The game most likely turns on Ohio State’s offensive line against Indiana’s defensive front, the same matchup that decided last year’s 13-10 Big Ten title game. No. 4 Ohio State (5-1) visits No. 5 Indiana (6-0) on Saturday at noon ET on FOX. Phillip Daniels returns at right tackle, while Austin Siereveld is out for a second straight game.
Indiana sacked Julian Sayin five times last December and held Ohio State to 58 rushing yards. Both rosters have changed, but the question hasn’t: can the Buckeyes’ line hold up?
Last Year’s Lesson
Last year’s title game left a clear blueprint. Ohio State was 4-of-12 on third down, struggled in the red zone, and Sayin was pressured all night. Sayin said afterward, “It starts with me.” Indiana’s front took advantage, and it’s the reason Ryan Day called its defensive line “one of the biggest challenges we’ll have all season.”
The Matchup by the Numbers
| Indiana’s defense (through six games) | Ohio State’s offense |
|---|---|
| 75.0 rushing yards allowed per game | 207 rushing yards on 48 carries vs. Maryland |
| 2.3 yards allowed per carry | 160 rushing yards at Iowa |
| 20 sacks (about 3.3 per game) | 11 sacks allowed through six games |
| Opponents convert 31.8% of third downs | 5-of-13 on third down vs. Maryland |
| Big Ten’s best run defense | 71.4% on fourth down this season |
Ohio State did go 3-for-3 on fourth down against Maryland, a sign of progress in short yardage. But the Buckeyes ran for only 94 yards at Texas in Week 2, and the third-down numbers against Maryland show the work that remains.
Ohio State’s Line: Who’s In, Who’s Out
Wednesday’s availability report cleared up some of the uncertainty:
- Out: Siereveld, who missed the Maryland game with a non-football illness, and running back Ja’Kobi Jackson.
- Returning: Daniels, who missed four games, isn’t on the report. He replaces Siereveld at right tackle, and Gabe VanSickle moves back to guard.
- Also back: Receivers Brandon Inniss and Devin McCuin, linebacker Christian Alliegro and nickelback Jay Timmons aren’t listed either.
- Questionable: Receiver Brock Boyd, running back Isaiah West, defensive end Khary Wilder and tackle Deontae Armstrong.
With Ja’Kobi Jackson out, Bo Jackson returns to a starting role and will carry a heavy load. Seniors Luke Montgomery and Carson Hinzman also return to the line, and Indiana native Ian Moore starts at left tackle. This is only the first of four reports this week, so check back before kickoff.
Indiana’s Front: A Familiar Foe
Indiana’s defensive line is deep. Ends Stephen Daley and Tobi Osunsanmi each have five sacks, and tackles Tyrique Tucker and Mario Landino add pressure inside. Last season the Hoosiers led the FBS with 129 tackles for loss and had the second-most sacks.
They aren’t unbeatable. Nebraska ran for 128 yards on them last Saturday, only the second time a team topped 100 against Indiana this season. And Indiana’s pass coverage isn’t as dominant as its front: it ranks 64th nationally in passing yards allowed per game. The Hoosiers win by pressure, so giving Sayin time is the key to unlocking Jeremiah Smith.
Sayin’s Growth
Sayin says he’s a different quarterback. He said preparing for Indiana has meant constant communication with the line about how Ohio State will handle different fronts, and on avoiding sacks, he said “I think I’ve developed in that area a lot,” including knowing when to throw the ball away.
The numbers back some of that. In three Big Ten games, Sayin has completed 60 of 84 passes for 933 yards and 12 total touchdowns. But 11 sacks in six games shows the pressure problem hasn’t gone away.
Four Keys to Saturday
- Win third down. Indiana’s defense gives up few conversions, so staying on schedule matters.
- Keep the run game alive. Even four or five yards a carry keeps Indiana from pinning its ears back.
- Communicate on the line. Indiana uses stunts, twists and disguised pressures, so recognition matters as much as strength.
- Don’t blow the one-on-ones. Day said Indiana forces you to win individual matchups, and every missed block is a sack.
My Take
I think Ohio State is a better team than last year’s line suggests, and the offense has scored at least 31 points in every Big Ten game. But the Buckeyes’ line has been uneven, and Siereveld’s absence matters. If Daniels settles in and the line gives Sayin time, Ohio State’s explosive offense takes over. If not, Indiana’s front will make it ugly.
