The Indiana Hoosiers have been one of many largest tales in faculty soccer this season. They’re 10-0 and have their largest take a look at approaching Saturday.
Indiana will journey to Columbus, Ohio, to tackle Ohio State in a Prime 5 showdown, with School Soccer Playoff implications at stake.
As of Friday, Indiana is an 11-point underdog (according to ESPN Bet), down 2.5 factors from the opening line, with Ohio State as a 13.5-point favourite.
Head coach Curt Cignetti is extremely assured in his group, saying, “Look, we’ve obtained a bunch of fellows and coaches which have received 24 out of their final 25 video games, so we don’t have a confidence downside. We’ve a assured workforce that believes and takes care of enterprise,” per Zach Browning of NBC Sports.
A win for the Hoosiers, and they’re a lock for the CFP. Then again, a convincing win from Ohio State may start to lift questions on Indiana’s lack of competitors this season.
Listed below are three issues Indiana should do to drag off the upset and go away little question that it is among the finest groups within the nation.
Management the clock
Conserving the ball away from Ohio State will likely be a giant step in Indiana securing the upset.
Ohio State averages simply over half-hour of time of possession per sport, and Indiana averages about the identical.
The Buckeyes have an explosive offense that averages 37.8 factors per sport, and preserving the ball out of the fingers of that offense will likely be completely crucial.
If Indiana can maintain Ohio State beneath its standard common time of possession, the Hoosiers can probably steal a possession or two and assist themselves out tremendously.
Convert third downs
Indiana is ranked ninth within the nation in third-down conversion percentage (49.1%), and persevering with that success could be essential for its probabilities to win the sport.
They are going to have a difficult job in doing so, as Ohio State ranks inside the highest 20 in defensive third down conversion proportion (31.2%).
The chess match between Indiana offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan and Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles will likely be a enjoyable matchup all through the sport.
Win the turnover battle
Indiana’s turnover margin is +10 this season, whereas Ohio State’s is +4. The Hoosiers baiting Ohio State quarterback Will Howard into a few interceptions may probably safe the upset.
Indiana’s lead interception man, Amare Ferrell, will greater than seemingly shadow Ohio State’s star receiver, Jeremiah Smith, and that matchup will likely be a battle all sport lengthy.
