1. The quad of Terrelle Pryor. Perhaps no singular body part has been scrutinized more in Ohio over the past week than the quadriceps of junior quarterback Terrelle Pryor. After injuring it early in the third quarter last weekend against Illinois, Pryor missed three offensive series and played gingerly on it for the rest of the game. The official news from Ohio State was nebulous early in the week, but recent reports have indicated that he will play without restriction this Saturday. What that means, exactly, is still unclear, but you do not need a doctor to know that Ohio State’s offensive fortunes are inextricably tied to Terrelle Pryor’s good health.
2. Will Jordan Hall ball? Or, more aptly, will he get the ball? Brandon Saine has struggled the past two games, and Dan “Boom” Herron lacks the burst to break long runs. Jim Tressel has made positive statements about Jordan Hall’s ability, even as recently as this week, so it would not be surprising to see the true sophomore become a larger part of the Ohio State offense as the season progresses. In brief time last season, Hall averaged 5.17 yards per carry on 48 carries. I’ll caution small sample size here, but that number is better than both Saine and Herron’s yards per carry stat this year.
3. Indiana’s Pass Attack. We profiled the Indiana offense at Along the Olentangy, and if you want more information, feel free to head over there to read up on it and ask questions. But for the purpose of a quick primer, all you need to know is this: Ohio State’s secondary has been ravaged by injuries, and the latest one to Tyler Moeller leaves them with true freshman Christian Bryant starting at the integral “Star” position. He will be on the field often against Indiana, which has the 4th ranked passing offense in the country.
4. Coach Jim Tressel’s 100th victory. Sitting at 99-21 in his career at Ohio State, Jim Tressel will be going for his 100th victory in his 122nd game with the Scarlet and Gray. With a victory against the Hoosiers on Saturday, Tressel will be the third quickest coach to reach 100 wins at a Big Ten school, and the quickest ever at Ohio State.
5. And a little self-indulgent history. Ohio State is 66-9-4 against Indiana all time, with Indiana’s last victory coming in 1988. It will have no direct impact upon Saturday’s game, but it is satisfying to revel in the historical dominance of our Midwestern brethren to the west.