Ohio State walked off the field Saturday with a 45-16 win, a 5-1 record and an unbeaten Big Ten mark. Then the schedule turned the page, and the next page says Indiana.
The Hoosiers are 6-0 after a 20-17 win at Nebraska, and they beat the Buckeyes 13-10 in last season’s Big Ten Championship Game. The rematch is set for October 17 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. A comfortable score can hide a lot, and the Maryland game hid three things every Buckeyes fan should be watching this week.
1. Jeremiah Smith Is Still Carrying the Passing Game
Before Maryland, Ryan Day wanted Julian Sayin to look beyond Smith when defenses lean his way. With captain Brandon Inniss and Devin McCuin both sidelined, it was the perfect chance. It didn’t happen. Smith finished with four catches for 93 yards and two touchdowns. Brock Boyd had no catches, Chris Henry Jr. had one for 46 yards, and LSU transfer Kyle Parker had one for 16.
That matters because Indiana has seen this movie. In last year’s title game, Smith and Carnell Tate combined for 12 catches and 189 yards, and Ohio State still scored only 10 points. Day says a good portion of the injured starters should be back, but not all of them. The depth question isn’t settled yet.
2. The Tight Ends Just Became a Real Weapon
Here’s the good news. With the top receivers out, the tight ends delivered. Nate Roberts caught a 68-yard touchdown, the longest catch of his career, and Mason Williams had two catches and a score. Roberts said afterward that the position group was challenged to step up once the injuries became clear in pregame, and it did.
If the receiver injuries linger, this group moves from bonus to necessity. Indiana pressured Sayin all night in the title game. More trusted targets means he has somewhere to go when the first read is covered.
3. The Run Game Is Improving, but It’s About to Hit a Wall
Ohio State averaged 4.3 yards per carry against Maryland. Bo Jackson’s 25-yard touchdown was the team’s longest run since the season opener against Ball State. And it came after captain and starting lineman Austin Siereveld was ruled out just hours before kickoff, which forced last-minute changes up front.
Indiana is a different test. Sports Illustrated reports the Hoosiers are allowing just 2.3 yards per carry through six games. In the title game, Indiana held Ohio State’s rushing attack to 2.2 yards per carry. Day said Siereveld is day-to-day for Indiana and expects Phillip Daniels to have a full week of practice and be able to play. The offensive line’s health could decide whether the run game shows up Saturday.
What to Watch This Week
- The receiver injury report. Is Inniss back? McCuin? The answer shapes the whole passing plan.
- The offensive line. Siereveld and Daniels matter more than any headline.
- Penalties and turnovers. Eight penalties and two turnovers didn’t hurt against Maryland. Against Indiana, they could decide it.
My Take
Ohio State has the talent to win this game. The Buckeyes also have real questions at receiver, up front, and in the details Day was so upset about. None of it is unfixable, and a week of preparation helps. But the margin against Indiana is thin, and last year’s 13-10 result is proof of how thin.
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