Ohio State vs. Indiana: Complete Game Preview

Urban Meyer and Ohio State (4-0) answered some important questions in a 38-12 rout of Western Michigan last Saturday, and the country's top-ranked team will look to build on that positive momentum this week against Indiana (4-0). 

The Buckeyes have their quarterback in Cardale Jones and some emerging deep threats for the passing attack. They'll need Jones and Co. to operate at full speed on the road against a potent Hoosiers team that's averaging 38.2 points per game.

Both teams are looking to make a statement as they open conference play. 

Date: Saturday, Oct. 3

Time: 3:30 p.m. ET

Place: Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana

TV: ABC/ESPN 2

Radio: Ohio State Football Radio Network, Indiana Hoosiers Sports Network

Spread: Ohio State (-17.5), via Odds Shark 

Ohio State Keys to Victory

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Set Up Play Action

Ohio State's offense hit a two-week rut when it averaged just 330 yards per game against Hawaii and Northern Illinois. The offensive line was struggling to block, the receivers weren't getting open and the quarterbacks couldn't find a rhythm.

A lot of that was the result of the Buckeyes' inability to set up play action. 

With Jones at quarterback, Ohio State wants to establish the ground game early to suck the safeties into the box for run support. When it can do that, Jones can use his incredible arm strength to get the ball down the field and over the defense via play action.

Look for the Buckeyes to set that up early.  

Get Braxton Miller Going

When Ohio State opened the season against Virginia Tech, it looked like Braxton Miller would make a huge impact on an already loaded offense. The redshirt senior quarterback-turned-receiver was dynamic, hauling in three passes for 79 yards and a touchdown to complement 61 yards and another score on the ground. 

But Miller has been ineffective in the last three weeks since the opener, totaling just 43 receiving yards and 75 rushing yards against Hawaii, Northern Illinois and Western Michigan. 

Urban Meyer has utilized Miller as a wildcat quarterback, but teams have bottled him up from that look. The coaching staff needs to find a better way to get him in space. 

Indiana Keys to Victory

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Protect Nate Sudfeld

When Indiana invaded Ohio Stadium and nearly pulled the upset last year, it showcased outstanding running back Tevin Coleman, who ran wild for 228 yards and three touchdowns.

The Hoosiers will be much more balanced this year with Nate Sudfeld behind center.

The senior quarterback is off to a hot start, completing 61.1 percent of his passes for 1,143 yards and seven touchdowns against one interception. Head coach Kevin Wilson and the Hoosiers coaching staff will want to attack Ohio State's surging secondary, but they'll have to create a game plan to protect Sudfeld from a stiff pass rush.

It's not just Joey Bosa who's causing problems. Tyquan Lewis is emerging as a stud at weak-side defensive end, Adolphus Washington has been disruptive at defensive tackle and linebacker Darron Lee has been great as well.

Muster...Anything on Defense

The Hoosiers have been as bad on defense as they've been good on offense. 

Against Southern Illinois, Florida International, Western Kentucky and Wake Forest, Indiana has surrendered an average of 499 total yards (which ranks No. 117 in the country) and 32 points per game (which ranks 97th). 

The Hoosiers may have found a bit of a groove against Wake Forest last week when they allowed just 363 yards and 24 points in a seven-point victory. But Brian Knorr's defense will have to hit a different gear when the Buckeyes come to town. 

Ohio State Players to Watch

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

Jalin Marshall

Ohio State's offense lacked explosiveness in its Week 2 and Week 3 matchups against Hawaii and Northern Illinois, and Urban Meyer talked about the need for a deep threat to emerge for the offense leading up to the Western Michigan game, per Tim Shoemarker of Eleven Warriors.

Jalin Marshall stepped up against the Broncos, consistently getting behind the Broncos defense last Saturday. He only finished the game with 48 receiving yards, but he showcased what he's capable of when he burned Western Michigan on a 37-yard touchdown. 

