Five players to watch on Saturday as #5 Indiana football faces #2 Ohio State

#5 Indiana football travels to Columbus, Ohio, this weekend, taking on #2 Ohio State.

The game is a highly anticipated Big Ten matchup, being featured on ESPN’s College GameDay as well as Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff.

Indiana will look to make it a tight game in attempt to stay within the college football playoff projection.

There are several key Indiana football players to follow during the game as Indiana plays in arguably its most important game of the regular season.

QB: Kurtis Rourke

This weekend will be Kurtis Rourke’s first game at near full strength since October 19, against Nebraska.

Rourke was removed from the game against Nebraska after suffering a thumb injury. The senior quarterback was then sidelined for Indiana’s following game.

While Rourke has started in Indiana’s last two games, it was questioned whether he was at full strength or not, showcasing a glove on his throwing hand in the Michigan State game.

Indiana was fortunate to have a bye week before the Ohio State game, allowing Rourke to have more time to recover and avoid setbacks.

This past Tuesday, Rourke commented on the status of his thumb injury.

“I feel great. I feel really good. I mean that was one of my things I was looking forward to the most, was the bye week, to be able to let my thumb heal up and not beat it up and not have to throw five days a week, six days a week. So I’m really excited, happy with the progress made and I’m feeling pretty close to one hundred percent now.”

Prior to Rourke’s injury against Nebraska, Indiana’s offense was averaging 47.5 points per game. While Ohio State is a tougher matchup than any of those six teams, a fully healthy Rourke could definitely shine and impress this week.

RB: Ty Son Lawton

Ty Son Lawton was Indiana’s most used and most effective ball carrier against Michigan. Lawton brought in 12 carries for 55 rushing yards, an average of 4.6 yards per carry.

Despite being held out of the end zone versus Michigan, Lawton has worked his way into the end zone in seven of Indiana’s ten games this season.

Lawton has recorded 106 carries thus far, moving the ball for 508 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.

Lawton’s run game isn’t the only threat his game poses. As the season has progressed, he’s shown himself to be quite the pass catcher, bringing in eight catches for 101 receiving yards. Lawton’s longest reception was recorded at 35 yards in Indiana’s 56-7 victory over Nebraska.

WR: Ke’Shawn Williams

Ke’Shawn Williams has quickly become one of Rourke’s biggest connections on the field.

Rourke has completed 12 passes to Williams in Indiana’s last two games, totaling 156 receiving yards, an average of 13 yards per catch.

Williams’ emergence in the offensive plan has been a huge help in Indiana’s recent success.

Williams spoke on what Indiana needs to do as a team to roll out a win.

“It takes more than just the offense, it takes more than just the defense, it takes more than special teams. It takes all three units to click together at one time. When your doing enough and your a good team and you stay confident, stay poised in those situations, no moment is too big.”

Williams has 27 catches this season for 341 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

Expect to see Williams grab several receptions Saturday afternoon.

LB: Aiden Fisher

Aiden Fisher continues to be one of the x-factors on Indiana defense.

Fisher recorded 14 total tackles in Indiana’s last game, against Michigan.

Fisher’s stellar day brought his season totals up to 98 total tackles and 37 solo tackles.

Fisher, a junior linebacker, previewed what he and the defensive room have prepared to see, come Saturday.

“The biggest thing for us is keeping those dynamic explosive playmakers in front of us and just making sure we’re doing all the little things right on our end.”

Fisher and Indiana’s elite defense have allowed over 20 points in a game just twice this season. The defensive crew will look to continue that trend this weekend.

DL: CJ West

Ohio State’s starting center, Seth McLaughlin, will be sidelined Saturday afternoon after suffering an achilles injury in practice on Tuesday.

In addition to McLaughlin’s injury, Ohio State is without starting left tackle Josh Simmons, who had a season ending knee injury in October.

CJ West, one of the bigger presences on Indiana’s defensive line, will now have the opportunity for a big game.

West stepped up big against Michigan, collecting nine total tackles, four of which were solo tackles.

On the year, West has 32 total tackles, 11 solo tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble.

West is expected to give Indiana’s defense a huge, much needed boost, when matching up against Ohio State’s second hand offensive line.

Saturdays kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. ET from Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

SEE ALSO: Say what? Joey Galloway thinks benching Kurtis Rourke to avoid injury is best-case to keep Indiana football in CFP field

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