Ohio State is all set to host the Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday, and whereas that may usually be handled virtually like one other bye-week to get wholesome for the sport the next week in opposition to Michigan, the roles are reversed between the 2 applications. It is Indiana that is undefeated and the Wolverines who’ve but to grow to be bowl-eligible this late within the season.
And whereas OSU has owned Indiana all through historical past with a 79-12-5 document, this one is a high 5 matchup with Large Ten championship and Faculty Soccer Playoff implications at stake.
As with all huge collision of high groups any school soccer season, this recreation will hinge on particular issues we’ll be capable of level to when all of the mud settles. It may very well be a bounce of the ball, an well timed or premature break, or it may very well be how one place group performs that spells the distinction between victory and defeat.
In that vein, listed below are 5 keys to Ohio State beating Indiana at excessive Midday ET on Saturday.
Get strain on Kurtis O’Rourke
What must occur
Kurtis O’Rourke has been awfully good for Indiana this season. With out him below heart, the Hoosiers would not be almost as explosive on offense as they’ve been. Ohio State has reworked a few of its scheme and strain packages for the reason that loss to Oregon and it has paid dividends with the next strain price as of late.
That has to proceed on Saturday or O’Rourke may have an excessive amount of time to select a receiving corps that has been actually good in 2024. Even when the entrance seven does not get dwelling and log a bunch of sacks and tackles for loss, that group has to at the very least make him really feel as if the partitions are closing in to hurry up his reads and affect the ball getting out in time.
Management the road of scrimmage with physicality
What must occur
Michigan was capable of put a scare in Indiana (that sounds so bizarre to say) as a result of it was capable of be extra bodily, it simply did not have the ability on offense to complete the job. Ohio State ought to take a look at that blueprint and attempt to replicate the way in which the Wolverines had been capable of lean on Indiana within the trenches on each side of the ball and make like troublesome, particularly as the sport bought longer within the tooth.
Indiana has been excellent on each side of the ball, however the ability and depth isn’t the place it’s with Ohio State and if this recreation stays tight, OSU has the personnel and our bodies to put on down Indiana with a bodily model of soccer, all the way in which to victory within the second half.
Do not flip the ball over
What must occur
Ohio State is favored by double digits on this one, suggesting that Vegas does not trust in Indiana’s means to go toe-to-toe with the Buckeyes for the whole recreation. Nonetheless, one method to show the sensible guys within the desert incorrect is to be extra charitable than Mom Theresa by coughing the ball up.
Extra possessions means extra possibilities in plus territory normally to attain factors and equalize a roster that does not fairly have the expertise sitting on the Scarlet and Grey sideline. It will be excellent to win the turnover battle, however a stalemate would possibly even be sufficient on this one. OSU can ill-afford to lose that battle.
Get Will Howard concerned within the floor recreation
What must occur
Will Howard has been unbelievable for Ohio State thus far this season. His accuracy and decision-making within the quick to medium passing recreation has been next-level, and I do not suppose he will get sufficient credit score for his means to throw the deep ball.
But it surely’s his means to get issues crankin’ on the bottom that could be the distinction on this one. Clearly, Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson must have a strong day, however including Howard into the combo on the bottom will make for another man to account for and open up further working lanes.
It is late within the 12 months and it is time to unleash the working means Howard confirmed at Kansas State somewhat extra as a result of the video games are significant now.
Restrict the massive play on protection
What must occur
Indiana has made a residing off of huge performs this 12 months. The scheme on offense is an efficient one which makes use of mismatches and area. Michigan was capable of clamp down a bit on that and Ohio State must do the identical.
We will not have the identical OSU protection that bought off the bus in Eugene present up on Saturday, however as a substitute, we’d like the one which traveled to Blissful Valley and restricted an explosive Penn State offense. If the Buckeyes can drive Indiana to drive down the sector and get off schedule, it’s going to be lots simpler to maintain a bottle on the Hoosiers’ means to attain in bunches and make this one simpler to drag out.
This text initially appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State soccer vs Indiana: 5 keys to a Buckeyes’ victory
