#Buckeyes Preview 10.2.15: Ohio State @ Indiana Hoosiers

By @jddisantis

This Saturday the Ohio State Buckeyes will open up Big Ten play by traveling to Bloomington, Indiana to play the Hoosiers of Indiana University. This game will showcase two undefeated teams as both sit at 4-0 and look to gain more control atop of the Big Ten East standings.
Ohio State's offense finally showed some life as Cardale Jones played better, but still showed inconsistencies, especially in the second half against Western Michigan.  Although throwing for 288 yards and two touchdowns against the Broncos, Jones also threw an interception and fumbled.

Ezekiel Elliot continued to play well rushing for 124 yards at 7.8 yards per carry clip.  Elliot has over 100 yards in every game this year to go along with five touchdowns.  Despite his success last week it was the second time this year Ohio State failed to get Zeke 20 touches.  Ohio State will be at their best when Elliot is getting the ball early and often and the Buckeyes can dictate the pace and flow of the game.

The Indiana Hoosiers boast some firepower of their own and are 4-0 for the first time since 1990. They will look to improve to 5-0 behind the nations leading rusher and the Big Tens co-offensive player of the week, Jordan Howard.  Howard ran for 168 yards and a touchdown in a win against Wake Forest last week.  Unlike the Buckeyes the Hoosiers have been focused and committed to getting Howard his touches giving him the ball 20 or more times in each game this season and over 30 the last two weeks.

While Howard is running, 6-6 senior quarterback Nate Sudfeld will be throwing as he has over 1100 yards on the year to go along with 7 touchdowns to just one interception,  Thanks to Howard and Sudfeld the Hoosiers are averaging 38.2 points and 522 yards per game.

While showing an ability to score on offense, the Hoosier defense has yet to stop anyone this year.  Indiana is giving up a whopping 499 yards along 32 points per game.  Add to that the suspension of one of the Hoosiers top interior defensive lineman, tackle Darius Latham, and Indiana could see those awful defensive numbers get worse.

This weekend the Hoosiers have a chance to shock the world by knocking off the nations number one ranked team and defending national champion Buckeyes.  With a chance to move to 5-0 for the first time since 1967 Indiana will be primed and ready for Saturday afternoon against the Buckeyes.  Ohio State will try to extend the nations longest winning streak while continuing to iron out the wrinkles on offense.  If the Silver Bullets can continue to dominate on defense while creating opportunities for the offense the Buckeyes shouldn't have a problem returning home to Columbus with a victory.


What: Ohio State vs. Indiana
Where:  Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Indiana
When:  Saturday, 10/3/15 at 3:30ET on ABC
Line:  OSU -21.5, O/U 66.5