Indiana

Highlights From Mike Woodson on ‘Inside Indiana Basketball’ Radio Show

Published

2 years ago

December 13, 2022

Highlights From Mike Woodson on ‘Inside Indiana Basketball’ Radio Show

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana coach Mike Woodson appeared on the weekly radio present ‘Inside Indiana Basketball’ with Don Fischer on Monday evening at Southern Stone Restaurant.

Woodson stayed in Las Vegas for an additional day to host a charity golf match at Shadow Creek Golf Course on Sunday. He stated the occasion offered out and cash went to the Boys and Ladies Membership of Las Vegas. Though climate reduce the outing quick, Woodson was blissful to see about 90 p.c of the individuals had been Indiana followers

“We had been solely capable of get 9 holes in, however that didn’t cease the festivities and having a superb time,” Woodson stated. “We got here again in and had drinks and a few meals and all the pieces was mellow and easy at that time.”

Listed here are some notable feedback from Woodson on Monday evening.

On Indiana’s 81-65 win over Nebraska…

“I simply suppose our consolation degree taking part in right here at house is the place it needs to be.”

“You might simply lose the Rutgers recreation after which come again residence and really feel sorry for your self and lose at residence, however we had a pair days of observe, good practices, and our guys responded.”

“They had been actually locked in and did all the pieces requested from a recreation plan standpoint.”

On Indiana’s 3-point capturing…

“Tamar Bates is beginning to chip in. Miller has been nice. X is able to making them after which Race lastly discovered his stride within the Arizona recreation. He had been struggling till that time.”
Kopp is 23 for 47 on 3-point makes an attempt this yr, good for 48.9 p.c. Bates is 14 for 34 (41.2 p.c), Johnson is 10 for 26 (38.5 p.c), Thompson is 7 for 25 (28 p.c) and Galloway is 6 for 13 (46.2 p.c).
“I feel [Kopp] is comfy now. I feel he’s lastly found out what Indiana basketball is about. I believed coming in it was an eye fixed opener for him … I feel his consolation degree is sky excessive.”
Woodson additionally famous Kopp’s enhancements dealing with the ball and driving to the basket, which he believes is a results of letting everybody deal with the ball and be artistic in observe. “I feel a variety of our guys have gotten higher in that space.”
Woodson stated Tamar Bates is trying extra assured this season. “He’s beginning to determine it out, which is form of good … He’s making pictures, and I’ve obtained to get him higher defensively.”

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On Indiana’s 89-75 loss to Arizona…

“I believed there have been a variety of unfastened ends, and we didn’t join the dots that brought on us to lose that recreation.”
“They smacked us early, and I used to be form of shocked basked on how we’ve been taking part in.”
Woodson identified that Arizona’s mixture of Oumar Ballo and Azuolas Tubelis out performed Trayce Jackson-Davis and Race Thompson. Ballo and Tubelis mixed for 9 extra factors and 5 extra rebounds.
“We had so many recreation plan errors that we had not been having, and that’s form of alarming for me as a result of I take satisfaction as a coach, it’s on me to verify once we step on the ground, we are able to’t make recreation plan errors. We made them the primary 2-3 minutes, and it carried on for a stretch then it obtained higher. We obtained again to what we had been alleged to be doing.”
“They had been the aggressor.”
“I have a look at the foul scenario, 25 to 9, once more, that’s lopsided while you’ve obtained that many bigs on the ground banging round, our bodies flying round. It shouldn’t be that huge of a distinction, however I’m not blaming it on that. I’m blaming it on us not following the sport plan.”
“I can’t fault effort as a result of they gave effort.”
Don Fischer requested if Woodson thought Indiana had an informal angle going into the sport, to which Woodson responded, “In no way.”
“The sport plan just isn’t all the time going to go good, however you’ve obtained to attenuate it. It might probably’t be 20 recreation plan errors. It may be 5 to 10 a recreation since you’re going to make errors and I get that, nevertheless it was too many.”
“It didn’t assist us that we had 8 turnovers that led to 18 factors. That’s the distinction with the free throws and turnovers and never rebounding the basketball. I’m stunned we had been even within the recreation, actually.”
“For those who take the purpose have a tendency away, then we reduce it to three. Then we come again and we quit a recreation plan mistake by going beneath the display, and so they hit a giant 3 that put them again up six that give them the cushion they wanted.”
Woodson stated Indiana wanted a powerful efficiency from Race Thompson as a result of he knew that Arizona would collapse on Trayce Jackson-Davis within the publish. Thompson completed with 16 factors and 9 rebounds, together with a 4-for-7 evening from 3-point vary. “He obtained in a groove, and he began to make pictures that we predict he could make.”
“I’ll say this. In a bodily recreation like that, we’ve obtained to shoot greater than 9 free throws versus 25. That’s so not proper. I would get a telephone name about making that assertion, however I actually don’t care. That’s simply too lopsided of a recreation with that a lot contact occurring. It might probably’t be that lopsided.”
Woodson stated Arizona is a good group. “There’s a a cause why they’re a high 10 group. They’ve obtained huge time dimension and so they’re huge out entrance, they’re big out entrance …. I like all the pieces about them. They’re nicely coached, he’s finished a hell of a job.”
Woodson was very impressed with Arizona’s entrance courtroom duo. “[Tubelis] unimaginable too, his skillset is terribly excessive. They’ve obtained a one two punch inside that’s exhausting to defend.” Woodson stated he didn’t need to double group due to Arizona’s outdoors shooters.

