Ohio State vs. Indiana 2020 Football Preview And Prediction

It’s the first time Ohio State and Indiana will match up as top-ten opponents. See our keys to the game and how we see it playing out.

Ohio State game plan for victory

Ohio State is coming off an unexpected bye week after coronavirus concerns on the Maryland football team. The Buckeyes have been cruising for the most part, but will a week off affect their play?

Ohio State will again rely heavily on Heisman contending quarterback, Justin Fields. As Fields has gone, so has the Buckeye offense. Through three games in the season, Fields has the same amount of touchdown passes as incompletions with 11 of each. That pace won’t keep up… but then again, 2020 has been a strange year.

We would still like to see the run game be dominant as in years past or at least consistent. Master Teague has become the unquestioned No. 1 back as Trey Sermon is still learning to trust a knee that was surgically repaired after an ACL tear last year while playing at Oklahoma.

Defensively, Ohio State will face another very talented quarterback whose confidence is growing by the week. Michael Penix Jr has improved his throwing ability in each game this year. After throwing for just 170 yards in an opening win against Penn State, the IU QB has thrown for over 300 yards in his last two games, both wins over Michigan and Michigan State.

The young Buckeye secondary will again be challenged as Penix Jr. will look to sling it around against a unit that has been suspect at times three games into the season. Ty Fryfogle and Whop Philyor can both take stretch it downfield. This means it will be even more important that the OSU front gets some pressure on Penix Jr.

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Next … The key players for Ohio State

Two Key Players For Ohio State

Justin Fields – Quarterback. Justin Fields again will again need to carry the weight of the Buckeye offense. Until the running game can find some consistency, Fields will continue to work through his progressions and run when needed. Indiana is ranked in the top 20 in total defense. To stay in that elite ranking, they’ll face the next to impossible task of slowing Justin Fields and company.

Sevyn Banks – Cornerback: Sevyn Banks is a guy who has been waiting his turn behind some incredibly gifted OSU corners. Now the Buckeye secondary will face an Indiana team with two downfield threats. Shaun Wade will have one, Banks the other. For Ohio State to be successful this weekend, Banks and the rest of BIA will have to step up and play well.

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Next … How it’ll all do down

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