The last time the Indiana Hoosiers met the Ohio State Buckeyes on the gridiron, the Hoosiers prevailed in a 13-10 rock fight in last year's Big Ten Championship Game. It was a momentous victory for the Cream and Crimson, and served as the postseason starting point for Indiana's National Championship run in the College Football Playoff.
The Buckeyes are now looking for revenge as they head to Bloomington for a highly-anticipated Week 7 clash. This matchup could ultimately decide the fate of the Big Ten this season, and will undoubtedly have an impact on the CFP picture. If the Hoosiers want to take down the Buckeyes again, here are three things they must get right on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
1. The running game has to get going again
Through the first five games of the season, the Indiana running game was humming. Both Turbo Richard and Lee Beebe Jr. were finding big chunks of yards early and often, which took pressure off of Josh Hoover's shoulders and put the Hoosier offense in great spots. But in Week 6 against Nebraska, the running game was non-existent. The Hoosiers managed a season-low 65 yards on 22 carries, and didn't record a rushing touchdown for the first time this season.
Heading into Saturday's matchup against Ohio State, the running game has to get going again. The Hoosiers are at their best when the running game is consistent and reliable, and the combination of Richard and Beebe give Indiana a solid 1-2 punch in the backfield. Playing complimentary football will be key, and the running game plays a huge part in that effort.
2. Indiana must get to Ohio State QB Julian Sayin
Julian Sayin is one of the most efficient passers in all of college football. He led the nation with a completion percentage of 77% last season, and is completing 71.2% of his passes through six games so far this season. The Hoosiers have plenty of talent and depth on the defensive front, and winning the battles in the trenches and getting Sayin to the ground will be a key point of emphasis.
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The Ohio State offensive line is banged up, as RG Austin Siereveld, LG Luke Montgomery, and RT Phillip Daniels have all dealt with separate injuries over the past week. Indiana needs to take advantage. Sayin isn't very mobile, so if the Hoosiers can generate pressure early and often to make him uncomfortable, it would help IU's chances of finding the win column.
3. Don't let Jeremiah Smith go crazy
Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith is a matchup nightmare, and he figures to see plenty of targets on Saturday in Bloomington. So far this season, Smith has hauled in 48 catches for 916 yards and 11 touchdowns in six games. He posted back-to-back 200-yard games against Illinois and Iowa earlier this season, and is averaging 19.1 yards per catch. He is arguably the best player in the country, and gives the Hoosier defense plenty to worry about. But Indiana has to prevent him from going crazy.
Smith is going to get his targets. The OSU passing game goes through him, and he has totaled 8+ catches in four games and reached the 85-yard mark in all six games. The key is making someone not named Jeremiah Smith beat Indiana. The Buckeyes haven't had any other receiver step up this season, so if the Hoosiers can keep Smith from going nuclear, the defense could be in good shape. However, that is obviously easier said than done. If Smith's stat line is something along the lines of 6 catches for 80 yards, that's a win for the IU defense. If it's closer to 10 catches for 175 yards, Indiana's win probability drops dramatically. Make someone else step up.
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