With each passing week that I go 1-2, it makes me ever the more thankful that only pride was lost and not rent money. Liveforthepage stands at 19-12 for the year with another special edition this week as another top 5 opponent faces off with the buckeyes. Indiana comes to Columbus this week, well, as long as they are able to navigate the Indiana pothole circus from Bloomington to the Ohio border anyway.

Prediction 1: Weather conditions look to be cloudy in the mid 40s with some wind, what midwesterners often call, ‘football weather’ and shouldn’t hamper the better football team. It’s the perfect kind of weather to have 2 top tier running backs, and that is what the buckeyes will have to focus on early to keep Indiana’s pressure off the quarterback. When I say, ‘better football team’ I mean to say the weather won’t stop the buckeyes from 500 yards of total offense and neither will Indiana. Hoosier daddy?

Prediction 2: If a Big Ten team owns the line of scrimmage, the game can get out of hand fast. With a bevy of injuries to the offensive line this season, we will see here early on a tone being set in the running game by the buckeyes. Judkins and Henderson will combine for 150 rushing yards, if they don’t, this could be a coin flip game. As a high caliber athlete you come to Ohio State for weeks like this, and the scarlet and gray backfield will shine.

Prediction 3: In some ways the buckeyes are playing for their season on Saturday. Indiana is a good football team, but in no universe the fifth best in the country. A loss however would likely mean missing the Big Ten Championship and waiting on pins and needles for a reputational playoff spot. It stands at (-10.5) for Ohio State and I’m sorry, if you don’t cover against Indiana football with this multimillion dollar roster you don’t deserve a spot. Buckeyes cover, scaffolding for Big Noon kickoff’s set stays put for another week in Columbus.

My colleagues and I saw Kirk walking the oval with his dog this morning, and there is no doubt that the dog is the best part about him. Urban will also be on campus this weekend, so maybe they can both get together for food poisoning at his restaurant. The buckeyes turn the page from doubt this week, and with Kirk not on the call, it should be a great watch. Be sure to grab an extra layer if you’re heading to the horseshoe this weekend, and if you have a tee time on Saturday, you’re a hero to me.