GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP:
Ohio State’s defense, gouged for 492 yards last week by Penn State’s offense, will attempt to regroup this week against Indiana. The Hoosiers have shown they can move the ball while compiling a 4-1 record. Indiana QB Peyton Ramsey, an Ohio native, leads the Big Ten with a 71.0 completion percentage and freshman RB Stevie Scott ranks fourth in the conference in rushing with 464 yards on 98 carries, with 204 yards coming in a win over Virginia. Indiana’s offense is averaging 28.2 points and 412.1 total yards per game but hasn’t faced a team the caliber of Ohio State this season. DE Chase Young was a standout last week against Penn State and could wreak some havoc again Saturday. The Buckeyes’ linebackers have yet to play at the level of previous years, though LBs Malik Harrison and Tuf Borland were two of the leading tacklers last week with eight each. The next few games should provide some chances for the linebackers to improve against lesser opponents before bigger games at the end of the season.
DRAFT SLANT
–QB Dwayne Haskins is a redshirt sophomore who would be eligible to enter the 2019 NFL Draft. If his stock continues to rise, it’s conceivable that he could bolt after just one season as Ohio State’s starter. NFLDraftScout’s Rob Rang listed Haskins as one of his five draft risers last week, writing that Haskins did more to impress him in the win at Penn State than he did in the previous four games when he had 16 touchdown passes and one interception. With more performances such as Saturday’s against the Nittany Lions (22-of-39, 270 yards, three touchdowns), Haskins will increasingly impress NFL scouts not only with his talent but with his resiliency.
ROSTER REPORT:
–S Isaiah Pryor will miss the first half of Saturday’s game against Indiana after he was ejected for targeting in the win last week over Penn State. Coach Urban Meyer said the crown of the helmet was not used, but he was told that he is not able to appeal the call.
–DT Dre’Mont Jones (ankle) is considered “very probable” for Saturday’s Big Ten matchup against Indiana, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said this week. Jones was injured in last week’s 27-26 win at Penn State.
–CB Damon Arnette is probable for Ohio State on Saturday against Indiana after suffering an apparent concussion last week in the 27-26 victory at Penn State.
===
