Ohio State travels to Bloomington for a top-five matchup with the Indiana Hoosiers. Playing Indiana at home or away used to be a business trip that was as easy as a walk among the roses, but since Curt Cignetti arrived two years ago, that's changed.
This one could have some serious implications in the race for the Big Ten championship as well as what happens with the College Football Playoff, so yeah, things should be very interesting Saturday at High Noon. Sometimes, we are lucky enough to have a sister college wires site with USA TODAY to give us the perspective of that week's Ohio State game from the opposite sideline, but this week, we have a writer who also writes for Indiana's On3 site, "The Hoosier," so we're using him to provide a perspective from Hoosier fans and media.
We sat down with Alec Lasley for a Q&A session on all things Indiana, and here's the transcript of that entire conversation.
On the Curt Cignetti impact for Indiana
QUESTION:Buckeyes Wire (BW) - Curt Cignetti has done what no other coach has been able to do at Indiana. Of course, the NIL and transfer portal have a lot to do with that, but aside from that, what is it about Cignetti that has done the seemingly impossible in Bloomington?
ANSWER: Alec Lasley (AL) - Cignetti came in on day one and opened his mouth with the phrase, "I win. Google me." That's a tough thing to back up when you're going to the program with the most FBS losses in history. He changed the way people thought about Indiana football before he stepped on the field. The confidence he instilled in his players, and eventually fans, happened faster than originally thought. Then, the mentality of 'why not us?' Just because the past happened doesn't mean it's an indicator of the future. Changing the mentality of the program was tough but that was the first thing he had to do. If he didn't, none of this would have happened.
On a budding rivalry between Ohio State and Indiana
QUESTION: (BW) - With Michigan, Penn State, and Oregon seemingly being down, it feels like it's Indiana and Ohio State. There hasn't been much of a rivalry there, but how do IU fans feel about Ohio State these days? Is there a budding hatred?
ANSWER: (AL) - There is a lot of hatred. Look, Indiana fans have always struggled to 'warm up' to Ohio State fans and now that there is a winning culture in Bloomington and a coach who doesn't want to deal with any BS, it's given the IU fans more of a reason to dislike Ohio State. There's always been a cockiness to Ryan Day, and the Ohio State program. Why not, right? Always competing for Big Ten and national championships. After last year, things changed. There's clearly an extreme amount of confidence from an Indiana standpoint, but there is still an anxious energy. I think a win on Saturday could change that for IU fans and really make this a true rivalry for the next few years.
On Indiana still being overlooked
QUESTION: (BW) - Ohio State is a slight favorite in Vegas despite Indiana being undefeated. Does it feel like IU is still struggling to get the respect the traditional giants of the sport get? Is that frustrating as an Indiana fan?
ANSWER: (AL) - 100%. If this was Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, or even Ohio State things would be different. How many teams go undefeated in one season, win a conference and national title and then start off the season undefeated through the first six weeks and drop a few spots in the rankings after wins? Not to mention this is after landing the No. 1 transfer class in the offseason. It's the logo. It's the brand. It's the history. National pundits aren't ready to let Indiana into the 'new blood' and while I understand parts of it, it's clear that this program is here to stay now. The likelihood of making three-straight College Football Playoff's is very high, regardless of what happens on Saturday. That should mean something considering IU has just two losses in 35 games under Curt Cignetti ... Fans are annoyed and they should be. None of that matters unless you keep winning, however. Saturday is the next test.
On an underrated Indiana player Ohio State fans should be paying attention to
QUESTION: (BW) - Give us an underrated player on Indiana that Ohio State fans should be concerned about
ANSWER: (AL) - He shouldn't be underrated but not many people know about him -- that's Tobi Osunsanmi. The Kansas State edge rusher transferred to IU this offseason after missing half of last year with an injury. He's been terrific. He currently leads the Big Ten in tackles for loss and has been a consistent visitor to the opposing team's backfield. He has an unbelievable combination of quickness, strength and length which has led him to 9.5 tackles for loss this season and more than one in four games. With Austin Siereveld out of the lineup, and the spot that Osunsanmi is typically lined up from, it could be a long day for the Buckeyes offensive line.
On what scares Indiana fans the most about this year's Ohio State team
QUESTON: (BW) - What scares Indiana fans the most about Ohio State? Is it a player or an aspect of the team that's going to be hard to deal with?
ANSWER: (AL) - The easy answer is Jeremiah Smith, right? I think he scares just about anyone. Add in the fact that Indiana's secondary is a major question mark around this defense, and it's not a great combination. But, this Ohio State team doesn't pose the same threat as last year. There was more impact depth last year; this year, not so much. The Buckeyes have the brand, and I think if this game was in Columbus it would be a different story. Because this is in Bloomington, it's not as 'scary' of a game as it could be. Smith will get his yards. He'll get his catches. But, he single handedly won't beat this team and won't beat Curt Cignetti and defensive coordinator Bryant Haines.
On whether the Indiana program is here to stay
QUESTION: (BW) - It's been nothing short of remarkable what Curt Cignetti has done at Indiana during his first two years. Is this just a moment in time, or is it sustainable, and should we get used to the Hoosiers being college football royalty?
ANSWER: (AL) - I think I mentioned it briefly above but with the expectation that win or lose Indiana makes it to a third-straight College Football Playoff, that speaks volumes. Whether it was a 4-team or 12-team playoff, very few are going to be in that distinction. What's even more impressive is coming off of a national championship win and still putting a top-5 product on the field the following year. Curt Cignetti has changed the culture but also the expectations and it's all due to the little things he's been able to do from Day 1. The investment in the program is only getting better and with that opens up more doors. Winning opens up doors the widest and if he continues this trend, which it appears he will, more talented recruits will want to join and that means the roster will just get more and more talented to go along with his coaching.
An Ohio State vs. Indiana score prediction for Saturday
QUESTION: (BW) - If you are willing, give us a score prediction
ANSWER: (AL) - This is going to be a fun one. It should be, right? Rematch of the Big Ten Championship and the last two national championship-winners -- what more could you want? Indiana is looking to rebound after a performance last week where it was dead and lost for three and a half quarters. The Buckeyes are looking to build on some of the recent success they've found the last few weeks. It's evident though that neither team has played its best -- and I think this is the week that Indiana does.
It's a home game and this game is as much circled on Indiana's calendar as it has been for Ohio State, regardless of what players and coaches say. I think the injury to Ja'Kobi Jackson is a very impactful one. He's been the best runner for the Buckeyes and has the best combination of quickness and strength. Indiana's defensive line has been good, but has given up some chunk yardage at times. Bo Jackson doesn't strike the same fear as Ja'Kobi does, based on the last few weeks of efficiency. Add in the injury to Austin Siereveld and Indiana's rushers should be able to get to Bo Jackson and Julian Sayin.
I fully anticipate OSU to try to get out of the gates hot, something Indiana has dealt with on its own at times this season; slow starts. If Ohio State can't get going early, it's going to put a lot of pressure on the Sayin-Smith connection, and that's when IU's defense will excel. It's going to be a close one but I think Indiana playing at home and having the come-from-behind experience of last week under its belt will be a huge positive variable. Hoosiers start strong, and finish stronger and limit some of the explosive plays the Buckeyes typically get.
Score Prediction: Indiana 24, Ohio State 17
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Behind Enemy Lines: Ohio State vs. Indiana from a Hoosier perspective