Ten Things Buckeye Fans Will Be Saying After The Indiana Game

Saturday’s matchup against No. 5 Indiana is the biggest game of the year for the No. 2 Buckeyes to this point. They cannot afford a loss in this game if they want to make it to the Big Ten Championship Game. A win gets them one step closer to one of their three goals this season.

There will be plenty said after this game by coaches, players, and media. Below you can find 10 things that Buckeye fans will be saying after this one. There will be no cuss words, but you can go ahead and add them in wherever you like.

“If we keep getting this Sonny Styles, I like our chances.”

You may not know this, but Sonny Styles is leading the Buckeyes in tackles this season (63). He also has 5.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks. Three of those TFLs and sacks have come in the past two weeks. As he has gotten more and more comfortable at linebacker, big plays are becoming the norm — including as a pass defender. That will continue this weekend as well.

“Good to see Jeremiah Smith get back into the end zone again.”

Jeremiah Smith didn’t score last week. In fact, he has only scored one touchdown over the past three games. He has never gone consecutive games without scoring, and it’s not gonna start this weekend. Smith will be back in the end zone against Indiana, and likely more than once. He’s due for a big game.

“I kind of expected some struggles in the running game.”

Indiana has the No. 1 rushing defense in the nation. They are allowing just 72.2 yards rushing per game, and their 2.46 yards per carry is good for second-best nationally. Against conference opponents, the Hoosiers are allowing 2.55 yards per carry, which is the best in the nation. Michigan ran for 69 yards on 34 carries two weeks ago. That followed a game against Michigan State where the Spartans rushed for -36 yards on 32 attempts. So in their last two Big Ten games, the Hoosiers’ opponents have run the ball 66 times for 33 yards. The Buckeyes probably aren’t going for 200 yards, but if they can hit 100 yards in the second half, that should equal a win for Ohio State.

“I don’t mind being a second-half team.”

Ryan Day wants a fast start in this game, but if you asked him, he’d likely prefer a dominating finish. The Buckeyes don’t need a fast start offensively to get the crowd engaged. The fans shouldn’t need any encouragement to make an impact in this one. Admittedly, a 14-point second-quarter lead would be nice for the Buckeyes, but it’s the second half where this game is going to be won. Ohio State is outscoring opponents 121-9 this season in the third quarter. The second-half adjustments have been outstanding on defense, and the offense has the ability to wear opponents down over the game’s final two quarters. That’s a recipe that always produces a family favorite.

“Is it time to start giving Justin Frye some credit?”

Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye has received his fair share of grief from fans and media (and perhaps his bosses) for some recruiting misses over the last couple of years. The performance in the Cotton Bowl last year didn’t help either. And while that grumbling hasn’t gone away entirely, if Frye can put together another solid offensive line for the third time this year, then we may have to start cutting him some slack.

“Kurtis Rourke can throw the football.”

Indiana starting quarterback Kurtis Rourke is second in the nation in pass efficiency (182.67), followed by Ohio State quarterback Will Howard (181.90). Rourke has been very effective throwing back-shoulder passes this season, putting the ball where seemingly only his receivers can get it. Jim Knowles was asked the key to stopping those throws and he didn’t want to divulge what the Buckeyes plan to do. They have a plan, but rest assured that you are going to be frustrated by some Indiana completions. And it will be okay to give the quarterback and receiver some credit when it happens.

“I have faith in Will Howard.”

Will Howard has been better than anybody expected, except for maybe Ryan Day. After throwing five interceptions in a six-game stretch, he’s been clean the past two weeks. That interception-less streak also coincides with games against Purdue and Northwestern. Howard needs to keep avoiding the bad turnovers and just make the plays that are there to be made. He’ll likely be running a little bit more this week because they’ll need to get ground yards somehow and some way. Right now, Howard’s 9.7 yards per pass attempt in a season would be the second-best mark in modern Ohio State history, behind CJ Stroud’s 2021 season of 10.1 yards per attempt. His numbers will likely continue to drop because he’ll be playing better defenses the rest of the way out. But still, after 10 games, his pass efficiency of 181.9 is the second-best in Ohio State history. Once again behind Stroud’s 2021 season (186.6). He’s going to make some plays on Saturday that have you singing his praises beyond pointing out some random QB stats. The most meaningful quarterback stat, after all, is wins.

“I’m loving these blitzes.”

Since the Oregon game, the Ohio State defense has gotten more aggressive and more creative. The effectiveness of the blitzing has increased, and it’s showing up in the defensive stats as well. Cody Simon has 5.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 of those have come in the four games since the loss to the Ducks. Sonny Styles has 3.0 tackles for loss the last two weeks via the blitz. With the way Michigan got after Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke two weeks ago, there’s no reason to just sit back and let him get comfortable. Jim Knowles will send ’em in hot on Saturday.

“We’re never going to have a better trio of safeties.”

Caleb Downs, Lathan Ransom, and Jordan Hancock only have a handful of games left together as Buckeyes, and the way they play together, you’ll be appreciating each of those games. Whether it’s Downs flying in out of nowhere, Ransom being in the right place at the right time, or Hancock cleaning things up like Winston Wolfe, there’s never been another trio like these guys and there won’t ever be another like them again. Enjoy it while they are here.