Indiana @ Ohio State preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 9, 2010 ) Indiana 10, Ohio State 38

THE STORY: A lost season has regained some of its promise for Ohio State, which has knocked off ranked conference opponents the last two games. After dispatching then-No. 16 Illinois on Oct. 15, the Buckeyes took a week off and secured their biggest win yet under coach Luke Fickell, a 33-29 triumph over Wisconsin on a last-minute touchdown. Offensively-challenged Ohio State seems to have found its quarterback in dual-threat true freshman Braxton Miller, who rushed for a pair of touchdowns and passed for the game-winning score against the Badgers. Indiana occupies its usual place at the bottom of the Big Ten due to a sieve-like defense that has allowed an average of 51 points over the last four games. The Hoosiers will try to snap a 15-game losing streak in the series when they visit Ohio State on Saturday afternoon.

TV: Big Ten Network. LINE: Ohio State -27.5

ABOUT INDIANA (1-8, 0-5 Big Ten): First-year head coach Kevin Wilson has quickly lost the excitement that came with his hire, managing only one victory -- over FCS South Carolina State. The Hoosiers also start a dual-threat true freshman at quarterback in Tre Robinson, who threw for 169 yards and ran for 121 against Northwestern last weekend. Unfortunately, the defense allowed 616 yards in the 59-38 setback.

ABOUT OHIO STATE (5-3, 2-2 Big Ten): Miller has mostly been effective with his legs but saved his longest pass completion of the season for the right time last Saturday, hitting Devin Smith for a 40-yard touchdown with 20 seconds left to lift the Buckeyes to a 33-29 win. The Buckeyes still rank just 83rd in the FBS in scoring, averaging 24.5 points, but at least now teams need to be aware of Miller’s arm. The defense, which sits 16th, is the team’s calling card and held Wisconsin’s vaunted rushing attack to just 89 yards.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Ohio State sophomore running back Jaamal Berry has been suspended indefinitely after being charged with misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct.

2. Hoosiers leading receiver Damarlo Belcher was dismissed from the team for violating team rules.

3. The Buckeyes have not lost four games in a season since 2004.

PREDICTION: Ohio State 31, Indiana 10 -- The Buckeyes’ offense is still a work in progress, but the Hoosiers will be unable to take advantage.