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Everything you need to know ahead of Ohio State's game against Indiana

Columbus Dispatch
·8 min read

A new Ohio State football season is about to kick off.

After finishing the 2022 season in the College Football Playoff semifinal against Georgia, the No. 3 Buckeyes will begin 2023 with a Big Ten road game, taking on Indiana at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 2.

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Ohio State's game against Indiana is the Buckeyes' second road Big Ten opener in the past three seasons, beginning the 2021 season with a 45-31 win against Minnesota.

Indiana a mere tuneup for Ohio State football in opener? Don't tell that to Ryan Day

Ohio State is breaking in a new starting quarterback in Kyle McCord and a mostly new offensive line. To do that against a team like Notre Dame would fill coaches with plenty of angst, regardless of their stated confidence in their players.

Instead, the Buckeyes open the 2023 season Saturday at Indiana, a team that hasn’t beaten Ohio State since 1988 and is picked to be at or near the bottom of the Big Ten East.

What channel is the Ohio State football game on? What to know about OSU vs. Indiana

Ohio State's game against Indiana is the Buckeyes' second road Big Ten opener in the past three seasons, beginning the 2021 season with a 45-31 win against Minnesota.

The Buckeyes have won 27 straight against Indiana, starting their streak with a 20-16 win Nov. 16, 1991 after tying the Hoosiers in 1990. Ohio State's last loss to Indiana was in 1988 when the Hoosiers beat the Buckeyes 41-7 in Bloomington.

Why is Ohio State-Indiana on CBS? Explaining the Big Ten's new TV and media rights deal

When CBS cameras pan over a college football stadium Saturday for the network’s mid-afternoon game, it won’t be a sun-soaked SEC venue where some men are inexplicably wearing button-up shirts and ties in 100-degree temperatures and oppressive humidity.

Rather, it will be Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana, where No. 4 Ohio State will be kicking off its 2023 season against Indiana.

Who's starting for OSU Saturday? Here's the Ohio State football projected depth chart vs. Indiana

In 2023, though, Ohio State has a few new faces. Read more.

How can the Buckeyes beat Indiana? Three keys for Ohio State football's season opener

Here are three keys for No. 3 Ohio State against Indiana on Saturday. Read more.

Experts make their predictions for the Ohio State vs Indiana game

The Buckeyes are favored by 30 points. Here is what the writers at The Columbus Dispatch and Indianapolis Star predict for the game.

Nov 12, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (35) tackles Indiana Hoosiers running back Shaun Shivers (2) during the second half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 56-14. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch
Nov 12, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (35) tackles Indiana Hoosiers running back Shaun Shivers (2) during the second half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 56-14. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

Four things to know about Ohio State football's 27-game win streak vs. Indiana

A lot has happened to Ohio State football in the past 34 seasons.

The Buckeyes have won two national championships, finishing 17 seasons in one of the top five spots in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. Ohio State has also had two seasons of finishing with a .500 record or worse: 1999 and 2011.

But there's one thing Ohio State has not done in the past 34 seasons: lose to Indiana.

Aug 3, 2023; Columbus, OH, USA; The Ohio State quarterback position is unsettled this year: competing for the job is (from left) sophomore Devin Brown (6), junior Kyle McCord (33), freshman Lincoln Kienholz (12) and senior Tristan Gebbia (13). They were doing drills during the first football practice of the 2023 season at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Doral Chenoweth-The Columbus Dispatch

Ryan Day says OSU QB battle to continue, but Kyle McCord to start vs. Indiana

Ryan Day said Tuesday that Kyle McCord will start at quarterback for Ohio State in Saturday’s season opener at Indiana, but the quarterback competition has not necessarily been settled for good. Devin Brown will also play Saturday, Day said.

"Kyle has done a great job over the last two weeks of showing consistency," Day said. "He's played very well in practice. But Devin has also shown throughout the body of the preseason that he deserves to play. We have confidence in both of them.

Apr 15, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Kyle McCord (6) looks for a play during the first quarter of the Ohio State Buckeyes spring game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday morning. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch
Apr 15, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Kyle McCord (6) looks for a play during the first quarter of the Ohio State Buckeyes spring game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday morning. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Who is Kyle McCord? Meet Ohio State football's 2023 starting quarterback

After two seasons as C.J. Stroud's backup, the junior quarterback was named as the Buckeyes' starter for their season opener against the Hoosiers at 3:30 p.m. Saturday on CBS. McCord beat out redshirt freshman Devin Brown for the first-team reps, while coach Ryan Day said both will take snaps in the first game of the 2023 season.

Here's what you need to know about McCord and his journey to becoming Ohio State's starting quarterback.

Oller: Kyle McCord gets Ohio State starting nod, but don't write Devin Brown off just yet

Who is Devin Brown? Meet the Ohio State quarterback who will back up Kyle McCord to begin 2023

Devin Brown will begin the 2023 season second on Ohio State's quarterback depth chart.

The redshirt freshman quarterback will back up Kyle McCord to begin Ohio State's 2023 season Saturday against Indiana. Ohio State coach Ryan Day confirmed that Brown will play against the Hoosiers, saying he was "confident" in both options as the Buckeyes' successor to C.J. Stroud.

