Buckeye Bits: The men’s basketball schedule is finally here!

Alright, give it to me straight. How are we feeling about Saturday? Nervous? Confident? Queasy? I’d say that I am “cautiously optimistic.” Look, I didn’t like what I saw in the Rutgers game. I didn’t like it one bit. And it does not make me feel good about Indiana and their pass-happy quarterback. But maybe I’m overthinking things. Maybe because it was a night game against ~Rutgers~ in an empty stadium, players’ were in a “can we just get this over with” state of mind. This week is much different in that they got a couple extra days to prepare for the Hoosiers in light of last week’s game being canceled. They know Indiana will be the toughest team they face in the regular season and will adjust their mindsets accordingly. And they’re aware of what they need to fix from said Rutgers game. So I really do think the Buckeyes are going to win this game, I just don’t think it’s going to be a walk in the park (which is how I prefer my football watching experience). But, at the end of the day, even if the secondary decides to stay home again and the running backs don’t feel like getting first downs...say it with me folks...we’ll always have Justin Fields.

Speaking of which, let’s get to today’s Ohio State news where we hear the players and coaches themselves give their thoughts on No. 9 Indiana.

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Biggest news of the day...

Ohio State announced that there will be no family members at games for the next 28 days, including the game against Indiana. This also goes for basketball and hockey games that are scheduled for the remainder of 2020.

The university will revaluate the decision to allow families to the last game of the season against Michigan on Dec. 12.

The Big Ten finally announced the 2020-21 men’s basketball schedule (a week before the season opener its fine).

If you don’t feel like reading the release, here’s the Buckeyes’ schedule:

Nov. 25 – Illinois State (2 p.m., ESPN2 or ESPNU)

Nov. 29 – UMass-Lowell (4 p.m., BTN)

Dec. 2 – Morehead State (5 p.m., BTN)

Dec. 5 – Alabama A&M (TBD, BTN or BTN+)

Dec. 8 – at Notre Dame

Dec. 16 – at Purdue

Dec. 23 – Rutgers

Dec. 26 – at Northwestern

Dec. 30 – Nebraska

Jan. 3 – at Minnesota

Jan. 6 – Penn State

Jan. 9 – at Rutgers

Jan. 13 – Northwestern

Jan. 16 – at Illinois

Jan. 23 – at Wisconsin

Jan. 27 – Purdue

Jan. 31 – Michigan State

Feb. 4 – at Iowa

Feb. 8 or Feb. 9 – at Maryland

Feb. 13 – Indiana

Feb. 18 – at Penn State

Feb. 21 – Michigan

Feb. 25 – at Michigan State

Feb. 28 – Iowa

March 6 – Illinois

What the Buckeyes are saying...

A few players and coaches met with the media on Wednesday to discuss their preparation for Indiana, and QB1 was up first.

Fields is not exactly known for throwing interceptions, and he said he makes it a point of emphasis to make sure he doesn’t. He said he thinks most of Indiana’s 10 interceptions are due to quarterbacks’ panicking under pressure.

Also, in what universe is Fields going to answer this question with a “yes” or a “no?”

Regarding Indiana’s defense, which he says is toughest defense they’ll face this season, Fields said he and Josh Myers work well together to identify blitzers, and that he trusts the O line to get their issues fixed quickly.

Brian Hartline was up next, and said that Jameson Williams and the rest of the freshmen have really stepped up, and that everyone is happy with the distribution of the ball because, well, it’s clearly working.

He also touched on freshman WR Julian Fleming and his improvement since the Rutgers game.

Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Greg Mattison took the mic next. He said tackling was easily the the biggest issue for the backup defenders who played against Rutgers in the second half.

Mattison says Indiana is the best team they’ve prepared for so far, and that quarterback Michel Penix “can put the ball where he wants to put it” and that “its going to be a big challenge.” However some good news coming out of the secondary:

In regards to preparation, he’s crossing all his T’s and dotting all his I’s.

Last but not least, Zach Harrison, who said he’s progressing every single day.

Harrison reiterated the importance of the defensive ends rotating to keep everyone fresh, which really pays off toward the end of the game.

Harrison said Larry Johnson tells them he has five starters, but that Jonathon Cooper starts every week because “he’s the OG.”

For more quotes, check out Eleven Warriors Presser Bullets:

I don’t know...none of it?

Two Buckeyes sit atop the NFL’s Rookie Ratings!

Tag your favorite LSU fan!

For a laugh...

I know we’re supposed to hate these guys this week, but I highly recommend following Crimson Quarry — SB Nation’s Indiana blog — on Twitter.

Have you seen anything more beautiful?