Game Thread: #2 Ohio State at. Indiana, 8 PM EST, ESPN (Thursday, August 31st)

[ericd7633]

Very true. I've seen them listed as one of the 25 best defenses in the country this season, but I don't know if they'll play up to that given the (expected) limitations on offense with Wilson now gone.

They should, in theory, be very good defensively. They return 9 starters, and the two other non returning starters are both expected to be seniors, so they have all kinds of experience on defense. And they'll probably be more defensive minded with who's taking over as Head Coach. IU was almost dead last in turnovers last year, so if they can be better on offense, they could make this a game, but I have no faith that DeBord can get that out of them.

I would be surprised if OSU put up 40+ though. I'm thinking like 38-13 or something like that.

 

[osubuckeye89]

From an efficiency standpoint IU and Texas were practically even last year in terms of defense. IU would have been the 4th best defense in the Big 12 last year. They were 8th in the B1G. Defense wasn't the reason IU struggled last year. They were terrible on offense and special teams last year. Last year was the best defense IU had under Wilson, and it wasn't even really close.

Their offense will probably decline more this year.

They lost 3 regular starters from an Oline that wasnt very good to begin with.

Redding is gone at RB, he wasnt the most spectacular but he was at least a somewhat solid workhorse. They pretty much have no running game going into the season.

Cobbs and Westbrook are pretty much all they have on offense. Theres nothing really proven at WR after those 2 (they lost Paige and Jones who both caught 50+ passes last year)

Lagow was a pretty mediocre QB as is, 19 TD/17 INT and around 58% completion with pretty much no running ability to make up for it. Can't see things getting better for him with a lack of running game and an extremely shakey oline.

If Ohio State's offense plays near what they are capable of, this one is gonna get ugly quick.

 

[ericd7633]

Their offense will probably decline more this year.

They lost 3 regular starters from an Oline that wasnt very good to begin with.

Redding is gone at RB, he wasnt the most spectacular but he was at least a somewhat solid workhorse. They pretty much have no running game going into the season.

Cobbs and Westbrook are pretty much all they have on offense. Theres nothing really proven at WR after those 2 (they lost Paige and Jones who both caught 50+ passes last year)

Lagow was a pretty mediocre QB as is, 19 TD/17 INT and around 58% completion with pretty much no running ability to make up for it. Can't see things getting better for him with a lack of running game and an extremely shakey oline.

If Ohio State's offense plays near what they are capable of, this one is gonna get ugly quick.

Oh yeah, I'm not expecting them to be better. I think Lagow is pretty awful both in decision making and accuracy. I'm surprised they don't have a better option to play QB. Ohio State is going to have a monstrous d-line this season. If I set the Lagow turnovers at 2.5, I'd probably take the over.

 

[osubuckeye89]

Oh yeah, I'm not expecting them to be better. I think Lagow is pretty awful both in decision making and accuracy. I'm surprised they don't have a better option to play QB. Ohio State is going to have a monstrous d-line this season. If I set the Lagow turnovers at 2.5, I'd probably take the over.

We scored 38 and won by 21 last year and that was more of a "meh" performance by us than it was Indiana playing really well. Our offense was seriously handicapped by horrid play calling constantly last year. The Indiana game was one of those games.

I don't think Indiana's offense is going to be on the field long enough to keep their D fresh enough to stand up to our O. Which is why I see 40+ happening. I'd be surprised if we didn't put up 40+

As far as them scoring. I think 7-10 points is probably a good prediction. They are bound to hit a big pass or two with us breaking in a fairly new starting secondary. Maybe they get more if its out of control to the point where we are playing backups most of the 2nd half.

 

[osubuckeye89]

Oh yeah, I'm not expecting them to be better. I think Lagow is pretty awful both in decision making and accuracy. I'm surprised they don't have a better option to play QB. Ohio State is going to have a monstrous d-line this season. If I set the Lagow turnovers at 2.5, I'd probably take the over.

As far as a "better" QB option

They just had a QB transfer

I believe the only 2 scholarship QBs they have behind Lagow now are Peyton Ramsey, whos a redshirt freshman, was the #49 Pro Style QB by 247 in recruiting and Nick Tronti, who's a true freshman, #30 "Dual Threat" QB by 247 in last years class.

So neither of those 2 is probably ready to be a better option yet. I wouldn't be shocked if Lagow hits the bench at some point this season though in favor of one of the frosh. Especially if it ends up a lost season.

 

[ericd7633]

We scored 38 and won by 21 last year and that was more of a "meh" performance by us than it was Indiana playing really well. Our offense was seriously handicapped by horrid play calling constantly last year. The Indiana game was one of those games.

I don't think Indiana's offense is going to be on the field long enough to keep their D fresh enough to stand up to our O. Which is why I see 40+ happening. I'd be surprised if we didn't put up 40+

As far as them scoring. I think 7-10 points is probably a good prediction. They are bound to hit a big pass or two with us breaking in a fairly new starting secondary. Maybe they get more if its out of control to the point where we are playing backups most of the 2nd half.

Yeah that's the only thing that has me hesitant. Their O could be so terrible, that it negatively effects their defensive performance. If they can play game control on offense and not turn the ball over, and just keep their defense fresh, I think they can keep Ohio State under 40.

 

[ericd7633]

As far as a "better" QB option

They just had a QB transfer

I believe the only 2 scholarship QBs they have behind Lagow now are Peyton Ramsey, whos a redshirt freshman, was the #49 Pro Style QB by 247 in recruiting and Nick Tronti, who's a true freshman, #30 "Dual Threat" QB by 247 in last years class.

