Apparently, the boys in Vegas like the Ohio State Buckeyes making them a 22 point favorite (give or take half a point) over the Indiana Hoosier. And why wouldn’t they? Sure, I was a little frustrated after last weeks close finish against Illinois, but we’re talking about a team with a defense almost as bad as Michigan’s. Coach Tressel said in yesterday’s press conference that Pryor should be back to 100 percent by game time adding that he’s not sure what 100 percent it at this point in the season.
Unfortunately, the Buckeyes are going to have to do it without Tyler Moeller who’s out of the season. What a heartbreak. Moeller returned this year showing little sign of the head injury he suffered last year and was turning into a powerful force on defense.
As for Indiana, expect them to pass the ball. That’s what they do — pass the ball. Indiania quarterback Ben Chappell threw the ball 64 times last Saturday completing 45 of those passes for a total 480 yards. Granted, this was against what passes for defense in Ann Arbor but 480 yards passing? The good news is that Michigan did eek an interception out of Chappell, his first of the season.
Knowing they want to pass means that the Buckeye defense is going to need to take the run out of the game all together. Once they do, pressuring the quarterback and forcing mistakes will be key to shutting down the Hoosiers. Although the Buckeyes are going to miss Moeller, there is enough depth at defense to give Indiana fits. No question they will be tested as this is the first big passing team we’ve come up against this season.
On the other side of the ball however, Indiana’s defense is well…Indian’s defense and they’re especially pathetic against the run. They gave up 227 yards on the ground to Townson and Denard Robinson all but secured his Heisman trophy against the Hoosiers putting up a total of 277 yards on the ground himself. Worse than that, the Hoosier defense has shown about zero ability to pressure the quarterback. Pryor should have all the time he needs to read his receivers, then go back and read them again just to be sure.
All this bodes well for the Buckeyes. Although Pryor may be back to health, there’s no need to push him. It will also give Herron/Sane/whoever a chance to continue to find their groove and give the offensive line the chance to open the holes they need to do so. Expect to see more of the running game we saw last week against Illinois only this time, expect the backs to punch through.
Buckeyes will force turnovers as Indiana meets their first true defense of the year. Tressel will look to a big running game as he works to keep the Indiana offense off the field and if the opportunity arises, maybe we’ll even see a little Evil Tressel this weekend. We definitely could use a few style points after last weeks game against Illinois.
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Just to wet your appetite – got a little insight into the special teams today and they served up some video of what they saw against Indiana. I’m not going to say what’s what, but expect a dominating performance on that side of the ball.
I honestly think, at some point, we should experiment with putting Jamaal Berry in a Wildcat formation. The kid can pick a lane and run better than any other of our backs. Besides, who wouldn’t mark out over the formation, “Wild Berry?”
This is great, thanks for all the inside skinny. I took a poll from the local cable co. and one of the questions was , where do you get your sports info? It was multiple choice and I picked internet.
With info like this I almost want to go place a bet, but i’m not a gambling man.
Indiana no problem, It’s next week going to Wisconson that concerns me a little. We don’t seem to play well up there. I just looked at the schedule and after Indiana the season half over. Dam that was quick. I just would like to see one more quality opponent early on, instead of the week sisters. That would go a long way in the BCS voting. I would like to a SEC team. Oh well, keep the info coming and go Buckeye’s