College Football Playoff 2017: Projected top 4 after Week 1

The Ohio State Buckeyes started out very sluggish against the Indiana Hoosiers in their road season opener. It was a rare Thursday Big Ten matchup for the Buckeyes but some could call it a much-needed wake up call.

Ohio State trailed 14-13 to the Hoosiers at halftime before they turned things up a notch. The Buckeyes outscored Indiana 36-7 to eventually pull out to a 49-21 victory.

True freshman J.K. Dobbins ran for 181 rushing yards on 29 carries to carry the ground game. J.T. Barrett shook off a sluggish first half to throw three touchdowns to three different players in the second half.

He showed off the speed of Parris Campbell with a 74-yard strike to put the Buckeyes up 26-21 for the first time since they led 3-0 in the first quarter. Campbell finished the game with six receptions for 136 receiving yards and a touchdown in the game.

Barrett finished with 304 passing yards and three passing touchdowns in the game. It was the Buckeyes defense that took awhile to get going in the game.

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They allowed Indiana quarterback Richard Lagow to throw two passing touchdowns in the first half and wide receiver Simmie Cobbs Jr. gave them fits all game. Cobbs Jr. finished with 11 catches for 149 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Next week, the Buckeyes face the Oklahoma Sooners and quarterback Baker Mayfield. If they allow Mayfield to pass and find his rhythm, the Sooners could be avenging their 45-24 loss last season in no time.

The Ohio State Buckeyes should be sure to tighten up the pass defense or they could find themselves on the outside looking in at the College Football Playoff come January.