Ohio State and Indiana play a football game on Saturday at Noon in Bloomington. This is a matchup of top-5 teams that will have ramifications for the rankings. It is strange to think of Indiana being very good at football. The defending national champions in football are a traditional power in basketball. There is no diubt, Curt Cignetti, who is the head coach of the football team, has done an excellent job.
There is about a seven-in-ten chance the Ohio State goes into Bloomington and gets a win. Indiana is not as strong as it was last season in football. Right now, the Buckeyes are a 3.5-point underdog. They tend to struggle when they are the underdog, but it is a good move this week to bet on the Buckeyes. Do you think that the Buckeyes have much of a chance?
#4 Ohio State Against #5 Indiana Preview
Even though Ohio State isn’t a betting favorite right now, they are likely too talented for a team that struggled at Nebraska. The real question is whether famously grumpy Indians head coach Curt Cignetti will actually smile. There are four things to know about what should be a good football game.
Will The Buckeyes Clean Up The Penalties and Turnovers?
Against an overmatched Maryland team, Ohio State committed eight penalties, fumbled twice, and threw a pick six interception. They cannot afford to make this many mistakes against a good Indiana team on the road. Look for the amount of mistakes made by the teams Saturday to determine the outcome of the game. You can bet Ryan Day, and the coaching staff are emphasizing clean play at practice this week.
If there is one annoying problem about Ohio State this year, it is the high rate of penalties they have been assessed. It seems they are consantly jumping offsides, and blocking people in the back on kick returns. That is a good example, the Buckeyes have struggled mightily of Special Teams this season. Indiana, on the other hand, is much better. Special teams can ductate the outcome of this game.
Will Curt Cignetti Smile?
Indiana head football coach Curt Cignetti is infamous for his dour expression. Indiana defeted Ohio State last season in route to winning a national championship, and still he did not smile. This game is not likely to make him happy. His Hoosiers are talented, but not as talented as the Buckeyes. That talent should lead Ohio State to victory, if they play it.
Will the Buckeye Freshmen Play a Big Role?
Some of the best players for Ohio State have been on the bench this season. Ryan Day has said that these talented players, freshmen, Karhe Wilder and Legend Bey, have been riding the pine for disciplanary reasons. Both might be immature, Bey was clocked driving 96 miles per hour. However, they are two of the best performers for the Buckeyes. Bey, in particular is electric.
Bey has the potential to score every time he touches the ball. He is possibly to complementary weapon to Jeremiah Smith. Sith thinks so. He said Bey could be the next Heisman Trophy winner for the Buckeyes. The Ohio State offense has been struggling this season a bit, Bey could be the answer. He could also be the answer for the poor Ohio State special teams. Wilder, is a talented defensive lineman. He could boost the pass rush. It will be interesting to see if these two reshmen are going to play a large role in Bloomington.
Streaking Hoosiers
There are a couple of streaks of which to be cignizant for the game. First, the Fernando Mendoza replacement, Josh Hoover, has yet to throw an interception this season. He is a transfer from Texas Christain University. He has not faced a secondary as talented as that of Ohio State’s. Second, Indiana has won twenty-two consecutive games, uncluding beating the Buckeyes in last year’s college football playoff. With a home game, it may be thought the Hoosiers will extend their streak, but the Buckeyes should win a close one.
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