So neither of those 2 is probably ready to be a better option yet. I wouldn't be shocked if Lagow hits the bench at some point this season though in favor of one of the frosh. Especially if it ends up a lost season.

Given their deficiencies on the O-line, playing that dual threat QB might not be the worst idea. But either way that OSU d-line is going to give whoever's back there hell.

 

[osubuckeye89]

Yeah that's the only thing that has me hesitant. Their O could be so terrible, that it negatively effects their defensive performance. If they can play game control on offense and not turn the ball over, and just keep their defense fresh, I think they can keep Ohio State under 40.

They're gonna have to run the ball to do that. Maybe one of their RBs by committee ends up making an impact, there's nothing really out there to show that right now though. Especially running behind a not very good oline.

If Lagow has to throw 40+ times it's a very ugly game. Last year he only threw 28 times against us, which he was only 14/28 with an INT

 

[Across The Field]

They should, in theory, be very good defensively. They return 9 starters, and the two other non returning starters are both expected to be seniors, so they have all kinds of experience on defense. And they'll probably be more defensive minded with who's taking over as Head Coach. IU was almost dead last in turnovers last year, so if they can be better on offense, they could make this a game, but I have no faith that DeBord can get that out of them.

I would be surprised if OSU put up 40+ though. I'm thinking like 38-13 or something like that.

1 week avy bet says OSU goes over 40.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

I'm pretty sure we know what Wilson is going to do so it's not like it's going to be some big surprise.

 

[ericd7633]

They're gonna have to run the ball to do that. Maybe one of their RBs by committee ends up making an impact, there's nothing really out there to show that right now though. Especially running behind a not very good oline.

If Lagow has to throw 40+ times it's a very ugly game. Last year he only threw 28 times against us, which he was only 14/28 with an INT

Yeah I don't see how they'll be able to consistently get 4, hell, even 3 yards a carry against the Ohio State d-line, but that's going to be what it takes. I may have been generous in thinking IU could get to 13, but I guess they could always get a garbage TD. lol.

 

[ericd7633]

1 week avy bet says OSU goes over 40.

That seems fair. The projected outcome is 39.5-18.5 in favor of Ohio State based on the spread and o/u line. Plus this will give me all of 1 day to have my own avy before I lose it do to ND losing to UGA. lol.

 

[TexasExes98]

I mean, not by B1G standards. Put them in the Big 12, and it's a different story...

Ha ha, please. Kansas would have a top ten defense in the B1G with the immense amount of shitty offenses in your conference. There is a reason B1G defenses were defacated on in bowl season once they stepped out of their conference.

 

[osubuckeye89]

Yeah I don't see how they'll be able to consistently get 4, hell, even 3 yards a carry against the Ohio State d-line, but that's going to be what it takes. I may have been generous in thinking IU could get to 13, but I guess they could always get a garbage TD. lol.

Last year, taking away Lagow's 3 runs for -3. They ran for 102 yards on 37 carries. That's 2.75 YPC and that was with Redding who ran for 2,252 yards at 4.4 YPC for 2 seasons basically (had 29 carries as a frosh in 14 then 200+ carries in 15/16)

Our offense doing what it did on way too often of an occasion last year, sputtering for most of the game (minus the 2nd quarter) was pretty much the only reason that game didn't totally get out of hand.

 

[TexasExes98]

From an efficiency standpoint IU and Texas were practically even last year in terms of defense. IU would have been the 4th best defense in the Big 12 last year. They were 8th in the B1G. Defense wasn't the reason IU struggled last year. They were terrible on offense and special teams last year. Last year was the best defense IU had under Wilson, and it wasn't even really close.

No they wouldn't. IU played in a conference that had over half of their teams rank 80th to dead last in scoring offenses vastly inflating their defensive statistics.

 

[osubuckeye89]

Nick Sheridan is Indiana's QB coach

This Nick Sheridan

 

[mall3013]

It'll be close for about 3 Quarters most likely then in the 4th Ohio State will blow em out of their own stadium.

I tend to agree with this. IU has a decent defense, but have the lack of depth. IU has a pretty darn good offense and if they can establish any type of rushing, this game will be closer than I hope. I think our defensive line is going to have there way though against the IU OL. But like you said, the Buckeyes should start pulling away somewhere in the 3rd quarter imo. I know Wilson wants to run up that score on his former team.

 

[mall3013]

This game has 21-0 for OSU written all over it.................























After the first quarter.

You picked IU to win? And even our rival UM fans have tOSU winning.

 

[mall3013]

Saw the OSU depth chart officially came out with some interesting notes.

Looks like Weber must not be fully healthy as he's listed as a co-starter with Dobbins. Wouldn't be shocked to see Dobbins get the bulk of the carries.

Johnnie Dixon and Austin Mack get the start at WR, while it looks like KJ Hill or Parris Campbell will run out at HB.

No DE was given full-time starter status, with both sides listing co-starters between Bosa, Holmes, Hubbard and Lewis. That is terrifying for opposing offenses, as all 4 are very talented and can get to the QB.

Ward and Arnette get the starts at CB, while Webb gets the nod at one safety spot with Erick Smith and Jordan Fuller listed as co-starters at the other.

Should be an interesting first game to see who can separate themselves.

Did you see what Ward's 40 was? He ran a 4.25... Yikes.. That is a blazing runner in our secondary. I'm curious what Okudah's is/was?

 

[ericd7633]

No they wouldn't. IU played in a conference that had over half of their teams rank 80th to dead last in scoring offenses vastly inflating their defensive statistics.

strength of opponent is factored in when measuring efficiency. You can play bad offenses and still be a good defense. IU was probably a top 35 defense last year.