The Ohio State Buckeyes beat the Indiana Hoosiers 31-15 on Saturday, closing as a double-digit favourite and masking the unfold. Ohio State dominated behind certainly one of its greatest defensive efforts of the season. That mentioned, after taking place 7-0, the Buckeyes rebounded effectively and are wanting more likely to declare their spot within the Large Ten Championship Sport after welcoming unranked Michigan subsequent week.
Nevertheless, don’t let the data idiot you — the sport towards the Wolverines subsequent weekend received’t be a stroll within the park like many would have you ever imagine. The Sport means every little thing to a Michigan staff that has had a season to neglect.
However that’s for one more day.On at the present time, OSU dominated and regarded each bit the a part of a nationwide championship contending staff. Let’s dive into how we grade items and the workers from the sport towards Indiana on Saturday.
Offense
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) runs through the first half of the NCAA soccer recreation towards the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium in College Park, Pa. on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.
The Grade | B+
The Buckeyes’ offense didn’t rating to open the sport and truly didn’t get a single level on the board till 7:22 left within the second quarter. The Buckeyes exploded within the second half, scoring 24. Whereas they did put up extra factors within the Hoosiers than some other staff this season, it wasn’t an ideal displaying as Will Howard did ended his streak of two straight video games with out an interception. For that, we give them a B+.
Protection
The Grade | A+
The Buckeyes protection was superb on Saturday. They held Indiana to simply 15 factors, and potential Heisman candidate Kurtis Rourke to simply 68 yards on 8-of-18 passing. It was shaky after Ohio State gave up an opening-drive landing. Nevertheless, it bounced again with ease and constantly put stress on Rourke, taking him down 5 instances and having eight tackles for loss.
Particular Groups
WATCH: Caleb Downs returns punt return for landing vs Indiana
The Grade | A+
With Caleb Downs’ punt return landing and the Buckeyes in a position to get better a muffled snap by the Indiana punter, the Ohio State particular groups had a terrific day. Downs had three punt returns for 91 yards and a 79-yard lengthy. Jayden Fielding was 1-for-1 on subject targets and 5-for-5 on additional factors. Even Joe McGuire kicked effectively and had two punts for 94 yards. For that, we give them an A+.
Teaching
USA TODAY SMG
The Grade | A-
It’s arduous to fault Ryan Day and the teaching workers after successful a top-five matchup fairly convincingly. The staff was ready and the defensive scheme and gameplan was particularly thought out and productive. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless baffling why the Buckeye offense continues to enter shotgun formation in extraordinarily brief yardage conditions (QB sneak anybody?).
And what was with the final landing? Some will say it was rubbing it in to inflate the rating, however others will say why not run it up within the face of head coach Curt Cignetti, who has been fairly brash main as much as the sport. Anybody, these issues are nitpicky at greatest. It was an ideal efficiency throughout.
Summarizing the grades
USA TODAY SMG
How every unit graded
Offense | B+
Protection | A+
Particular Groups | A+
Teaching | A-