On Indiana’s observe on Monday…

“We sat and watched a variety of movie at the moment and had a grueling observe. We hadn’t had one. They’re in all probability not proud of me tonight after observe at the moment as a result of I used to be attempting to make a degree by way of we’ve obtained to concentrate to element.”
Woodson stated he put a lid on the basket at observe to emphasise rebounding. “Bob knight by no means frightened about accidents.”
“We’ve gotten a repute round school basketball of a group that performs exhausting and will get after it. We’ve simply obtained to get higher rebounding the ball as a unit, we don’t try this nicely and it’s price us.”
When requested how a group can enhance at rebounding, Woodson responded, “Allow them to knock the hell out of one another. Hear, man, it’s not scientific. When the shot goes up you’ve obtained to go discover a physique and put your physique on that physique to maintain them from rebounding the basketball. For the reason that invention of basketball that’s the way it’s all the time been finished, and it ain’t no completely different at the moment.”

On Trey Galloway…

“He’s been strong, man. I’m considerably taking part in him out of place based mostly on the truth that we’re shorthanded not having Jalen Schifino round. However we form of ready and groomed him for this journey.” Woodson stated he is had Galloway deal with the ball and make extra performs in observe as a way to assist change Hood-Schifino.

On Jalen Hood-Schifino’s well being…

“He’s again on the ground a little bit bit now capturing and shifting round a little bit bit, form of gingerly, however simply the truth that he’s on the ground. I couldn’t even get him on the ground over the previous 4 video games, so it was form of good to see him out at the moment capturing and shifting round.”
“He does a variety of good issues for our ball membership … It could be good to get him again finally, we’re not speeding it. Simply obtained to take it a day at a time and see how he feels, however he’s feeling a lot better and that’s good for our ball membership.”

On Malik Reneau…

“I obtained to search out extra minutes for him that means when he picks two fouls up, I can’t take him out. Simply let him go get three as a result of I feel we have now sufficient help round him with Race and Trayce after which Geronimo taking part in that spot, too, that we will be okay with him getting three fouls. However he’s obtained to be so much smarter about it as a result of he picks them up so rapidly that he doesn’t even give himself an opportunity to even play, so I imply I don’t know in the event that they’re selecting on him or not. I’m all the time on the officers once they blow two fast fouls on a freshman. It’s like ‘Give the man an opportunity to play a little bit bit.’