Marshall made the move to the perimeter after logging time as an H-back last year, and he told David Jablonski of the Dayton Daily News that he's suited for this role. 

“With me playing last year, I have great experience,” Marshall said. “Being on the outside and having those other playmakers on the inside, we can be more explosive. I understand the offense. I can make those plays.”

Joshua Perry

If the offense falls back into its slump, Urban Meyer will need a big game from his defense, and in particular, the linebackers. 

The Buckeyes have a trio of outstanding backers, but senior leader Joshua Perry will be key on the road against Indiana.

Perry was the difference in last year's meeting, registering a game-high 14 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks. He was all over the field for the Buckeyes, who needed to rally late in the third quarter to overcome the feisty Hoosiers. 

Indiana Players to Watch

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Ricky Jones

Running back Jordan Howard has been absolutely incredible for the Hoosiers this season, averaging 168.8 rushing yards per game. But the Hoosiers will need to attack the Buckeyes with a balanced attack, which is why they'll need a big game from wideout Ricky Jones.

The standout junior leads the team with 411 yards and three touchdowns, and with receptions of 71 and 69 yards, he brings an elite big-play ability to the field.

The Buckeyes had a hard time containing Western Michigan's Daniel Braverman last Saturday, who caught 10 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown. Jones has the ability to exploit the same holes that Braverman found in the Ohio State secondary.

Darius Latham

If Indiana expects to disrupt Ohio State's offense, it'll need a big game from defensive tackle Darius Latham.

The Hoosiers were nervous about Latham's availability coming into the season after an unexpected knee injury sidelined him for part of fall camp. But he recovered quickly, and the staff liked what it saw out of its big, run-stuffing lineman.

“When he goes, he looks full speed and looks good. I think we’re just trying not to overdo it,” Kevin Wilson said, according to Zach Osterman of the Indianapolis Star. “He’s in great shape. I’m looking forward to him having a tremendous year.”

Through four games, Latham is indeed having a tremendous year, as he leads the team with five tackles for loss to complement two sacks. 

Surprisingly, the Buckeyes have struggled at the point of attack this season, especially along the interior of the offensive line. Latham will give Indiana the best chance to disrupt the Buckeyes' offensive rhythm. 

What They're Saying

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones underthrew a number of open receivers against Western Michigan, and he's hoping to fix that issue against Indiana, according to Eric Seger of Eleven Warriors.

"

Just understanding what we were trying to do to them. We prepared in a slightly different way than taking some of the other balls, but that's not an excuse for throwing three or four of them short. Definitely the one that turned into an interception in the end zone. Just trusting my guys some more and having more faith in them to throw it. 

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Urban Meyer was disappointed with his defense after Western Michigan moved the ball effectively on the ground, according to Patrick Murphy of The Ozone: "Defensively, I don't think we played our typical Silver Bullet self for—the interior run was an issue. And I'm sure you can visit with Coach [Luke] Fickell and Coach [Chris] Ash, we have to get that fixed. I don't know exactly what happened."

Prediction

Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

It won't take long for Ohio State to take the Memorial Stadium crowd out of the game.

Urban Meyer will break tendency and lean on Ezekiel Elliott early, and the junior running back will reward that decision with a highlight-reel 60-yard touchdown run to open the game. The Buckeyes will pick Nate Sudfeld off on the ensuing drive, and Cardale Jones will find Michael Thomas streaking over the middle for a quick 20-yard score to put Ohio State up by 14.

The Hoosiers will temporarily stop the bleeding by getting a field goal on the board before the end of the first quarter, but Elliott will be just too much to handle. The Buckeyes will pound the ball consistently, and right before the end of the half, they'll go over the top to find Jalin Marshall for a 50-yard touchdown.

It'll be more of the same in the second half as Ohio State builds a comfortable 42-13 lead going into the fourth quarter. A garbage-time touchdown from the Hoosiers will make it look more respectable, but the Buckeyes will dominate from start to finish in Bloomington. 

Ohio State 45, Indiana 20