Penn State Nittany Lions

Big Ten East: 4-0 Indiana embracing chance to take on Ohio State

Published Sep. 29, 2015 9:15 a.m. ET

Marcus Hartman

Indiana football is 4-0 for the first time in 25 years. The Hoosiers haven't been 5-0 since 1967, and to match that mark this season all they have to do is beat the top-ranked, defending national champions.

Nobody had to remind Hoosiers coach Kevin Wilson of that Monday when he met with reporters in Bloomington.

"Moving on to Ohio State, again, very, very good team in all areas," Wilson said. "No. 1 in the nation, longest win streak in the country -- those aren't flukes. They're complete."

The Hoosiers' head man is even impressed with the Buckeyes' punter, Cam Johnston, who perhaps coincidentally or perhaps not was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week earlier in the day.

"You talk about all the players, shoot, their punter is as good as anyone," Wilson said. "They're great in the kicking game, their defense, their front, their aggressiveness, their coverage, tremendous linebackers.

"Offensively, a boatload of skill and depth and playmakers. Offensive line, well coached. Coach (Urban) Meyer is as good as anyone on his staff and what goes on.

"A lot of talent. A very, very strong opponent."

Indiana is no stranger to having to go through Ohio State to improve to 5-0. The Buckeyes have been the ones standing in the Hoosiers' way the last three times they were in this situation, and Indiana has yet to score a win. The teams tied in the fifth game of the 1990 season, and Ohio State beat 4-0 Indiana teams in 1985 and '86.

The Hoosiers were 5-0-1 in 1988 when they lost at Michigan, but the last time they had a perfect record through five games was 1967, when they started 8-0 before losing to Minnesota. That was the last time Indiana won the Big Ten, and the year the Hoosiers made their only Rose Bowl appearance.

"It is good to be at home," Wilson said after his team improved to 4-0 with a 31-24 win at Wake Forest last week.

"We look forward to just having a strong week of preparation. We're into it now. We look forward to having a good week and see if we can continue to improve. Excited with our guys, and just want to see if they can keep working each week and getting better. Looking forward to a strong challenge as we start Big Ten play this week."

Indiana has never beaten a No. 1-ranked team, posting an 0-15 mark. The last time the Hoosiers took a shot at No. 1 was 2006, when they lost to Ohio State 44-3.

Ohio State is also the last No. 1 team to visit Bloomington, where the Buckeyes won a 38-7 decision in 1998.

Ohio State leads the all-time series with the Hoosiers 71-12-5. Indiana's last win in the series was a 41-7 blowout in Bloomington in 1988. They also won in Columbus the previous season. Those are their only two wins in the series since 1951.

Spartans, Nittany Lions hurting

Penn State and Michigan State are a combined 7-1, but both have some injury concerns as September comes to a close.

The Nittany Lions' top two tailbacks both went down with injuries during a 37-21 win over San Diego State, and both of their starting safeties were sidelined by the time the game was over, too.

Michigan State finished its 30-10 win over Central Michigan without either of its expected No. 1 starting tackles. Left tackle Jack Conklin was hurt against the Chippewas while No. 1 right tackle Kodi Kieler has been sidelined since early in the Spartans' win over Oregon on Sept. 12.

Both coaches maintain a general policy of not commenting on injuries unless they are season-ending, although Dantonio has told reporters he expects Kieler to return at some point this season.

Buckeyes, Wolverines stingy on 'D'

Ohio State and Michigan enter conference play among the best in the nation defensively, at least as far as statistics go.

The Wolverines rank No. 2 in the nation in total defense (203.8 yards per game) while Ohio State is sixth (253.3), and the teams are fifth and eighth, respectively, in passing yards allowed per game and eighth and ninth in pass efficiency defense. Michigan is tied for fourth nationally (with Wisconsin) in scoring defense (9.5 points per game) while Ohio State is 10th (12.3 ppg.)

Marcus Hartman covers the Big Ten East and Notre Dame for FOX Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @marcushartman.