On upcoming remaining exams…

“The whole lot is centered round their schedule based mostly on how I conduct observe.” Woodson stated the gamers have tutoring and work stations to assist with their lessons.
Woodson stated he talks about lecturers with the group on a regular basis.
“It’s important. A whole lot of these guys, they’re not going to play NBA basketball, that’s simply being lifelike. That’s to not bust anyone’s bubble, however it’s important to go to highschool and get an training so you can also make certain when it’s all stated and finished you’ve obtained one thing to fall again on and go off within the work place and be capable of compete and do what you do.”
When Woodson returned to Indiana, he employed Anitra Home, whose title is Assistant to the Head Coach. When Woodson was a scholar, Home was his tutor.
“Anitra was big for me by way of tutoring me and my spouse Terri on a day-to-day foundation, particularly to assist me get the place I wanted to go, and that’s why she’s again with me now.”

“I want you might cast off social media. That’s simply wishful considering on my half. Possibly it would maintain them extra targeted, nevertheless it’s what it’s. You’re not going to get round social media, and I attempt to inform these guys to trim it down, keep away from it, however once more, I’m not round them 24/7 and simply you’ve obtained to be good about what you do and say with regards to social media since you do the improper factor or say the improper factor, you’re uncovered and it’s throughout the county. Social media is what it’s. I simply inform our guys to watch out with what they do.”
“It’s superb, after the sport the very first thing they do is that they seize their telephone earlier than they even go and take a bathe. Social media is what it’s, however I want I may throw all their telephones away for a yr and allow them to simply focus in on taking part in basketball and going to class and learning.”

On Indiana’s recreation at Kansas on Saturday…

“Effectively-coached. I do know Invoice [Self] very nicely. I’ve watched him work over time. As an NBA coach we used to do some clinics collectively means again within the day. He all the time has his groups able to play.”
Woodson stated Indiana must observe the sport plan and play 40 minutes “As a result of they’re not going to allow you to off the hook.”
Woodson watched the Missouri recreation on Sunday and Kansas’ 64-50 loss to Tennessee on Nov. 25 “The distinction between the Missouri and the Tennessee recreation was Tennessee was actually bodily, and it was a battle in that space a little bit bit.”

INDIANA REMAINS NO. 14 IN AP POLL: Indiana obtained a Large Ten win final week, however then misplaced to No. 9 Arizona on Saturday, so that they stood pat on this week’s Related Press Prime-25 ballot at No. 14. Right here is the entire ballot, with a brand new No. 1, the Purdue Boilermakers. Six Large Ten groups are within the ballot. CLICK HERE
ARIZONA PLOWS LAST INDIANA: Arizona’s dominant huge males had been an excessive amount of for Indiana on Saturday in Las Vegas. The Hoosiers fell behind by 19 factors early and made a number of comebacks, however could not recover from the hump in an 89-75 loss, their second of the season. CLICK HERE
TOM BREW COLUMN: Indiana did not have all of the solutions in how finest to assault Arizona on Saturday, and it led to an 89-75 loss in Las Vegas. However the Hoosiers can take away so much from this nonconference showdown as nicely, and the training expertise will certainly repay through the Large Ten season. CLICK HERE
INDIANA SCHEDULE: Right here is the entire Indiana males’s basketball schedule for the 2022-23 season, full with dates, opponents, recreation instances and TV info. It additionally contains hyperlinks to all of our tales on video games performed up to now. CLICK HERE

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Will Indiana beat Ohio State? Can Oregon State upset Washington State? Our Week 13 CFB picks

Published

43 mins ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

Will Indiana beat Ohio State? Can Oregon State upset Washington State? Our Week 13 CFB picks

As the college football regular season winds down, the intrigue in some of the Week 13 matchups turns way up.

WATCH: Stream most of this week’s top college football games live for FREE with Fubo (free trial) or with DirecTV Stream (free trial).

In the Big Ten, undefeated Indiana tries to keep rolling toward a berth in the Big Ten championship game when the fifth-ranked Hoosiers visit No. 2 Ohio State. The one-loss Buckeyes are 11-point favorites.

