Looking to Buck the trend

Since the inception of the IU-Ohio State Big Ten rivalry in 1901, the Buckeyes have dominated, leading the series 62-12-3. The Hoosiers will look to reverse the prevailing trend of the series when they do battle with the Buckeyes at 11 a.m. Saturday in Columbus, Ohio, at Ohio Stadium.\nBoth IU (2-4, 0-3 Big Ten) and Ohio State (3-3, 0-3 Big Ten) come into the game struggling. The Hoosiers have lost their past four games, with their most recent defeat coming at the hands of Northwestern, 31-24. Ohio State has faced similar woes since entering conference play, dropping three straight and falling out of the top 25. This is the first time since 1999 the Buckeyes have dropped three straight. A loss to IU would take OSU back to 1943 and World War II for the last time the scarlet and gray were mired in such a skid.\nDespite the Buckeyes struggling this season, they are still a team that has to be respected, said junior cornerback Buster Larkins.\n"It is still an opponent, there is no such thing as a weak team in our league," Larkins said. "Regardless if it is Ohio State of two years ago or this year's Ohio State team, they are still a good football team, and they've still got players that played in the national championship game."\nThe Buckeyes are, however, a different team from 2002: The team is averaging only 20 points per game and is last in the conference in turnover margin. During the losing streak, the defense has allowed 90 points in its last three games, which was one of its staples during the team's national title run. OSU is spearheaded by junior linebacker A.J. Hawk, a semifinalist for both the Butkus Award, awarded to the top linebacker, and the Lombardi Award, given to the top college lineman. Hawk leads the team and the conference in tackles with 79, averaging 13.2 per contest.\nOhio State's woes don't end on defense, as the offense has struggled, as well, ranking last in yards per game, mustering only 284. The Buckeyes are led by sophomore signal caller Justin Zwick, and seniors Santonio Holmes and Lydell Ross at wide receiver and running back, respectively.\nDespite their youth, the Buckeyes will be a tough opponent on the road in front of a homecoming crowd of 104,000, said IU coach Gerry DiNardo.\n"The one thing that is different from this year's team is experience," DiNardo said. "Even though they are young, they have had success in the background. They know what it is like to win."\nEven though the Hoosier offense ranks 10th in the Big Ten.IU had a breakout game against Northwestern in which the offense gained 430 yards, the bulk coming from a passing game where senior quarterback Matt LoVecchio passed for 329 yards. LoVecchio's popular target for the day, and much of the year, was senior wide receiver Courtney Roby, who stands only 59 yards away from becoming the all-time leader in receiving yards at IU. Roby became the leader in pass receptions against Northwestern, grabbing his 149th reception.\nThe passing game could be important for the Hoosiers to establish against the Buckeyes, as IU has struggled in Big Ten play on the ground, gaining just 89 yards per game. Ohio State ranks dead last in pass defense, giving up more than 250 yards a game.\nGetting the passing game on track will be important for IU to pick up its first win against OSU since 1988, Roby said.\n"We've always had the tools; we didn't always execute," he said. "You have to have that confidence. If you don't have it, you have nothing. We are going to go in there and play hard and do whatever it takes."\nFor six players, there will be an extra incentive to pick up a win against Ohio State, since they hail from the Buckeye state, said junior offensive lineman Adam Hines.\n"It is nice, especially growing up in the shadows of Ohio State, and it will be a good atmosphere," said the Vandalia, Ohio, native. "A win is a win is a win. They are all precious. Winning a football game is one of the best things in the world; it would be a big momentum boost for our team and the program."\n-- Contact staff writer Dan Click at daaclick@indiana.edu