[Editor’s Note: This piece originally ran last Friday, but we’ve decided to run it again today because IT’S FREAKIN’ GAMEDAY, YOU GUYS!]
Welcome to the first game-week piece of the year. No, it’s not actually game week just yet, but since we are now inside a week until Ohio State kicks off against the Hoosiers, it may as well be.
The Thursday night start to the season has altered the way things will normally go around here, but we’re nothing if not begrudgingly flexible. Normally during the season, each Five for Friday will be reserved to give you some things to watch for. I’m not sure what next week’s will be about just yet, but since we’ll be fresh off of the first game of the year, I’m guessing we’ll be able to figure something out.
So what should you be watching for this coming Thursday? Plenty.
1. Two strong safeties will play.
It sure didn’t sound like Greg Schiano was close to having a decision made on the strong safety competition even though one is coming. Sophomore Jordan Fuller and senior Erick Smith have been competing against each other since January and they are still apparently neck-and-neck. If they’re still that close at this point, then it would follow that both will see time against Indiana. Fuller has more range, which the position calls for, but Smith is the quicker and more-experienced tackler. If Schiano could combine both skill sets, he might have something pretty special. For that reason alone, we may see both players rotating.
2. A more aggressive defensive line.
Greg Schiano has decided he wants his defensive ends to get after the quarterback more now and so you might want to watch out for it. Last year, the defensive ends were called upon to squeeze down on blockers to eliminate gaps and keep the linebackers clean. This year, he wants the defensive ends to line up wider and focus more on the pass rush on early downs. Last year, teams tried to pass on early downs to take advantage of what the Buckeyes were doing defensively, so he wants to eliminate that this season. The Hoosiers have a solid pair of offensive tackles, but Ohio State has the Rushmen.
3. Does a freshman sneak into the cornerback rotation?
Indiana’s offensive attack will be a bit of a mystery, as new offensive coordinator Mike Debord is nothing like Kevin Wilson. Debord is more conservative by nature and his offenses over the years have reflected these tendencies on the scoreboard. Quarterback Richard Lagow does have some talented receivers to throw to, however, in Simmie Cobbs and Nick Westbrook. The Hoosiers will also likely employ a slot receiver, which means the Buckeyes may employ a nickel back quite a bit in this one. The nickel plan right now has Damon Arnette sliding inside and Kendall Sheffield and Denzel Ward staying on the outside. The question then becomes if freshman Jeffrey Okudah or Shaun Wade can get some run in order to provide someone else a rest. The prevailing theory is that if a rested player is better than a tired player, then the rested player will go in. Is a fresh Okudah or Wade better than a tired Sheffield yet? We’ll find out in six days.
4. Will the Buckeyes have an answer for linebacker Tegray Scales?
Tegray Scales may be the most active defender in the nation. He led the Big Ten with 126 tackles and 23.5 tackles for loss last season. He and Mike Weber are going to get to know each other pretty well on Thursday. Can the Buckeyes get a pulling guard on him? Can the right guard pull the way Ohio State wants? Will Weber and freshman running back J.K. Dobbins be able to pick up Scales’ blitzes when they stay in on passing downs? J.T. Barrett will have to know where Scales is at all times. Don’t be surprised when the Hoosier senior from Cincinnati Colerain wins quite a few battles against the Buckeyes.
5. Can the Ohio State receivers get open?
In my Big Ten positional ratings, I put Indiana’s secondary at No. 2 behind Ohio State. The Hoosiers return six defensive backs with significant starting experience, including All-B1G cornerback candidate Rashard Fant. Fant finished third in the nation last year with 20 passes defended. The other cornerbacks aren’t too shabby either. This is going to be a very good test for the Ohio State receivers and should provide an early indication of just how good they are, at least initially. If they struggle to get open, Buckeye fans won’t be happy, but some of the credit will have to go to Indiana. When they do get open, however, J.T. Barrett will need to show that the talk of his improved accuracy and confidence wasn’t just lip service.
Bonus: Watch J.K. Dobbins.
C’mon, you knew you weren’t getting through this Five for Friday without a Dobbins mention. The time for hype is almost over. Results are right around the corner.
Bonus: Is Tracy Sprinkle ready?
Don’t be surprised if Tracy Sprinkle isn’t full go yet at nose tackle. They want him out there, but not if he isn’t quite ready. He is healthy, but his concern right now is just getting back to what he used to be as a player. It’s just a matter of reps to get him back to his comfort level.
Bonus: How is Dante Booker looking?
Slot receivers have given Ohio State cornerbacks fits of late, so don’t judge Dante Booker too harshly if some of the same happens to him in this one.
Bonus: Are there playmakers?
Along the lines of the receivers getting open, when they do get open, are they doing anything with the football after the catch? How is Parris Campbell on the sweeps? Can K.J. Hill do something over the middle after the catch? Is Johnnie Dixon capable of making the first man miss out wide?
Bonus: Isaiah Prince all by himself.
The Hoosiers don’t exactly have a murderer’s row at defensive end, so the Buckeye tackles should be fine. Will Isaiah Prince hold up his side of the line and look dominating doing it? Or will J.T. Barrett have to leave the pocket a few times due to a breakdown in protection?