The Week 13 Preview: Indiana Hoosiers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes

Last Game's Recap: Wisconsin 51, Indiana 3. I've blocked the rest of the details out from my memory. If you really want them, Google is your friend.

Game Info: Kickoff for Senior Day in Columbus is scheduled for 3:30pm this Saturday. Dave Fleming, Chris Spielman, and Shannon Spake have the call for ABC/ESPN2 (check local listings).

Series History: Ohio State leads the series 69-12-5. Indiana's last win was in 1988 (41-7), with the last win in Columbus coming the year before (31-10). Last year, Ohio State held off the Hoosiers 52-49 in Bloomington.

Indiana Notes: Despite the "quality" of the Indiana defense, the Indiana offense is going to be rewriting much of IUFB's record book with 2 good games to end the season. The Hoosiers have already set a new mark for touchdowns in a season (52 and counting), have tied the mark for passing touchdowns (28), and are within sight of 10 other program records. Mitch Ewald, having already set many career kicking marks this season, is chasing the season record for extra points as well, currently trailing Austin Starr in 2007 by only 2.

Ohio State Notes, courtesy of OTE's own Ted Glover: "How have the Buckeyes done this year?" So far this season, the plan for Ohio State has gone as most everyone had imagined. I realized early on that the Buckeyes would be trashed in the media for their schedule, so I learned early on to just quit worrying about what I have no control over and enjoy this time as an OSU fan. We've got the best coach in America leading our team, one of the most dynamic playmakers in braxton Miller as the starting QB, and we're on a 22 game winning streak. The BCS rankings are what they are, and wherever OSU ends up, well, it'll be a big game and an opportunity to shut up a lot of doubters. So I'm glad I've been able to enjoy this streak and appreciate it, because like most things, it truly won't be appreciated until it's in the rear view mirror.

"What should someone who hasn't seen this team play be looking out for Saturday?" A diverse, dynamic offense, a good but inconsistent defense, and stellar special teams. On offense Ohio State can kill you multiple ways from the Spread offense. Although most everyone sees the word 'spread' and thinks 'pass happy', Ohio State has an impressive power running game out of that formation. Carlos Hyde is a big, bruising tailbak in the Beanie Wells mode and gets yards in chunks between the tackles. But the Buckeyes also have the ability to smoke you on the perimeter or through the air. Miller's legs are just as good as his arm, and if he's forced to tuck it and run the ball, the results can be devastating. On defense, Ohio State has been dealing with some injuries and inconsistency in the defensive backfield (63rd nationally in pass defense), but for all their problems they're 10th in total defense and 13th in scoring defense. So you'll be able to pass and get some yards on the secondary, and as good as Indiana is passing the ball they'll be able to make some plays.

"What do you expect for the Buckeyes going forward?" I expect Ohio State to take care of business against Indiana on Saturday and against Michigan next Saturday and finish 12-0. Whether they end up in the BCS National Championship Game or the Rose Bowl is something that the Buckeyes can't apparently control right now, so just win and advance, and let the chips fall where they may. I think with a little luck OSU will end up in the National Championship, but hey, there's nothing wrong with going to the Rose Bowl, either.

Predictions: [CfB] While I can hope that the Hoosiers pull the upset, this is still a nearly two years undefeated Buckeye team at home on Senior Day. As such, Urban probably won't let the Buckeyes look ahead to Michigan too much, which means the final should be something like Ohio State 56, Indiana 31.

[Ted] Like I mentioned above, I expect Indiana to get some yards and points, but man, that Indiana defense. Woof. I don't see how the Hoosiers can even come close to stopping OSU's offense, and with a title game spot on the line, I expect OSU to really step on the gas here and not let up. A 70-28 score wouldn't surprise me at all. Seriously, I'm not joking.