Rating: D
PredictionsPunt Returns: #82, 4 for 24, 6.0 avg
Kickoff Returns: #16, 15 for 424, 28.27 avg, 1 TD
Punt Return defense: #81, 10 for 114, 1 TD, 11.4 avg
Kickoff Return Defense: #93, 23 for 542, 23.57 avg
For the 5th consecutive week, the Buckeye's opponent is weak in the area of Special Teams. The Indiana Hoosiers rank in the bottom quarter of the FBS in Special Teams statistics. Only in the area of Kickoff Returns do they show any signs of life (ranked #16), but even that could be attributed to one long kickoff return for a touchdown. Again the Buckeyes have a clear advantage in this area.
PK #91 Nick Ford (5-9, 198, Jr., LaPorte HS, LaPorte, IN)
or #99 Nick Freeland (5-11, 195, Fr., Lawrence North HS, Indianapolis, IN)
P #12 Chris Hagerup (6-5, 201, So., Whitefish Bay HS, Whitefish, WI)
KR #22 Demetrius McCray (5-11, 200, Sr., Armwood HS, Brandon, FL)
KR #7 Ray Fisher (5-9, 185, Sr., Glenville HS, Cleveland OH)
PR #7 Ray Fisher (5-9, 185, Sr., Glenville HS, Cleveland OH)
PR #81 Tandon Doss (6-3, 197, So., Ben Davis HS, Indianapolis, IN)
LS #53 Brandon Bugg (6-0, 241, Sr., Penn HS, Mishawaka, IN)
Hldr #17 Teddy Schell (6-5, 218, So., Barrington HS, Barrington, IN)
Despite their somewhat unexpected good start of 3-1 with a close loss at Michigan, the Indiana Hoosiers have not shined with their Special Teams play. Except for kickoff returns, Indiana ranks in the bottom quartile of teams statistically. A long kickoff return for a TD is the only thing keeping that team from the bottom also. The Hoosiers have some athletes on Special Teams and cannot be taken lightly, but this battle should easily go to the Buckeyes.
Head-to-Head: Fisher/Doss vs Ohio State Punt Defense
Fisher pulls double-duty on punt returns as well as on kickoffs. He and Doss are quick and can take one to the house if the Buckeyes aren't careful. There won't be a letdown this week.
Edge: Ohio State
Head-to-Head: Thomas/Saine/Herron vs Indiana Kickoff Defense
Both McCray and Fisher and small, quick, shifty WRs that would break one if the Buckeyes are not on their toes. Fortunately, Jim Tressel coached kickoff teams are always on their toes.
Edge: Ohio State
Head-to-Head: Thomas/Saine/Herron vs Indiana Kickoff Defense
The Buckeyes continue their improvement in the area of kickoff returns. To date, they are averaging 26.4 yds per return, an almost 7 yard increase. Indiana is struggling, giving up over 23.5 yard per return.
Edge: Ohio State
Head-to-Head: Small/Sanzenbacher/Posey vs Indiana Punt Defense
The Buckeyes are struggling somewhat on punt returns, only averaging 4.17 yards per return. They may get the punt return game going against Indiana, a team that is giving up over 11 yards per return.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Special Teams Analysis
Like seemingly every team the Buckeyes face this year, the Indiana Hoosiers do not put emphasis on Special Teams play. If somehow, the Football Gods frown on the Buckeyes offense and defense (also vastly superior to Indiana's), the Special Teams may come into play. And even there Ohio State holds the advantage in every category.
Overall Special Teams Rating: D
BB73's prediction: 34-16, Ohio State
Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 35-10, Ohio State
Bucklion's prediction: 34-20, Ohio State
Bucky Katt's prediction: 34 -13, Ohio State
DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 37-10, Ohio State
jwinslow's prediction: 38-10, Ohio State
JCOSU86's prediction: 42-7, Ohio State
Low score wins the year long battle of prediction supremacy! (Difference of actual scores versus predicted scores. 10 point penalty for picking the losing team.)
Previous Game's Results (tOSU 30, Illinois 0)
(063) JCOSU86's prediction: 34-3, Ohio State (7 + 056 last week = 063)
(072) BB73's prediction: 31-17, Ohio State (18 + 054 last week = 072)
(076) Bucky Katt's prediction: 27-17, Ohio State (20 + 056 last week = 076)
(084) jwinslow's prediction: 31-17, Ohio State (18 + 066 last week = 084)
(93) Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 34-17, Ohio State (21 + 072 last week = 093)
(101) Bucklion's prediction: 23-17, Ohio State (24 + 077 last week = 101)
(104) DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 42-13, Ohio State (25 + 079 last week = 104)
Adjusted scores for weeks missed. Participant must take the highest score from the week they missed.
Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 35-10, Ohio State
Bucklion's prediction: 34-20, Ohio State
Bucky Katt's prediction: 34 -13, Ohio State
DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 37-10, Ohio State
jwinslow's prediction: 38-10, Ohio State
JCOSU86's prediction: 42-7, Ohio State
Low score wins the year long battle of prediction supremacy! (Difference of actual scores versus predicted scores. 10 point penalty for picking the losing team.)
Previous Game's Results (tOSU 30, Illinois 0)
(063) JCOSU86's prediction: 34-3, Ohio State (7 + 056 last week = 063)
(072) BB73's prediction: 31-17, Ohio State (18 + 054 last week = 072)
(076) Bucky Katt's prediction: 27-17, Ohio State (20 + 056 last week = 076)
(084) jwinslow's prediction: 31-17, Ohio State (18 + 066 last week = 084)
(93) Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 34-17, Ohio State (21 + 072 last week = 093)
(101) Bucklion's prediction: 23-17, Ohio State (24 + 077 last week = 101)
(104) DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 42-13, Ohio State (25 + 079 last week = 104)
Adjusted scores for weeks missed. Participant must take the highest score from the week they missed.
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