However,the always important adjustments were made on both sides of the ball and the Buckeyes controlled the second half on their way to a 49-21 win in Bloomington.
The offensive star was true freshman
J.K.Dobbins,who set an Ohio State record for most rushing yards in a debut performance with 181 yards.
J.T.Barrett threw three second half touchdown passes and finished with over three hundred yards passing.
Ohio State (1-0 1-0 Big 10) hosts Oklahoma next Saturday night in Columbus....
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1) OK,the Buckeyes didn't impress in the first half,but give credit to both coordinators,Kevin Wilson and Greg Schiano for developing plans to deal with what Indiana was doing (especially Schiano) and generally dominating the second half.
2) Those adjustments on defense were as simple as not giving the Hoosiers,who were using a speeded up offense, as many checkdowns and short passes.
When the Hoosiers were shown some different looks,they didn't make the proper adjustment to those and the game swung the Buckeyes way for good.
3) On offense,the adjustments were made to use running back J.K.Dobbins more and to allow J.T. Barrett to do what he does best-run and occasionally throw on the run.
Using that strategy,the smaller Hoosiers were outpowered and the Buckeyes slowly pulled away.
4) Indiana's final touchdown late in the third quarter gave them a 21-20 lead and the stadium was smelling a close finish.
To the point of Hoosier fans beginning a chant of "Overrated".
J.T.Barrett then hit Parris Campbell on a short pass that Campbell turned into a 74 yard touchdown to regain the lead.
After the Overrated chant,Ohio State outscored Indiana 29-0,so thanks.
5) Parris Campbell redeemed himself with his long touchdown catch after earlier in the game dropping probably the best pass that J.T. Barrett threw all day..Campbell is explosive,but his hands still have questions to me...
6) J.T. Barrett's numbers look nice,but the issues with accuracy that have followed his career are still there.
Barrett just doesn't throw the deep ball or even the medium ball well and its been proven that Barrett's passing stats are completely reliant on getting the ball out and allowing his receivers to make plays in space.
7) Mike Weber missed the game with an injury and I wrote in the Buckeye preview that the coaches were pleased with J.K. Dobbins.
Buckeye fans were as well with his record setting evening.
Robbins runs hard and has breakaway speed.
To be honest and it's only from one game-Mike Weber is a very nice back,J.K.Dobbins has the ability to be the next Buckeye great running back.
8) Indiana wide receiver Simmie Cobbs had a huge game (11 for 149 and a score) against Denzel Ward,but Ward won his battles as well.
It seems a little silly to say that Ward played well with the numbers that Cobbs put up,but he broke up some passes and yes,I'd say he played well.
9) Indiana quarterback Richard Lagow played well (especially in the first half),but few teams are going to beat Ohio State throwing the ball 68 times (65 from Lagow).
Inexperienced secondary or not,that isn't happening.but give Indiana credit-they were playing for the win.
I've commented often that big underdogs have two choices to play for the win-throw caution to the wind or play very safe and hope to play perfectly.
10) I thought Indiana lost some momentum in the first half when they replaced Richard Lagow with their running QB Peyton Ramsey.
I hate when teams use their quarterback that way-it just advertises what play calling is going to be coming.
Might as well put a board on :RUNNING QB NOW IN GAME-HE CANNOT PASS!!!
11) I really like Binjimen Victor as the red zone receiver.
Victor caught just one ball,but it was for a score-I think it'll be Victor that becomes the end zone target as the season goes by..
12) Next week against Oklahoma looks like a tough game.
You have to think that the Sooners were watching and Baker Mayfield and company aren't afraid to throw the ball around against the OSU secondary..
The advantage is that this will be new head coach Lincoln Riley's first road game and the Sooners looked to be stronger last year in Norman with the Buckeyes winning anyway.
Ohio State might be able to take advantage of the Sooners defense,which isn't exactly sturdy playing in the porous Big 12,which is the football equivalent of Loyola Marymount basketball under Paul Westhead...
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