No. 9 Indiana Hoosiers vs. No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes Inside the Numbers Preview
Posted by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The eight-game race to the Big Ten finish line is heating up with teams in the East and West divisions separating themselves from the pack already. A key game that will define the winner in the East is set to kickoff on Saturday when the No. 9 Indiana Hoosiers (4-0) travel to Columbus to take on the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0) in a game that pits offensive strength against defensive fortitude.
The beginning of the 2020 Ohio State football season has been much like many others, strong out of the gate with big lopsided wins. The Buckeyes have trounced Nebraska, then- No. 18 Penn State, and Rutgers in impressive fashion but none of the teams have a winning record and the Nittany Lions are winless (0-4). The chance to further showcase the dazzling OSU offense was halted last week when Maryland had to call the game due to COVID protocols.
How the oddities of college football data works, the Hoosiers have played one more game than the Buckeyes, beat two of the same teams (Penn State and Rutgers), took down Michigan when the Wolverines were No. 23, and beat PSU when they were ranked No. 8 in the AP but somehow have a strength of schedule ranking at No. 34 (USA Today), three spots below Ohio State. The Hoosiers have been consistent on offense and defense this season leading to the top-10 ranking. IU’s top-20 defense will be put to the test in Ohio Stadium by the 13th ranked offense in the FBS ranks.
As all-time series goes, this has not been much of a game. The Buckeyes own the showdowns 76-9-4 with the teams only twice playing as ranked opponents. Going deeper into the fray, Ohio State holds a 25-game winning streak against IU and technically have not lost in 27 consecutive meetings with a 27-27 tie posted in 1990. Indiana last walked off the field with a win against Ohio State in 1988. Indiana fans will be pumped for this one!
No. 9 Indiana (4-0) vs No. 3 Ohio State (3-0)
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Spread: Ohio State -21.5
*Rankings at FBS Level – 123 Active Teams
IU Total Offense: 362.8 – No. 88
OSU Total Offense: 511.3 – No. 13
IU Points Per Game: 33.8 – tied No. 33
OSU Points Per Game: 46.3 – No. 5
IU Rushing Yards Per Game: 95.3
OSU Rushing Yards Per Game: 208.7
IU Passing Yards Per Game: 267.50
OSU Passing Yards Per Game: 302.7
IU Third Down Conversion Percentage: 23-59 – 38.98
OSU Third Down Conversion Percentage: 25-43 – 58.00
IU Red Zone Offense: 19-23
OSU Red Zone Offense: 15-18
IU Key Offensive Players
RB Stevie Scott III – 319 yards, 5 TDs
WR Ty Fryfogle – 24 rec. for 424 yards, 4 TDs
QB Michael Penix Jr. – 91-150 for 1,070 yards, 9 TDs, 3 INTs
OSU Key Offensive Players
RB Master Teague III – 211 yards, 4 TDs
WR Garrett Wilson – 24 rec. for 344 yards, 2 TDs
QB Justin Fields – 72-83 for 908 yards, 11 TDs, 0 INTs
Defensive Breakdown
IU Total Defense: 320.8 – No. 18
OSU Total Defense: 356.0 – No. 33
IU Points Allowed Per Game: 19.25 – No. 18
OSU Points Allowed Per Game: 23.0 – tied No. 33
IU Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 209.75
OSU Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 224.3
IU Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 111.0
OSU Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 131.7
IU Defensive Third Down Conversion: 18-54 – 33.33
OSU Defensive Third Down Conversion: 14-36 – 39.00
IU Red Zone Defense: 5-9
OSU Red Zone Defense: 10-11
IU Key Defensive Players
Micah McFadden – 30 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 INT
Tiawan Mullen – 21 tackles, 3.5 TFK, 2.5 sacks, 2 INTs
OSU Key Defensive Players
Tuf Borland – 16 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 sack
Tommy Togiai – 14 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 sacks
IU Strength of Schedule: No. 34
OSU Strength of Schedule: No. 31
Reported Injury Status
Indiana
LB Thomas Allen – out (knee)
LB Cam Jones – questionable (undisclosed)
LB Ty Wise – questionable (undisclosed)
DB Raheem Layne – out (undisclosed)
DB Samuler Slusher – questionable (undisclosed)
OL Kahlil Benson – out (knee)
OL Mike Katic – questionable (undisclosed)
DL Shamar Jones – questionable (undisclosed)
TE Sam Daugstrup – questionable (undisclosed)
TE Tyron Ivy Jr. – out (undisclosed)
WR Ty Fryfogle – questionable (undisclosed)
WR Cam Wilson – questionable (undisclosed)
Ohio State
CB Cameron Brown – questionable (knee)
CB Lejond Cavazos – questionable (knee)
CB Lloyd McRarquhar – questionable (undisclosed)
DL Jacolbe Cowan – questionable (undisclosed)
DT Jaden McKenzie – questionable (undisclosed)
RB Marcus Crowley – questionable (undisclosed)
OL Gavin Cupp – questionable (undisclosed)
LB Tommy Eichenberg – questionable (undisclosed)
TE Patrick Gurd – questionable (undisclosed)
WR Jaylon Harris – questionable (undisclosed)
WR Alec Taylor – questionable (undisclosed)
Photo credit: ESPN; No. 9 Michael Penix Jr. vs. Penn State (2020)