Ohio State vs. Indiana Preview: Can Hoosiers Win at Home?

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Outspoken With Dan Sileo

Indiana’s Home-Field and Coaching Advantages Loom Large Against Ohio State

Ohio State faces Indiana in a major game in Bloomington this weekend. Indiana has not looked particularly strong recently, struggling to find continuity on offense and laboring against Northwestern. Still, Ohio State needs this win.

There is a perception that Ohio State should not lose on the road to Indiana, but that has already happened against Texas this season. With opinions of Texas declining, questions remain about why Ohio State continues to be viewed as a national championship favorite.

Ohio State has an outstanding player in Smith, but the team has not clearly looked better than Notre Dame or Georgia. It also does not appear to be a more obvious playoff lock than Notre Dame. Ohio State feels more comparable to Alabama.

Indiana remains dangerous at home under Kirk Cignetti, even in a down year. The Hoosiers were available at plus 3.5, although that number was beginning to disappear. Indiana can win the game outright, and even in a loss, the expectation is that the final margin will be extremely close.

If the game comes down to small margins late, coaching could be the deciding factor. In a matchup between Cignetti and Ryan Day, the edge goes to the coach who has demonstrated an ability to win big games late.

Indiana’s season may also be getting overlooked. Ohio State leads the country in yards per pass attempt, but Indiana ranks second. The Hoosiers also have a top-five rushing offense in yards per carry and a top-five rushing defense in yards allowed per carry.

Indiana is not the same team that was considered the best in college football last year, when Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy and went first overall. However, the Hoosiers still have an argument for being the best team in college football in a season without a clear and obvious number one.

If Notre Dame or Miami were playing Indiana, nobody would expect an easy 14-point victory. Ohio State should not expect one either.