Meanwhile, No. 4 Penn State, which also remains alive in the chase to face top-ranked Oregon in the conference title game, faces a potentially tough road game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Nittany Lions are favored by 11.5 points.

In the Pac-12, Oregon State will look to end its losing streak when the Beavers play host to Washington State. The Beavers have lost five in a row and are 11.5-point underdogs, but can they put a complete game together against the Cougars?

Check out this week’s college football odds and score predictions for all the Big Ten and Pac-12 games from the CFB coverage team at The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Purdue (1-9, 0-7) at Michigan State (4-6, 2-5)

Game details: 5 p.m. PT Friday at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan

TV channel and live stream: Fox and Fox Sports Live

Latest line: Michigan State by 13.5

Over/under: 47.5

Predictions

Ryan Clarke: Michigan State 31, Purdue 17

James Crepea: Michigan State 28, Purdue 14

Nick Daschel: Michigan State 31, Purdue 27

Aaron Fentress: Michigan State 31, Purdue 20

Joe Freeman: Michigan State 30, Purdue 15

Sean Meagher: Michigan State 34, Purdue 17

Joel Odom: Michigan State 31, Purdue 10

Bill Oram: Michigan State 28, Purdue 13

Washington State (8-2) at Oregon State (4-6)

Game details: 4 p.m. PT Saturday at Reser Stadium in Corvallis

TV channel and live stream: The CW

Latest line: Washington State by 11.5

Over/under: 57.5

Predictions

Ryan Clarke: Washington State 30, Oregon State 7

James Crepea: Washington State 35, Oregon State 14

Nick Daschel: Washington State 38, Oregon State 17

Aaron Fentress: Washington State 27, Oregon State 17

Joe Freeman: Washington State 32, Oregon State 17

Sean Meagher: Washington State 42, Oregon State 21

Joel Odom: Washington State 38, Oregon State 14

Bill Oram: Washington State 38, Oregon State 23

No. 5 Indiana (10-0, 7-0) at No. 2 Ohio State (9-1, 6-1)

Game details: 9 a.m. PT Saturday at Ohio Stadium in Columbus

TV channel and live stream: Fox and Fox Sports Live

Latest line: Ohio State by 11

Over/under: 52.5

Predictions

Ryan Clarke: Ohio State 37, Indiana 34

James Crepea: Ohio State 42, Indiana 35

Nick Daschel: Ohio State 31, Indiana 29

Aaron Fentress: Ohio State 38, Indiana 25

Joe Freeman: Ohio State 28, Indiana 27

Sean Meagher: Indiana 38, Ohio State 35

Joel Odom: Ohio State 31, Indiana 21

Bill Oram: Ohio State 26, Indiana 24

No. 25 Illinois (7-3, 4-3) at Rutgers (6-4, 3-4)

Game details: 9 a.m. PT Saturday at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey

TV channel and live stream: Peacock

Latest line: Rutgers by 1

Over/under: 47.5

Predictions

Ryan Clarke: Illinois 22, Rutgers 14

James Crepea: Illinois 28, Rutgers 14

Nick Daschel: Illinois 24, Rutgers 20

Aaron Fentress: Illinois 23, Rutgers 20

Joe Freeman: Rutgers 24, Illinois 23

Sean Meagher: Illinois 28, Rutgers 24

Joel Odom: Illinois 27, Rutgers 17

Bill Oram: Illinois 28, Rutgers 14

Iowa (6-4, 4-3) at Maryland (4-6, 1-6)

Game details: 9 a.m. PT Saturday at SECU Stadium in College Park, Maryland

TV channel and live stream: Big Ten Network and Fox Sports Live

Latest line: Iowa by 3.5

Over/under: 43.5

Predictions

Ryan Clarke: Iowa 28, Maryland 20

James Crepea: Iowa 28, Maryland 21

Nick Daschel: Iowa 20, Maryland 14

Aaron Fentress: Iowa 33, Maryland 18

Joe Freeman: Iowa 27, Maryland 20

Sean Meagher: Iowa 21, Maryland 17

Joel Odom: Iowa 34, Maryland 13

Bill Oram: Maryland 35, Iowa 21

No. 4 Penn State (9-1, 6-1) at Minnesota (6-4, 4-3)

