Indiana @ Ohio State preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 3, 2009 ) Ohio State 33, Indiana 14

Jim Tressel is on the verge of a milestone, and a healthy Terrelle Pryor should make getting there no trouble.

Tressel aims for his 100th win at Ohio State when the Buckeyes host Big Ten foe Indiana on Saturday.

Ohio State had no problem dominating its non-conference schedule, rolling over Marshall, then-No.12 Miami and Ohio before putting up 73 points on Eastern Michigan to close out September. Pryor was at his best against Eastern Michigan, throwing four touchdown passes, rushing for a score and adding a receiving touchdown.

But Pryor injured his left quadriceps in the third quarter of a 24-13 victory over Illinois last week and sat out two series before returning in the fourth quarter and leading two scoring drives to secure the win. Pryor -- a dual-threat quarterback who leads Ohio State with 373 rushing yards this season -- mostly handed off in the fourth quarter to protect his leg.

Tressel is bidding to reach the 100-win mark in just 121 games, which would be third-fastest in Big Ten history behind Michigan’s Bo Schembechler and Fielding Yost. Tressel’s 234 total wins ranks second among active coaches behind Penn State’s Joe Paterno (397).

Asked about his quarterback’s health at a press conference this week, Tressel suggested Pryor could be limited, but is getting closer to 100 percent with each passing day.

If he is able to run anywhere close to 100 percent, Pryor could have a big day against the Hoosiers, who rank 108th in the nation in rushing defense. They allow 207 yards per game. Junior Dan Herron rushed for 95 yards on 23 carries against Illinois last week and will be in for another heavy workload against Indiana.

The Hoosiers allowed 297 rushing yards in a 42-35 home loss to Michigan last Saturday, including 207 to opposing quarterback Denard Robinson.

If Indiana hopes to contend against the No. 2 Buckeyes, they will be putting a lot of faith in their prolific passing attack. Senior quarterback Ben Chappell set a school record with 480 yards against the Wolverines and the Hoosiers rank fourth nationally with an average of 348.2 yards per game through the air. Chappell has 12 touchdown pass against one interception this season.

Indiana dominated a weak pre-conference schedule and took Michigan down to the final minute in its Big Ten opener.

Chappell will try to take advantage of an Ohio State secondary that will be without safety Tyler Moeller, who tore a pectoral muscle against Illinois and will need season-ending surgery. Moeller, who had forced two fumbles this season, will likely be replaced by freshman Christian Bryant.

The Buckeyes are allowing just 241.6 yards per game, good for fourth in the nation. They've won 15 straight against the Hoosiers.