#2 IUFB vs. #1 OSU - B1G CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Saturday 12.06.25 @ 8PM on FOX

[Artie86 3,589]

45 minutes ago, Dave from Dayton said:

Seconded.  The entitled demeanor of the buck-teeth punks here in Ohio makes me cringe. What is special, though, is the non-Ohioans cheering for anyone to beat the teeth out of these guys. 

The game is on the trenches. That is the biggest challenge. And I just don't know which line on which play will have the upper hand.

Mendoza absolutely has to be protected and allowed time. Ths.

The IU coaches have got to outcoach the dark side. Keep OSU guessing. 

Make it so.

….he definitely can’t sit and the pocket as long as he’s been able to. 

[Stuhoo 93,217]

57 minutes ago, Demo said:

BTN just flashed a stat that OSU is only +5 in turnover margin. That seems kind of wild, doesn’t it? I know Sayin doesn’t turn it over, so does their vaunted defense just not turn people over? So they’re only giving up 8 pts a game by basically strangling teams and just not giving up yardage at all? Huh

Their play style seems to be a vast majority of quick hit, safe passing with an occasional big shot try when teams press up. Much less emphasis on 10-25 yard throws. That prevents turnovers when the O line is good. 

[Brass Cannon 26,663]

Best data I could find has OSU with only 6 picks all year 
 

Thats shocking to me with the number of games where teams were in must pass situations and the pressure Ohio State gets on the Oline.  
 

We need to give Mendoza a little more time than we did against Penn State and then our boys need to pick Sayin off once or twice 

[Brass Cannon 26,663]

2 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

Their play style seems to be a vast majority of quick hit, safe passing with an occasional big shot try when teams press up. Much less emphasis on 10-25 yard throws. That prevents turnovers when the O line is good. 

I think the implication is they have minimal turnovers but they also don’t force a lot. 

[Magnanimous 5,575]

This is pretty much how I view Ohio State fans this week.

 

[Dhop 705]

1 hour ago, Demo said:

BTN just flashed a stat that OSU is only +5 in turnover margin. That seems kind of wild, doesn’t it? I know Sayin doesn’t turn it over, so does their vaunted defense just not turn people over? So they’re only giving up 8 pts a game by basically strangling teams and just not giving up yardage at all? Huh

When Sayin has time to drop back, eat a quick bowl of Fruity Pebbles, grab a step stool and look around for a minute or two it actually becomes a challenge to turn it over.  Going to be interesting to see how uncomfortable we can make him, either through pressure, defensive looks or both.  We have some studs, they have a pro O-line, should be interesting. I can’t remember seeing him pressured this year.

[Stuhoo 93,217]

5 minutes ago, Dhop said:

When Sayin has time to drop back, eat a quick bowl of Fruity Pebbles, grab a step stool and look around for a minute or two it actually becomes a challenge to turn it over.  Going to be interesting to see how uncomfortable we can make him, either through pressure, defensive looks or both.  We have some studs, they have a pro O-line, should be interesting. I can’t remember seeing him pressured this year.

100% this.

We all trust in Haines. This defense has consistently, without exception made quarterbacks uncomfortable. They are now playing a team that has consistently, without exception kept their quarterback comfortable.

Seems like if I had to pick a key to the game this will be it. Can Bones’ blitzes get there and can disguised schemes allow Daley and Kamara to pressure? Can we hit Sayin early and give him something to think about even when he’s safe? Damn it’s gonna be fun to see!

[rcbowla 8,537]

Motivation - IU

Hoosiers have never won the B1G Championship game. OSU doesn't care much but will still play this like every other game

Trenches - OSU

This is imo the biggest key to the game. Unfortunately I don't like how we stack up on either side. A lot closer this year than last but still a gap in talent.

Turnovers - IU

IU is the more opportunistic defense. Mendoza has to value the ball and get rid of the ball to avoid sacks.

Talent - OSU

They are still a step or two above us and most all other cfb teams

Special Teams - IU

This is an important one that has flipped from last year imo. I like our ST's over OSU's by a significant amount

Coaching - Push

I like Cig more than Day, obviously, but Day and his staff are still elite. Can't give an edge to either side.

