Ohio State @ Indiana preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 22, 2014 ) Indiana 27, Ohio State 42

Top-ranked Ohio State attempts to stretch its record Big Ten regular-season winning streak to 25 consecutive games when it visits Indiana to open conference play on Saturday. The Buckeyes have gone 8-0 in Big Ten play in each of the past three seasons and they also own the nation's longest overall winning streak at 17.

Ohio State junior running back Ezekiel Elliott has posted nine consecutive 100-yard outings dating back to last season and is averaging 19.3 carries per game this season but coach Urban Meyer continues to field questions about a perceived lack of use. "The expectation, I guess, after last year, why aren't they using Zeke?" Meyer said during a press conference. "I get that question every once in a while -- what's wrong with Zeke? -- and I think, what's wrong with Zeke? Zeke's playing fantastic. But a lot of his big hits last year were (off) the perimeter blocking." Indiana is 4-0 for the first time since 1990 but has dropped 20 consecutive games to Ohio State. Junior running back Jordan Howard -- a transfer from UAB -- has been an immediate hit with four straight 100-yard outings and 675 total rushing yards and ranks second in the NCAA per game (168.8) behind LSU star Leonard Fournette (210.3).

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN2. LINE: Ohio State -21.

ABOUT INDIANA (4-0): Senior quarterback Nate Sudfeld ranks fourth in school history with 41 touchdown passes -- including seven against one interception this season -- and will need to turn in a strong game for the Hoosiers to have a chance to beat Ohio State. "It's going to be a great opportunity to start Big Ten play but we're not seeing it as any bigger game than any other week," Sudfeld told reporters. "We treat each week the same whether it's good or bad, but we understand this is a big game for what we want to do this season." A defense allowing 32 points and 499 yards per game will need to get stingy as well as receive typical strong outings from sophomore outside linebacker Marcus Oliver (team-best 28 tackles, two forced fumbles) and senior defensive end Nick Mangieri (team-high three sacks).

ABOUT OHIO STATE (4-0): Junior quarterback Cardale Jones owns the starting gig -- for now -- and has passed for 622 yards and four touchdowns against four interceptions. Elliott has 455 yards and five touchdowns as the lone productive running back and converted receiver Braxton Miller has more rushing yards (136) than receiving yards (122 on seven receptions). The defense is allowing an average of 12.3 points and ranks sixth nationally in total defense (253.3) behind standouts such as sophomore middle linebacker Raekwon McMillan (16 tackles against Western Michigan last Saturday to raise his team-best total to 40) and senior outside linebacker Joshua Perry (38 tackles, two sacks).

EXTRA POINTS

1. Ohio State leads the series 70-12-5.

2. Indiana junior WR Ricky Jones (ankle) is expected to play; he leads the Hoosiers with 18 receptions for 411 yards and three touchdowns.

3. The Buckeyes have won 14 consecutive road games -- the longest such streak in the nation.

PREDICTION: Ohio State 33, Indiana 31