One of the strongest concerns in the buildup to Ohio State’s matchup with Indiana centers on quarterback Josh Hoover and what he can do beyond the pocket.
A top source said there are people - “including some of our ex-players” - who don’t see Hoover as much of a threat as a runner. He flatly rejected that idea.
"I've heard a lot of people say - including some of our ex-players - that Hoover is not a threat to run? Give me a break," the source said.
"That's one of my biggest concerns going into the game, Carson Beck-style on third or fourth downs. I think he'll use his legs more than Arch (Manning) did to extend plays.
That same source believes Indiana will keep forcing the issue downfield and mixing in deception to stress Ohio State’s defense.
"I think they're also going to test us deep throughout the game. They also do some good throwback passes and misdirection using play-action. Our lack of consistency in terms of getting QB pressure is going to embolden them to go for chunk plays often, in my opinion.
Another concern is Hoover’s height, and the simplest answer, in the source’s view, is for Ohio State’s defensive line to affect his vision.
"Hoover is not very tall. Our D-linemen need to get in his line of sight, get hands up and bat balls down. We did a great job of that during the Playoff run in 2024.
The source also pointed to a wrinkle Oregon used against Indiana last season that could be worth revisiting.
"Oregon used D-line pre-snap shifting against Indiana effectively early in their game at Autzen last year and it caused several false starts. Might not be a bad idea for Matt Patricia to have ready as an option in critical downs.
On offense, the suggestion was to use Julian Sayin’s eye manipulation and move Jeremiah Smith around to create space elsewhere.
"Eye manipulation by Julian (Sayin) would be great to see on Saturday, as well as moving Jeremiah smith around a lot, using him as a decoy to help open things up for (Devin) McCuin, (Brandon) Inniss and (Chris) Henry Jr.
The source closed by framing the game as a collision of identity and standards.
"Final thing: Which program mandate will prevail? IU's 'Fast-Physical-Relentless' vs.
OSU's '4-6, A to B.' Culture, preparation, fundamentals, execution and will to win.
That's what this is about. This game is deeply personal.
IU took something that meant everything to those seniors last year. This is the reckoning!"
In Other News...
Michigans Offensive Line Just Became A Real Penn State Concern
Michigans injury report entering the Penn State game adds another layer of uncertainty to a matchup already carrying plenty of weight. The Wolverines offensive line, in particular, looks like the area under the most pressure, with the list of players out, doubtful or questionable growing from what it had been earlier in the week. For a team that wants to control the line of scrimmage, that kind of turnover up front can change the feel of the entire offense before a snap is even taken.
Jake Guarnera and Brady Norton being listed as questionable is the part Penn State will be watching most closely, because it keeps Michigans protection and run-game plans from feeling settled. There is at least some precedent for those designations not ending in absences, since players such as Dom Nichols and John Henry Daley were questionable in prior games and still managed to play. Even so, the uncertainty leaves Michigan with real lineup decisions to sort through and gives Penn State reason to think the Wolverines front might not be at full strength. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Gets A Different Penn State Test Than Anyone Expected
Penn State came into the season with the kind of profile that usually makes for a difficult November opponent: a new coach in Matt Campbell, enough continuity in the program to think about the College Football Playoff, and a schedule that looked manageable on paper. Instead, the Nittany Lions have stumbled into a three-game losing streak, with the latest setback coming in a late loss to Wisconsin after a road trip to USC already deepened the concern around where this team is headed.
The most jarring result may have been the one at Northwestern, where Penn State could not answer a strong rushing attack and wound up in a multi-score defeat, something that has not been common for the program in recent seasons. For Michigan, that changes the texture of this matchup a bit. It is still a name opponent, but it is not quite the version of Penn State anyone expected when the schedule was made. [Read more 🡒]
Michigans First Big Ten Win May Depend On Two Lingering Problems
Michigan heads into its matchup with Penn State still searching for its first Big Ten win, and the path to getting one has been shaped by the same issues that have lingered through the conference opener stretch. The Wolverines have had trouble generating consistent production on the ground, which has made it harder to control games the way they usually want to, and that leaves some room for adjustment as they prepare for a Penn State team dealing with its own offensive frustrations.
Penn State has leaned more heavily on quarterback Rocco Becht because its running game has not provided enough help, and that puts more pressure on both lines of scrimmage to decide the game. Michigans outlook also comes with a defensive concern, since injuries to key players could affect its pass rush, adding another layer of uncertainty to a matchup where one clean answer on either side may be enough to swing the result. [Read more 🡒]