In a national picture that’s finally clearing as the regular season nears an end, an Ohio State team once left for dead finds itself firmly in the frame.
But good luck with getting Urban Meyer to outright address it.
As if he manually programmed himself Sunday night before his weekly press conference, the sixth-ranked Buckeyes’ head coach had but one answer to any and all questions about his team’s place in an intensifying playoff race that’ll be decided once and for all in a little more than two weeks:
“Beat Indiana.”
Considering the very real chance surging Ohio State has at breaking through to the College Football Playoff rankings’ top four, Meyer’s almost reflexive and predictably ridiculous response was met with laughter.
But in all seriousness, things are seemingly falling in place for his team ever since a loss to Virginia Tech in early September.
If you were to map out a list of major objectives for the Buckeyes this season, the first checkmark came two weekends ago against Michigan State.
The second — a return to the Big Ten Championship Game — can be achieved against the unranked Hoosiers this weekend.
Opponent Breakdown
When Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson was hired in 2011, it was with the hope he’d usher in an offensive renaissance in Bloomington. And to an extent, that’s real. Thanks to momentum in recruiting guys who fit his high-flying spread offense, the Hoosiers hit their stride last year and averaged 38 points and 509 yards a game. While a porous defense ultimately doomed them in a 5-7 season, the campaign was viewed as progress for a team that was 1-11 in 2011.
This year, however, Indiana has taken a step back despite a surprising win against SEC East leader Missouri in September.
It feels like it was forever ago.
Part of that’s because of a horrid defense that’s giving up 34 points and 433 yards a game despite bringing in a new defensive coordinator to try and remedy a persistent problem. Part of it’s also because of a quarterback situation that borders on ridiculous.
In October, the Hoosiers lost starting quarterback Nate Sudfeld and his backup, Chris Covington, on the same day. Without them — and without Cameron Coffman and Tre Roberson who transferred from the program — freshman Zander Diamont was suddenly thrust into the mix and has expectedly struggled since.
Diamont, who’s become somewhat of a game manager more than anything else, is completing just 47 percent of his passes for 282 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Because of this, a once-potent offense has turned into one that’s dropping just 25 points per game.
It’s also no surprise, then, why Indiana has lost five-straight since Diamont took over at quarterback.
Without a competent and reliable trigger man, the Hoosiers rely on running back Tevin Coleman, who has 1,678 yards and 12 on 214 carries.
“I see his statistics; they're ridiculous. I met with our defensive staff again this morning and they think he's an outstanding, great back,” Meyer said. “Not real big, but fast. Extremely fast … that's the threat, number one threat on their team.”
Because Indiana’s pass game is currently non-existent, despite having senior wide receiver Shane Wynn, who’s regarded as one of the best players in the conference.
In short, the Hoosiers are extremely one-dimensional. If Ohio State can mount a wall in front of Coleman, it’s hard to imagine Indiana suddenly finding its legs vertically against a defense that’s shut down far better units.
Buckeye Breakdown
As already noted, the stakes for Ohio State are obvious: Win Saturday and clinch a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game. It frankly shouldn't be too difficult.
After impressive road wins against Michigan State and Minnesota, the Buckeyes are heavy favorites against Indiana for a reason.
Redshirt freshman quarterback J.T. Barrett’s most-expected Heisman campaign is full swing. The offense is rolling. The defense is considerably better than the one that doomed Ohio State last season.
It’s why the Buckeyes are expected to win this weekend and why they’ll probably be favorites against Michigan and, potentially, in the league’s title game.
And as the national picture starts to clear, Meyer’s club find itself in the thick of the playoff race at No. 6 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings. With the momentum Ohio State’s accumulated in recent weeks and with the games ahead of it, it’s completely possible it will end up as one of four teams who play for the national championship.
Just don’t tell that to Meyer.
“That's not even going to be addressed,” he said Monday. “We wake up every November or we wake up every day to compete for championships in November. It's at the doorstep now. They've done a good job getting us there.”
After all, the road here since a loss to Virginia Tech in September made this a remarkable climb back to relevancy.
“If you'd have told us after Week Two that this would all start to materialize, I think we just keep doing what we're doing, and that's get better, get better each week. We are lights‑out a much better football team than we were at the beginning of the season, and that's a credit to the players and the assistant coaches for getting them there.”
It’s why Meyer’s seemingly OK with addressing a chance to return to Indianapolis and avenge failed attempt at claiming the conference crown last year. Anything else is taboo.
“Those kind of conversations, I think, take place in here,” he said during his weekly press conference. “They certainly don't take place within locker rooms, not that I'm aware of.”
At least not yet.
How It’ll Play Out
If there was a chance to trip Ohio State up since that ugly loss to Virginia Tech, it’s long gone now. After wins against the Spartans and the Gophers, the Buckeyes would appear to be playing as well as any team in the country.
Expect them to keep it up against Indiana Saturday.
Coleman’s the real deal at running back, but Hoosiers are as one-dimensional as it comes on offense. Even if he can rip off a run here and there, it’s hard to imagine Ohio State being unable to bottle him up after halftime at the very latest.
Most all, the Buckeyes should simply eviscerate an Indiana defense that’s as miserable as any in the country. Barrett, Ezekiel Elliott and a bevy of other skill players are set up for a big day.
Ohio State rolls and clinches a return to Lucas Oil Stadium.
ELEVEN WARRIORS STAFF PREDICTION: Ohio State 55, Indiana 14