All of that to say I think this is a one score game. And since I have IU checking more boxes I'll take Hoosiers by 1 point. 21-20

[Hovadipo 63,562]

Don’t forget OSU’s run game kinda stinks and our run D rips. Making them predictable would be a massive advantage. 

I’m far more worried about an Arvell Reese vs. the right side of our OL matchup. 

[Dhop 705]

5 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

100% this.

We all trust in Haines. This defense has consistently, without exception made quarterbacks uncomfortable. They are now playing a team that has consistently, without exception kept their quarterback comfortable.

Seems like if I had to pick a key to the game this will be it. Can Bones’ blitzes get there and can disguised schemes allow Daley and Kamara to pressure? Can we hit Sayin early and give him something to think about even when he’s safe? Damn it’s gonna be fun to see!

Exactly

[Stuhoo 93,217]

2 minutes ago, Hovadipo said:

Don’t forget OSU’s run game kinda stinks and our run D rips. Making them predictable would be a massive advantage. 

I’m far more worried about an Arvell Reese vs. the right side of our OL matchup. 

How is Benson’s permanently F’d up ankle? Asking on behalf of Arvell Reese.

[Hovadipo 63,562]

Another interesting note based on stats I can find and, imo, one of the most important “basic” stats in football:

IU’s offense is #1 in 3rd down conversions, OSU is #2. 

IU’s defense is 4th in 3rd down stop rate, OSU’s is 2nd. 

Whoever wins that battle will be a step ahead. 

[Hoosierfan2017 25,474]

We need to start the game much better than we’ve started recently. The past few games we’ve been sluggish/unfocused, at least offensively. Can’t afford to get behind early against OSU. Jump out to an early lead and put OSU in a position they really haven’t been in at all this year. 

(I know Michigan led early, but Michigan is still learning the forward pass and couldn’t put pressure on the OSU defense like our passing attack can). 

[sirhoosierlot 4,148]

Is it Saturday yet? 

[Dhop 705]

2 hours ago, rayl456 said:

Beat OSU and the ghost of Earle Bruce will rise up and again say, 

“This is the darkest day in Ohio State football.”    :)

Have to wonder how many here actually know that quote.  It’s still delicious. 
it’s a new age now though.

[NashvilleHoosier 3,922]

Anybody know which sideline we’ll be on, and which sections the IU fans ticket allocation will be? I have a whopping zero points (I think) so I didn’t have a chance to buy through the ticket office, but I’d like to sit as close to IU fans as possible. 

[southsidehoosier 5,417]

1 hour ago, Dave from Dayton said:

Seconded.  The entitled demeanor of the buck-teeth punks here in Ohio makes me cringe. What is special, though, is the non-Ohioans cheering for anyone to beat the teeth out of these guys. 

The game is on the trenches. That is the biggest challenge. And I just don't know which line on which play will have the upper hand.

Mendoza absolutely has to be protected and allowed time. Ths.

The IU coaches have got to outcoach the dark side. Keep OSU guessing. 

Make it so.

I think it was an NBC analyst yesterday that said OSU defense is simpler plays the same scheme regardless of opponent but IU defense scheme is more complex and changes based on teams. Not sure if that’s true or not 

[Dhop 705]

2 minutes ago, southsidehoosier said:

I think it was an NBC analyst yesterday that said OSU defense is simpler plays the same scheme regardless of opponent but IU defense scheme is more complex and changes based on teams. Not sure if that’s true or not 

They also commented on their basic offensive play.

[rayl456 1,130]

6 minutes ago, Dhop said:

They also commented on their basic offensive play.

OSU likes to control the ball and the clock.  I believe one analyst said that they lead all schools in time of possession.

[TTT 1,570]

Ohio State can look not so good sometimes but has talent to shift into a physical higher overall gear this year and throughout their football history.  I think because of attack, and team speed pursuit to the ball on defense with indoor game assists IU (Both, OSU and Michigan during their history get bottled up sometimes especially the older format bowl games…though this was years ago) but IU defensive pursuit to the ball is noticeable this year when it’s clicking….but defense has to limit big downfield pass plays.  Then, Mendoza cannot play like he did vs Purdue passing.  He needs to have a better game than OSU qb.  Maybe, cold weather affected F. M. (terrible passes that OSU will pick off) and indoor stadium will be better.  And IU running game continues to improve overall to in the category of borderline eliteness.  Turnover/s favorable to IU.