Game details: 12:30 p.m. PT Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis

TV channel and live stream: CBS and cbssports.com

Latest line: Penn State by 11.5

Over/under: 44.5

Predictions

Ryan Clarke: Minnesota 27, Penn State 24

James Crepea: Penn State 35, Minnesota 21

Nick Daschel: Penn State 24, Minnesota 23

Aaron Fentress: Penn State 31, Minnesota 17

Joe Freeman: Penn State 31, Minnesota 21

Sean Meagher: Penn State 30, Minnesota 24

Joel Odom: Penn State 28, Minnesota 16

Bill Oram: Minnesota 28, Penn State 18

Wisconsin (5-5, 3-4) at Nebraska (5-5, 2-5)

Game details: 12:30 p.m. PT Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska

TV channel and live stream: Big Ten Network and Fox Sports Live

Latest line: Nebraska by 1

Over/under: 41.5

Predictions

Ryan Clarke: Nebraska 24, Wisconsin 7

James Crepea: Nebraska 24, Wisconsin 17

Nick Daschel: Nebraska 20, Wisconsin 14

Aaron Fentress: Wisconsin 24, Nebraska 23

Joe Freeman: Wisconsin 23, Nebraska 20

Sean Meagher: Wisconsin 28, Nebraska 27

Joel Odom: Wisconsin 20, Nebraska 17

Bill Oram: Nebraska 21, Wisconsin 14

Northwestern (4-6, 2-5) at Michigan (5-5, 3-4)

Game details: 12:30 p.m. PT Saturday at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor

TV channel and live stream: FS1 and Fox Sports Live

Latest line: Michigan by 10.5

Over/under: 36.5

Predictions

Ryan Clarke: Michigan 31, Northwestern 10

James Crepea: Michigan 17, Northwestern 10

Nick Daschel: Northwestern 21, Michigan 20

Aaron Fentress: Michigan 29, Northwestern 10

Joe Freeman: Michigan 24, Northwestern 10

Sean Meagher: Michigan 21, Northwestern 14

Joel Odom: Michigan 16, Northwestern 13

Bill Oram: Michigan 33, Northwestern 17

USC (5-5, 3-5) at UCLA (4-6, 3-5)

Game details: 7:30 p.m. PT Saturday at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California

TV channel and live stream: NBC and Peacock

Latest line: USC by 5

Over/under: 51.5

Predictions

Ryan Clarke: UCLA 38, USC 31

James Crepea: USC 35, UCLA 28

Nick Daschel: UCLA 28, USC 27

Aaron Fentress: USC 31, UCLA 26

Joe Freeman: USC 30, UCLA 24

Sean Meagher: UCLA 33, USC 28

Joel Odom: USC 36, UCLA 30

Bill Oram: UCLA 49, USC 47

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Five Key Matchups to Watch in Ohio State vs. Indiana

Published

9 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

Five Key Matchups to Watch in Ohio State vs. Indiana

On paper, Ohio State has a clear talent advantage over Indiana. But that doesn’t mean the Hoosiers aren’t capable of beating the Buckeyes.

Indiana has performed well above its on-paper talent level all season, winning all of its first 10 games for the first 10-win season in school history. Yes, it’s true that Indiana hasn’t yet beaten a ranked opponent this season, but the Hoosiers have the third-highest average scoring margin in all of college football (25.2 points per game), rank second nationally in points scored per game (43.9) and third nationally in yards allowed per game (255.5).

That means Ohio State must be prepared for one of its biggest tests of the season in all phases of the game as it welcomes the fifth-ranked Hoosiers to Ohio Stadium for its third top-five matchup of the season on Saturday.

In particular, the following five positional matchups bear watching on Saturday. Which team wins the majority of these matchups will go a long way toward determining whether Indiana upsets the second-ranked Buckeyes or Ohio State hands the Hoosiers their first loss.

