The Indiana football program is set to take on No. 6 Ohio State on Saturday, and this is everything you need to know about the matchup.
The Hoosiers are now 2-0 after stomping the Eastern Illinois Panthers by a score of 52-0. This was a huge confidence booster for an Indiana football team that’s going into one of its toughest matchups of the season versus the Buckeyes.
The Hoosiers have not beat the Buckeyes in their last 23 matchups. The last time the Hoosiers came out with a win against Ohio St. was in 1988.
News came out after Thursday’s practice concerning a mysterious injury of Michael Penix Jr. Coach Tom Allen wouldn’t give any specifics but Penix will be a game-time decision on Saturday. Coach Allen said that something wasn’t feeling right but didn’t elaborate on the nature on the injury. He did say it wasn’t something that would hold him out long-term, however.
Ohio State enters the matchup after a 13-1 season in 2018, that included a Big Ten Championship. That season was under QB Dwayne Haskins and Coach Urban Meyer. This year however, Ohio State has Ryan Day who was a quarterback’s coach for 2 years with the Eagles and 49ers and has been with the Ohio State staff since 2017.
On the field, the Buckeyes acquired the top ranked recruit of the 2018 class in Justin Fields. He transferred from Georgia after his freshman campaign in which the keys to the Georgia offense was handed to Jake Fromm.
Fields has 458 yards in the air, completing 76 percent of his passes this season so far and has turned that into six touchdowns. On the ground, he has 103 yards and a stellar three touchdowns.
Penix has 523 yards in the air completing 63.3 percent of his passes so far with three touchdowns. On the ground, he has 79 yards rushing.
IF Penix can’t go Saturday, it is thought that quarterback Peyton Ramsey would start in his place. During his sophomore campaign, Ramsey threw for 2,875 yards in the air in all12 games he started, with 19 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions. Ramsey is Indiana’s all-time completion percentage leader with a percentage of 65.8.
Storylines
Indiana: Will Michael Penix Jr. play on Saturday? I believe he is the difference maker if the Hoosiers have any chance to win this game. The offense showed that it has the potential to light up the scoreboard after a 52-point performance but can they get it done against a defense the caliber of Ohio State? Can Nick Westbrook and Whop Philyor penetrate against five-star cornerback Jeffrey Okudah and four star Damon Arnette?
Ohio State: Will Justin Fields be able to handle the pressure from the Hoosier defense and crowd in his first ever away start? (Threw only one pass at away stadium during entire season at Georgia.) The Ohio State offense needs to keep the momentum going and secure a large lead from the opening kickoff to ensure this game is over in the early quarters.
How To Watch: Game Time, T.V., Radio, More
Kickoff Time – 12:00 PM EST
Where: Bloomington, IN
T.V. – Fox
Radio – HoosiersTV, TuneIn
Online Stream – Fox Sports App
Betting Odds: Spread, O/U
Opening Line: Ohio State -14
Current Line: Ohio State –18
Opening O/U: 61
Current O/U: 60