Waiting an extra week for a game after the Maryland cancellation wasn't fun but the payoff comes Saturday as the Buckeyes not only get back at it, but do so against a top-10 opponent in Indiana.
The pleasant surprise in the conference, Tom Allen's troops are 4-0 for just the seventh time in school history and their No. 9 ranking is the program's best since 1967.
A high-flying passing attack led by quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has keyed Indiana's hot start as well as an opportunistic defense.
Ryan Day and select players met with the media yesterday to discuss the matchup.
"He's really playing mistake-free.. He's made some really big time throws in tight spots and he’s playing fearless."– Ohio state head coach Ryan Day on Indiana quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
Ryan Day was extremely complimentary of Penix Jr. and rightfully so as the sophomore has thrown for over 300 yards in the last two games and has 11 touchdowns (9 passing, 2 rushing) through four games.
An outstanding pair of receivers in Ty Fryfogle and Whop Philyor have combined for 48 catches and 711 yards, or 53% of Penix Jr.'s completions and 66% of his passing yards.
Despite all the accolades, Penix Jr.'s season-to-date is not without a few warts. He's thrown three interceptions in 150 attempts and his 60.7% completion rate ranks No. 64 in the land.
For comparison, Justin Fields has three interceptions dating back to the beginning of last season, or 437 passing attempts and his completion percentage of 86.7 through three games in 2020 leads the nation.
To Day's point, there's no doubt Penix Jr. has made some big time throws and is a fearless competitor but there's also the reality he's capable of making mistakes and having accuracy issues such as during his 19-for-36 effort (53%) against Penn State in the season opener.
As much as Penix Jr. is the deserving headliner during an undefeated start, indiana's defense is also a major storyline.
"I would describe their defense as very hard working. They just bring it every time.. We'll be ready for it (the pass rush). We'll make sure that we'll be ready for it.– Ohio State left tackle Thayer Munford on Indiana's defense
If by "hard working" Munford means "turnover machine" then I'm on board with that statement.
The Hoosiers defense ranks No. 2 in the country forcing 3.0 turnovers per game after creating a modest 1.4 a season ago (No. 64). A whopping 10 interceptions are chiefly responsible for the elite turnover rate.
Give credit where its due but it is worth pointing out those 10 picks have come against a murderer's row of Sean Clifford (2 INT), Noah Vedral (3), Joe Milton (2), Payton Thorne (1) and Rocky Lombardi (2).
Against that quarterback lineup, Indiana has the nation's 40th-best passing yards allowed per game average at 209.8.
On Saturday, it feels like Indiana's offense will put up some points but will the Hoosiers defense be able to remotely slow down Fields, Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and company?
Fields comes in averaging 302 passing yards per game with Olave and Wilson accounting for 211 of those. No doubt, the secondary will have its hands full with those two.
Indiana's pass rush can give the secondary some help if it can pressure Fields and will therefore be a key matchup to keep an eye on. The Hoosiers rank No. 22 in the country averaging 3.0 sacks per game after posting 2.0 per contest a season ago. Meanwhile, Ohio State is giving up 2.33 sacks per game, good for just 74th-best in the land.
If Ohio State handles the pass rush, Indiana's defense could be in a for a long day. If not, this game could get a bit more interesting that Buckeye fans want it to be.