Ohio State Interior OL vs. Indiana DTs and LBs

Ohio State’s interior offensive line will be the position group under the microscope more than any other when Saturday’s game begins as the Buckeyes play their first game without star center Seth McLaughlin. Carson Hinzman will make his first start of the season at center with Austin Siereveld making his first start since non-conference play as he replaces Hinzman at left guard.

That makes all three positions along Ohio State’s interior offensive line a question mark entering this game as Tegra Tshabola has had plenty of ups and downs in his first season as the Buckeyes’ right guard. All of them have played enough that there’s reason for optimism they won’t be a complete liability, but the lack of the stabilizing veteran presence that McLaughlin provided is a cause for concern.

A bigger test for them specifically might come next week when they faced Michigan’s elite defensive tackle tandem of Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, but the Hoosiers’ interior defenders are plenty capable of challenging them, too. Kent State transfer defensive tackle CJ West has been one of the Big Ten’s best interior defensive linemen this season, recording 30 tackles with five tackles for loss and two sacks through 10 games, and he pairs with fellow starter James Carpenter and James Madison transfer Tyrique Tucker to give the Hoosiers a strong defensive tackle trio that’s combined for 61 quarterback pressures this season, per Pro Football Focus.

One of McLaughlin’s greatest strengths was his ability to get to the second level and make key blocks to spring Ohio State’s running backs up the middle, and Indiana has a quality linebacker group that will test the Buckeyes’ new-look middle of the offensive line in that regard, as well. Aiden Fisher is tied for second among all Big Ten defenders with 98 tackles this season while fellow starting linebacker Jailin Walker has also been productive, recording 59 tackles with four tackles for loss and six pass breakups.

Ohio State OTs vs. Indiana DE Mikail Kamara

Even without McLaughlin’s injury, Ohio State’s offensive line would have been one of the bigger question-mark positions entering this game because of the Hoosiers’ ability to bring pressure up front, especially off the edge.

Indiana leads the Big Ten with 31 sacks this season, and the biggest contributor to that total has been Mikail Kamara, who leads the conference with 9.5 quarterback takedowns. The 6-foot-1, 265-pound James Madison transfer leads the entire FBS with 53 quarterback pressures this season.

Donovan Jackson gave up two sacks to Penn State’s Abdul Carter in his first game at left tackle, and Kamara will be by far the best pass rusher he’s faced since. Right tackle Josh Fryar has been better in pass protection this year than he was last year, but pass blocking is still the weaker part of his game, so the Hoosiers will likely move Kamara around to test both tackles.

“He’s a very talented player,” Jackson said of Kamara. “He knows how to use his abilities well in terms of using hands, being able to turn the corner, which is the reason why his numbers are so good as it is now. So I know that as a unit, we all got our work cut out for us. This is a very talented team, very talented defensive front, and they’re all dialed into what they have to do. They rarely get out of gaps. So we just have to be dialed in on what we have to do to execute the game plan and do what we can to the best of our abilities.”

Ohio State CBs vs. Indiana WRs and Kurtis Rourke

On the other side of the ball, the key to the game for Ohio State could be whether Ohio State’s cornerbacks can keep Indiana’s wide receivers in check. Indiana’s passing offense has been one of the nation’s most effective this season, ranking third in the FBS with 9.9 yards per passing attempt, and the Hoosiers’ wideouts will be the best Ohio State has faced since Evan Stewart and Tez Johnson lit the Buckeyes up in a 341-yard passing day for Oregon.

None of Indiana’s individual receivers are quite as dynamic as Stewart, who had seven catches for 149 yards and a touchdown against Ohio State, but Elijah Sarratt has been one of the Big Ten’s most productive wideouts with 38 catches for 685 yards and six touchdowns. And the Buckeyes can’t key in on just slowing down Sarratt as the Hoosiers have five wide receivers who have all caught at least 24 passes for 289 yards this season.

