Game 5: Indiana v. Ohio State: an initial look and series history.

Ohio State Buckeyes

2009 record: 3-1 (1-0 in Big Ten)

2008 record:10-3 (7-1), lost to Texas in Fiesta Bowl

2008 Sagarin: 14

2009 Sagarin: 13

Coach: Jim Tressel (9th year, 86-20)

Series: Ohio State leads 65-12-5

Last Ohio State win:  10/21/2006 (44-3 in Columbus)

Last IU win: 10/8/1988 (41-7 in Bloomington)

TV: 7 pm, Big Ten Network

For the second consecutive week, IU plays one of the Big Ten teams with a lopsided advantage over IU.  Many IU fans recall fondly a four year stretch from 1987-1990.  In 1987, in the so-called "darkest day in Ohio State history," IU whipped the Buckeyes in Columbus 31-10 and likely cost Buckeye coach Earle Bruce his job.  In 1988, IU won 41-7 in Bloomington (see video below the fold).  In 1989, the Buckeyes got back on the winning side with a 35-31 win in Columbus but the two teams tied at 27 in 1990.  That four year stretch is an oasis in this rivalry.  Before 1987, IU last defeated Ohio State in 1951, Woody Hayes's first year.  Since then, although there have been some close games, IU really hasn't been competitive with the Buckeyes since 1996, when the Buckeyes pulled away late to win 27-17.

Still, for two sweet years, the Hoosiers dominated the series as thoroughly as OSU has dominated it, well, for most of the other 100 years.

As for the 2009 game, the Buckeyes will present the most formidible test to date for IU's offense in particular.  But I'll worry about that tomorrow.