Ohio State-Indiana consequence may come right down to this unit

No different crew has confronted the gauntlet of assessments No. 2 Ohio State has this season. On Saturday at house, the Buckeyes will face their third top-five opponent, taking up unbeaten Indiana (10-0) in presumably the largest soccer sport in Hoosiers historical past.

Below first-year Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti, No. 5 Indiana is off to one of the best begin in class historical past. With an explosive offense averaging 43.9 factors, Indiana has dominated most of its opponents.

Nonetheless, the Hoosiers haven’t confronted a crew of Ohio State’s caliber. Indiana’s most notable wins have come in opposition to Michigan (5-5) and Washington (4-4), groups that bear no resemblance to the faculties’ School Soccer Playoff groups from final season.

In distinction, the Buckeyes misplaced at No. 1 Oregon 32-31 on Oct.12 and have since outscored opponents 117-37 — that stretch features a 20-13 highway win over No. 4 Penn State. Thanks largely to a protection that has allowed simply 10.3 factors per sport, Ohio State leads the nation in margin of victory (27.5).

With a visit to the Huge Ten Championship sport — and maybe the School Soccer Playoff — on the road, the stakes for the Buckeyes couldn’t be increased. Their key to a victory will lie closely on one main issue: protection.

Towards Indiana’s high-powered offense — ranked second within the nation for scoring to Miami — defensive coordinator Jim Knowles should maintain his unit sharp, beginning with cornerbacks Denzel Burke and Davison Igbinosun. 

Ohio State’s corners have been inconsistent in man-to-man protection, and opponents have uncovered this weak spot in almost each sport because the loss to Oregon.

Though Ohio State boasts the nation’s prime scoring protection, it ranks sixth in passing yards allowed (160.1 YPG), a possible Achilles’ heel in opposition to Indiana’s high-powered offense. Quarterback Kurtis Rourke (71.8 completion proportion) has performed effectively and can possible take deep pictures, testing Ohio State’s secondary with one of many cleanest offenses in school soccer.

Whereas Indiana’s offensive line confirmed some vulnerability beneath strain from Michigan’s go rush in its final outing, the Hoosiers come into this sport well-rested after a bye week. With time to recharge and research movie, they’ll be ready for the robust problem awaiting them in Columbus.

For Ohio State to maintain Rourke in verify, cornerbacks Burke and Igbinosun should lock down Indiana’s passing sport. If they’ll ship, together with defensive playmakers Caleb Downs, (security), Sonny Types (security) and Jack Sawyer (defensive finish) exhibiting up massive, the protection could possibly be the distinction in securing a giant win Saturday.