This Saturday's Week 7 clash between the Indiana Hoosiers and Ohio State Buckeyes has the potential to deliver plenty of fireworks. Ohio State is ranked No. 4 and Indiana is ranked No. 5, and both teams are eyeing another National Championship run. Heading into this highly-anticipated matchup, the Indiana defense is on the verge of accomplishing something that no team has done since 1993.
After going a perfect 16-0 last season and starting the new campaign with a 6-0 record, the Hoosiers enter the Ohio State game riding a 22-game winning streak. The streak has been kept alive thanks in large part to the dominating performances the IU defense has put forward. More specifically, the Hoosier defense has held opposing offenses to 24 points or fewer in all 22 of those games.
Per Novig, Indiana's streak of limiting opposing offenses to 24 points or fewer is tied for the longest in college football history. The record currently belongs to Florida, who held 22 straight opponents to 24 points or fewer from 2008-09. Alabama is third on the list by holding 19 consecutive opponents to 24 points or fewer from 2009-10.
Given the elite results that Indiana's defense has seen under defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, Hoosier fans have to like their chances of claiming the record on Saturday afternoon against Ohio State. But it won't be easy.
Ohio State's offense gives the Hoosiers a lot to worry about
The Buckeyes own one of the most prolific offenses in all of college football. Ohio State enters Week 7 ranking 8th nationally in yards per game (503.5), and 7th in points per game (42.7). Julian Sayin is off to a tremendous start, as he's completing 71.2% of his passes for 1,772 yards and 17 touchdowns with just two interceptions. He also has a lethal weapon at his disposal in star WR Jeremiah Smith.
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Through six games, Smith has already racked up 48 catches for 916 yards and 11 touchdowns. All of those marks rank 2nd in the country. Smith is an electric playmaker with a big 6'4" 255-pound frame, which presents a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. If Indiana wants to take down Ohio State, limiting his effectiveness will undoubtedly play a major role in this game.
The Buckeye rushing attack is led by Bo Jackson, who has accumulated 460 yards and four touchdowns on 89 carries. Ja'Kobi Jackson has also been effective, going for 354 yards and a team-leading 6.0 yards per carry and six scores. No matter where you look, the Buckeyes have elite playmakers capable to lighting up the scoreboard in a hurry.
Indiana's secondary has sprung some leaks through the first half of the season, so it's imperative that things get buttoned up for this one. Reaching 23 games of limiting opposing offenses to 24 points or fewer would be quite the accomplishment, and it would be made even more impressive by doing it agaisnt such a lethal OSU offense. But at the end of the day, all the Hoosiers want is a win.
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