Three offensive keys for Ohio State to beat Indiana on Saturday

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Three offensive keys for Ohio State to beat Indiana on Saturday

Alec Lasley, Buckeyes Wire · Buckeyes Wire

Fri, Oct 16, 2026 ·

5 min read

Ohio State has to Find A Consistent Offensive Rhythm Starting With The Run

This week needs to be the most balanced and the most efficient performance of the year for the Buckeyes' offense. Ohio State has struggled to be consistent from half to half this year with its rushing attack, putting a lot of stress on a passing game that is already limited outside of Jeremiah Smith . Getting the running game started early and often has been a priority in each of the past two weeks. Two weeks ago, Ohio State had 48 carries to 21 passes, and then 47 rushes to 27 passes this past week. This week will be a different story, for a few reasons. Not only will Ohio State be without its most efficient running back, Ja'Kobi Jackson, but it'll also be going up against one of the top defenses in the country against the run.

Indiana ranks No. 4 in the country in rushing defense, giving up just 75 yards a game, and limiting teams to just 2.3 yards a carry. Ohio State has been averaging 165.7 yards a game, but without Jackson, most of the load will be placed on Bo Jackson , someone who hasn't been as explosive throughout the early parts of the season without a single Power 4 matchup being above 5.0 yards a carry.

On the flip side, the Buckeyes need to find success outside of Smith on the outside. He's accounted for 52% of Julian Sayin 's yards through the air this season and has 41% of the targets from Sayin. Eyes will be on someone like Brandon Inniss , a guy who has played in these types of big games before. Can he step up? Ohio State needs someone to, especially if the run game is a bit slow to get going.

Ohio State Protecting Julian Sayin Is A Must

There's no question that when Sayin has a clean pocket, he's one of the best quarterbacks in the country. He's able to carve up opposing defenses at will and looks nearly unstoppable. With pressure, it's a different story, and this will be a huge test for Ohio State's offensive line. Indiana has found its groove, especially rushing just four guys, and has had at least four sacks in each Big Ten game this season, including seven tackles for loss. Without a veteran on the offensive line like Austin Siereveld is a significant loss, especially on the right side of the line, which will match him up with either Stephen Daley or Tobi Osunsanmi for the Hoosiers.

Sayin has a 93.1 passing grade per Pro Football Focus, with a clean pocket, accounting for 13 touchdowns and 0 turnover-worthy plays. He's also completing 75.6 percentage of his passes in those dropbacks. When he's pressured, his completion percentage drops to 55.6, while his overall grade drops to 56.7 with five turnover-worthy plays. Last year, Sayin was sacked five times against Indiana, the most he had all year, and also had his second-lowest overall passing grade of the year.

There's no secret that offensive play is -- and has been -- a critical factor for the Buckeyes this season, and it will be yet again on Saturday.

Third Down Conversions A Key

Ohio State has had its positive and negative moments on third-down plays throughout the season, but it'll be the stat that determines the outcome of Saturday's game. Ohio State has been middle of the pack this year on third downs nationally, ranked around No. 50 overall, but in Big Ten games it's been extremely good. In three conference games, the Buckeyes are 21-of-40, good for 52.5 percent. If that were stretched out across the season thus far, it would put them inside the top-10 nationally.

Indiana's defense has been relatively strong on third down but faced its toughest test last week against Nebraska . The Huskers went 8-of-11 in the first half, limiting the Indiana offense to less than 20 offensive plays before halftime. Before Nebraska, teams in Big Ten play were 6-of-25 combined, so it's a stat that the Hoosiers pride themselves on.

That's the recipe for success for Ohio State on Saturday: long, drawn-out possessions that limit the touches for Indiana's explosive offense.

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