After a tremendous opportunity two weeks ago on the Indiana Radio Network, I’m back on the air for the IU football game—this time calling the game on IU’s student radio station. I’m getting set to make the journey to Columbus, Ohio and visit the legendary ‘Horseshoe.’
My buddy Dan Karell and I will have the broadcast from Ohio Stadium Saturday afternoon beginning around 11:45 AM EST on 99.1 WIUX in Bloomington and online at http://wiux.org. The game will kick-off shortly after noon.
This is certainly a tough matchup for the Hoosiers. After a superb effort last week against Michigan, the Hoosiers fell in closing seconds. Denard Robinson is unreal. Over 200 yards throwing the ball, over 200 yards on the ground and a few touchdowns handed the Hoosiers their first Big Ten loss.
Expect much of the same this week in the Hoosiers second Big Ten game. Clearly with an undefeated 5-0 record and ranked No. 2 nationally, Ohio State will battle from the outset.
Ohio State football is a tremendous program. Ohio Stadium has had 59 consecutive games of more than 100,000 fans. Imagine that Hoosier fans…more than double Memorial Stadium—for every game.
OSU carries a 11 game win streak (nation’s 3rd longest) on the line and looks to become bowl eligible for their 11th straight year. Pretty impressive.
Coach Jim Tressel, in his tenth season with the Buckeyes has his eye on his 100th victory with OSU.
Tressel’s team boasts a potent offense and a tenacious defense. The Bucks lead the Big Ten in turnover margin (1.8) and their defense has held their opponents coreless in 10 quarters…50% of the time.
For Indiana, it’s simply about wins. They need three more wins to become bowl eligible and we all know that is the goal. They return home next weekend for homecoming against Arkansas State. The offense is the best in more than a decade. Ben Chappell is having career numbers and setting IU records along the way.
The offense has scored at least 35 points in each game. IU is ranked 4th nationally in passing offense and is the only team in the country with three wide receivers in the top 25 for receptions. Each week Chappell has a wide array of options to throw to. In fact, he’s thrown to seven different receivers for touchdowns and connected with at least six different targets each game.
Redshirt freshman Ted Bolser tied a school record of four touchdown receptions in just the third game of the season.
The offense hasn’t been the problem. They amassed 568 yards against a quality Michigan team. But the ‘D couldn’t get a stop. Playing these top-notch schools put Indiana’s weakness out for everyone to see. The inability to tackle and difference in speed has been evident. IU must find a way to wrap up the Buckeyes on the first tackle and not get beat by the long ball.
Indiana hasn’t beaten Ohio State since 1988, and I don’t see it happening on Saturday. There’s no question IU will put up a fight and leave it all on the field. However OSU is too powerful and too talented not to come away with a win…at home.
I’m looking forward to broadcasting the game at Ohio Stadium. I can’t imagine over 100,000 fans screaming their team onto victory. The most I’ve ever witnessed is near 70,000 at Lucas Oil Stadium with the Colts. There is a lot of hype with this game. And I’m told by IU personnel to take advantage of a Wendy’s frosty machine in the press box…unreal.
As a student at Indiana, this opportunity is huge and I’ll certainly take advantage of it. I have a passion for sports broadcasting and enjoy being on the airwaves.
Tune in if you can…99.1 in Bloomington, or online at http://wiux.org.