Here's what you need to know about Brown ahead of the 2023 season.

April 15, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Kicker Jayden Fielding (38) kicks off the first quarter of the Ohio State spring football game Saturday at Ohio Stadium.Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
April 15, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Kicker Jayden Fielding (38) kicks off the first quarter of the Ohio State spring football game Saturday at Ohio Stadium.Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State football names Jayden Fielding as starting kicker

Jayden Fielding is Ohio State’s primary kicker entering this season.

Fielding, who beat out Parker Lewis in a preseason competition, will kick field goals and extra points, as well as handling kickoffs beginning with Saturday's game at Indiana.

Carson Hinzman to start at center for Ohio State football's season opener at Indiana

Ohio State coach Ryan Day confirmed Tuesday that Carson Hinzman will start at center when the Buckeyes open their season at Indiana on Saturday.

“Carson deserves the opportunity to play,” Day said. “He’s practiced well.”

Sep 17, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Ty Hamilton (58) pursues Toledo Rockets quarterback Dequan Finn (7) during the first half of the NCAA Division I football game at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch
Sep 17, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Ty Hamilton (58) pursues Toledo Rockets quarterback Dequan Finn (7) during the first half of the NCAA Division I football game at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

Get to know Ohio State football defensive lineman Ty Hamilton

Ohio State's Ty Hamilton is looking to build on a breakout season.

Last year the defensive lineman recorded 19 tackles in 13 games. He started against Northwestern, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan and then against Georgia in the College Football Playoff semifinals. During that CFP game, he had three solo tackles, which marked a career-high for him, so he has some momentum heading into his fourth year with the program.

As Ohio State football season approaches, these five questions could determine its success

The defense has enviable depth and is brimming with confidence in the second year of Jim Knowles’ scheme.

But major questions remain unanswered, and those will likely determine how successful this season will be.

After faltering in 2022, Ohio State defense expects excellence in Year 2 under Jim Knowles

The definitive answers won’t be known until the season starts at the earliest, and likely not until the Notre Dame game on Sept. 23.

But for the Ohio State defense, the vibes are positive coming out of training camp. The Buckeyes’ defense made significant strides in 2022 under first-year coordinator Jim Knowles – until it mattered. Michigan and Georgia torched OSU with big plays in season-ending losses.

Ohio State wide receiver Jayden Ballard, right, tries to get past Indiana linebacker Isaiah Jones, left, and defensive back Bryson Bonds during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 56-14.
Ohio State wide receiver Jayden Ballard, right, tries to get past Indiana linebacker Isaiah Jones, left, and defensive back Bryson Bonds during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 56-14.

Here are Ohio State's 10 best individual performances vs. Indiana

Ohio State has a significant streak to uphold against Indiana.

Having won 78 of 95 meetings against the Hoosiers since their first meeting in 1901, the Buckeyes have not lost a game against Indiana since 1988, and have a 27-game win streak since tying the Hoosiers in 1990.

Big Ten Power Rankings: No Harbaugh, no problem. Michigan cruises with makeshift coaches

Buckle up and settle in for the first Big Ten Power Rankings of 2023, aka the last season Minnesota and Illinois have any chance of playing in the conference championship game. The Big Ten drops its divisional format in 2024, when Southern California, UCLA, Oregon and Washington join the fray. What that means for the Little Ten schools not playing football for a living is it's now or never. And we’re betting on the never.

Oct 1, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day calls a play into quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) in the second quarter of the NCAA Division I football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Ohio Stadium. Osu22rut Kwr 36
Oct 1, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day calls a play into quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) in the second quarter of the NCAA Division I football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Ohio Stadium. Osu22rut Kwr 36

How are Ryan Day-led Ohio State football teams against the spread? Here's a look ahead of 2023 season

Ohio State will begin its 2023 season Saturday as a big betting favorite.

Ahead of their season opener on the road against Indiana at 3:30 p.m. Saturday on CBS, the Buckeyes are 30-point favorites against the Hoosiers with -8000 odds to win on the money line, per DraftKings sportsbook.

Ranking Ohio State football's 2023 schedule by difficulty: Which game is the toughest?

A difficult slate awaits Ohio State this fall as it looks to return to the College Football Playoff.

The schedule includes six true road games, the most in a regular season for the Buckeyes since 1895.

Which matchups will ultimately prove the biggest obstacles? Here is a ranking of Ohio State’s toughest games for 2023.

Ohio State football wide receivers Brandon Inniss and Carnell Tate check into the team's hotel for fall camp in Grandview, Ohio, on Aug. 7, 2023.
Ohio State football wide receivers Brandon Inniss and Carnell Tate check into the team's hotel for fall camp in Grandview, Ohio, on Aug. 7, 2023.

Who are Ohio State football freshmen to watch this year?

Ohio State had another banner recruiting class in 2023, but now patience will be the watchword for most of them.

The Buckeyes finished fourth in the 247Sports.com recruiting rankings this year. They would have ranked higher if they’d had a bigger class than the 21 recruits they signed. Their ranking per player trailed only Alabama and Georgia.

Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State vs Indiana: Everything you need to know ahead of the game