Denzel Burke has a lot to prove this week after his nightmare of a game in Eugene while Davison Igbinosun has continued to struggle with penalties in his second year with the Buckeyes. They’re both projected to be higher NFL draft picks than any of Indiana’s wide receivers, so they should be capable of winning their matchups along with Jordan Hancock in the slot, but their inconsistency this season makes this matchup one to watch as Kurtis Rourke’s play all season has demonstrated he won’t be afraid to attack any weak spots he can find in the Buckeyes’ defense.

“He’s extremely efficient,” Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said of Rourke. “Calm in the pocket and very efficient. Makes all the throws, gets rid of the ball quickly. In that type of offense, he’s very smart and figures out where the holes of the defense are and takes advantage.”

Ohio State WRs vs. Indiana DBs

While Ohio State’s cornerbacks will be put to the test by Indiana’s receivers, the Buckeyes’ biggest advantage over the Hoosiers may be the matchup between their wideouts and Indiana’s secondary.

Indiana’s passing defense has been good this season, ranking 21st in the FBS with only 183.3 passing yards allowed per game, but the Hoosiers haven’t faced any group of weapons like Ohio State’s trio of Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate. Maryland, the best passing offense Indiana has faced so far this season, threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-28 loss to the Hoosiers.

James Madison transfer D’Angelo Ponds has been excellent as Indiana’s top cornerback this season, holding opponents to only 25 catches for 196 yards and one touchdown on 45 targets (per PFF) with two interceptions and six pass breakups, but he’ll give up significant size to OSU’s receivers at only 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds. That said, he does have the advantage of familiarity with Smith as he was Smith’s high school teammate at Chaminade-Madonna.

D’Angelo Ponds (5) will likely spend most of Saturday’s game covering his former high school teammate, Jeremiah Smith. (Photo: Jacob Musselman – Imagn Images)

Indiana’s run defense has been dominant this season, holding opponents to only 72.2 rushing yards per game, so Ohio State is going to need to be able to make plays in the downfield passing game to open up running lanes. There’s reason to believe the Buckeyes should be well-equipped to do so with their receiving talent, though the ability of Ohio State’s aforementioned offensive line to hold up in pass protection as well as Will Howard’s consistency throwing deep will be factors in whether the Buckeyes can exploit their talent advantage on the perimeter.

Indiana OTs vs. Ohio State DEs

If Ohio State could pick one player from Indiana’s roster to add to its roster right now, it would probably pick Indiana left tackle Carter Smith – who the Buckeyes very likely could have gotten as a recruit if they had offered him out of nearby Olentangy Liberty High School. Instead, the three-star prospect has developed into one of the Big Ten’s best offensive tackles in Bloomington, teaming with Wisconsin transfer right tackle Trey Wedig to give the Hoosiers an excellent tandem on the edge.

For Ohio State to slow down Indiana’s passing attack, it won’t just be about the aforementioned cornerback winning their one-on-one matchups; the Buckeyes also need their pass rush to be much better than it was against Oregon, where Ohio State recorded zero sacks. Ohio State’s pass rush has been better since then, but it’s typically been big games where the Buckeyes have struggled to generate pressure in recent years, and Smith and Wedig will be the best offensive tackle tandem they’ve faced since the trip to Eugene.

Jack Sawyer enters this game on a wave of momentum, having recorded 12 tackles with nine quarterback pressures, a forced fumble and a fumble return for a touchdown in Ohio State’s last two games, while JT Tuimoloau has six tackles for loss in the Buckeyes’ last five games. It would go a long way for Ohio State’s efforts to slow down the Hoosiers’ offense if they can continue to wreak havoc off the edge; if they have a quiet game like they did against the Ducks, Ohio State will be at risk of suffering another loss.

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Obituary for Donald Dempsey Ratliff Jr. at Yeager Funeral Home

Published

17 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

Obituary for Donald Dempsey Ratliff Jr. at Yeager Funeral Home

Donald Dempsey Ratliff Jr., age 54, of Ligonier, Indiana passed away at 1214 am on November 21, 2024 at Parkview Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born on April 28, 1970, the son of Donald Dempsey and Gloria Nelson Ratliff in Goshen, Indiana. Don will be greatly missed

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