And just like that, Indiana Hoosiers’ head coach Curt Cignetti’s worst nightmare became a reality. It seems that nearly every analyst accurately predicted that the team would struggle against a ranked opponent, and that’s exactly what happened in their Saturday showdown against the Buckeyes. The Hoosiers suffered a 38-15 defeat, leaving them in a state of misery. However, it’s important to remember that the game is not yet over as the Buckeyes are ready to take up their next opponent with full power.
In the post-game press conference, Ohio State Buckeyes star quarterback Will Howard expressed his excitement towards facing their long-time rivals next week. “I can’t wait, man. I can’t wait. I’m like I said, I’m stoked. I’m fired up. You know, this one’s for those guys that came back; this one’s for Buckeye Nation. You know, we’ve been; I feel it, man. I can just feel it,” he said. Well, the intensity of the Michigan-Ohio rivalry is much deeper than anticipated.
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When the Michigan Wolverines indulged in a sign-stealing controversy, there was speculation that Ohio State was behind their predicament. But then what proof does anyone have? It’s just a mere assumption, which only fueled their bitter relationship and finally set it on fire.
Following this, Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day reflected on his emotions after their win and followed the same notion as Will Howard, saying, “Well, it’s just that, you know, we, we know we need to at least celebrate and enjoy the win, but it’s not going to be a late night. We all need to get to bed, we need to get our rest, and we need to enjoy it. You can’t just have a top-five win like this and just move on. The minute it hit triple zeros on that clock, it was on to the team up north, onto the rivalry game.”
It looks like the team really wants to win against their long-time rivals, the Michigan Wolverines. But the win is also quite important for the Buckeyes to break Michigan’s past two years’ dominance over them. And for now, let’s see the impact of Ryan Day’s boys’ victory on the Hoosiers.
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Is Indiana Hoosiers under hot water?
Discussions regarding the Indian’s playoff hopes and the advantage their easy schedule gives them this season have consumed the entire past week. However, nobody expected this assumption to turn into a harsh reality for the team. This loss not only raises questions about their standing in the Big 10 but also casts doubt on their status as a strong playoff contender. Although this loss will not completely ruin their chances of making it to the playoffs, we cannot overlook the fact that Indiana has not managed to win a single game against a ranked team. Consequently, this upcoming Tuesday’s playoff projection will undoubtedly have an impact on their rankings.
However, Michigan’s recent victory over Northwestern has finally made the team bowl-eligible. It’s worth noting that Indiana’s sole victory against a significant opponent this season was against Michigan. While some may question the significance of this victory due to Michigan’s struggles this season, winning six games is still a noteworthy accomplishment for the team. Despite their lowest score against the Buckeyes, the Hoosiers team is still averaging an impressive 425 yards per game. Now, the question that arises is whether they will stand a chance against other strong teams even if they enter the playoffs.
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Will the Bucks' fiery spirit be enough to take down their arch-rivals, the Wolverines?
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