Know the Opposition: Indiana

Dave and Drew Thurman (11:54 AM)

Mascot: Hoosiers
Stadium: Memorial Stadium (52,692)
2008 Record: 3-9
2009 Record: 3-1
Head Coach: Bill Lynch (3rd year at IU, 13-16; 17th year overall, 94-83-3)
Letterman Returning: 49 (23 Lost)
Returning Starters: Offense - 6, Defense - 9, Specialists -1
Base Defense: 4-3
Base Offense: Pistol
Returning Stars: DE Jamie Kirlew; DE Greg Middleton

Notable Alumni

Dick Enberg - Sportscaster
Ernie Pyle - Award winning WWII journalist
Mark Spitz - Swimmer (won seven gold medals in '72 Olympics)
Jane Pauley - TV journalist
Jeff Sagarin - Creator of Sagarin rating system for college sports
Isaiah Thomas - NBA Hall of Famer, coach, and owner
Mark Cuban - Entrepreneur; owner of Dallas Mavericks

Indiana Overview

The Hoosiers have actually started off with some momentum this season (3-1), and have already matched their win total from a year ago. Their non-conference schedule was pretty pathetic, though their near upset in Ann Arbor a week ago did raise some eyebrows. The big difference is that Indiana's offense seems to be performing better every single week.

In fact, their offense put almost a hundred more yards up against the Wolverines last week. I realize that Michigan plays very soft "D," but the 467 yards the Hoosiers gained was pretty impressive.  

The leader of the offense is redshirt junior, Ben Chappell. So far this season he has 944 yards in the air to along with three touchdowns and four interceptions. Not terribly impressive numbers, but without him their offense does not click. His favorite target is easily Tandon Doss, who has 26 receptions for 374 yards.

The Hoosiers will use Doss in multiple roles though, as they showed against Michigan. In that game Doss carried the ball three times for 41 yards and a touchdown on top of having 104 yards receiving. The other main target the Buckeyes will have to watch for is Demarlo Belcher (222 yards and 1 TD).

At 6'5" 215 pounds, look for him to cause match up problems against smaller corners. Also be prepared to hear the names of Terrance Turner (135 yards) and Mitchell Evans (116 yards and 1 TD).

The backfield for the Hoosiers is interesting. Early on senior Demetrius McCray took the bulk of the carries based on injury problems, but last week star redshirt freshman Darius Willis finally got a chance to show off. He had 152 yards with two touchdowns, averaging 9.5 yards a carry in the game in Ann Arbor.

He has great size and speed, and was one of the best recruits to head to Bloomington in quite sometime. He has a bright future ahead, and the Buckeyes will have to watch for him breaking loose all night long. Not only do the Hoosiers have some talented runners, but they also have a very experienced offensive line.

They brought back nine of their top ten offensive linemen, so McCray and Willis can thank them for the 159.2 rushing yards they are averaging per game.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Hoosiers return nine starters from 2008. The strength of this defense is easily the defensive line, more specifically the ends. At one defensive end watch for junior Greg Middleton (15 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks), who was first in the NCAA with 16 sacks in 2007.

The other is home for senior Jamie Kirlew (18 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks,and 2 FF). These two guys bothered the Wolverines last week, and actually made Tate Forcier look like a freshman. The other two guys the Buckeyes should expect to hear from are MLB Matt Mayberry (26 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks) and WLB Will Patterson (22 tackles, 1.5 TFL, and 1 sack).

Both of these seniors along with junior SLB Tyler Replogle have helped the Hoosiers only give 94 yards a game rushing.

The Hoosier secondary is very experienced as well, with three out of the four spots possessed by seniors. The safeties Nick Polk (19 tackles and 2 sacks) and Austin Thomas (14 tackles and 2 INT) have been very active thus far.

At the corner positions, watch for senior Ray Fisher (Cleveland Glenville product), along with Chris Adkins and Richard Council. Be prepared because the Hoosiers will blitz from the corner position often, and will not settle just to drop these guys into coverage.   

Game Outlook

When Indiana has the ball, expect the Buckeyes to slow down the momentum they had a week ago. The Hoosier did gain 467 yards against the Wolverines, but that defense has been gashed by about everyone they have played. On top of that, the Hoosiers hung around thanks to big plays, which the Buckeye defense has not been giving up (did we mention back to back shutouts).

The pistol formation the Hoosiers run is interesting, so expect a few decent runs by Willis and McCray. That alone is not going to help them win the game though, because the Buckeyes are only averaging giving up three yards a carry. That means Chappell will need to move the ball through the air for the Hoosiers.

The Buckeye defense has given pocket passing quarterbacks problems all year long, and Saturday should be no different. So, the Hoosiers success will be all about how Chappell can handle the pressure and if he can make big throws against the athletic Buckeye secondary.

When Ohio State has the ball, it once again comes down to Terrelle Pryor. Kirlew and Middleton will bring pressure (expect it), and the Buckeyes cannot afford Pryor losing big chunks of yards while trying to make ESPN highlights.

While the IU secondary is experienced, they have given up quite a bit through the air, and Pryor needs to take advantage. If he stays patient and also uses his backs and tight ends, the Hoosiers will have a hard time stopping the offense.

The other big note is the increase in carries for Brandon Saine. Indiana has been very tough against the run, and it will be important for the offensive line to open up holes for him. Last week he looked like the premiere back against Illinois, and that kind of tough running is needed by the Buckeyes (especially around the goal line).

Settling for field goals on the road against any opponent does not work, so pounding the ball in is important.

Overall, the game will be interesting to watch, especially since the Buckeyes are a little banged up and will be missing Kurt Coleman. It's hard to believe that the Hoosiers are serious Big Ten contenders though, or that they have enough raw talent to put up major points against one of the best defenses in the country.

Tressel was known for his night game blues a few years ago, especially against lesser opponents, but it seems like he and the team are out for blood. In years past the Buckeyes have at times played to level of their opponent, but this team seems different, especially because of the defense.

Because of that defense the Buckeyes will win the turnover battle along with the field position war, which should propel the offensive to grabbing a victory.

Father vs. Son Prediction Battle

Dave: OSU 31-17
Drew: OSU 27-7