Fickell strives to keep team focused

By Bill Rabinowitz

The Columbua Dispatch

COLUMBUS

Mike Adams had not arrived home after Saturday night’s dramatic victory over Wisconsin when the first of two text messages arrived on the Ohio State left tackle’s cellphone.

“Be safe. Keep on pressing. Big week this week. Don’t look past anything,” Adams said the messages read.

One was from coach Luke Fickell. The other came from offensive coordinator Jim Bollman.

And so began this week’s great mission. What do you do when there’s little to fear about the next opponent, which in this case is Indiana? Make sure you find something to fear anyway.

The Buckeyes have what Fickell calls a 17-hour rule. Win or lose, you get that much time to savor or wallow. This was more like 17 minutes.

Adams wasn’t the only one to get the same message.

“It was definitely a mass text,” he said.

The Buckeyes survived — barely — an October that served as a crucible. They rallied after disheartening losses to Michigan State and Nebraska to upset Illinois and Wisconsin.

If Penn State loses to Nebraska or Wisconsin, Ohio State (5-3, 2-2) would advance to the Big Ten title game if it wins out.

“We know that November is where the real games begin,” Fickell said. “How you start isn’t exactly what they remember, but how you finish is the key. And November’s always been a focus for us.

“It’s about us getting better, and we’re going to make sure those guys understand that our preparation will match up with our performance.”

The Buckeyes have been dominant during November in recent years. They have won their past 10 November games and 17 of 18. The only blemish since 2004 was the loss four years ago to Illinois.

Indiana (1-8) does not figure to pose much of a threat. The Hoosiers’ only victory came against South Carolina State of the FCS.

But the Buckeyes are taking nothing for granted.

“There will be no letdown,” Fickell said. “We’ve got a lot better chance at being able to push them when they’re feeling pretty good about themselves. So I promise that will happen.”

The Buckeyes do feel good about themselves after the victory over Wisconsin. But they’ve been on such a roller coaster this season — on and off the field — that it should eliminate any thought of relaxing.

‘We’ve had so many ups and downs,” Fickell said. “If we can’t learn from the experiences we’ve had to not be complacent and understand that every little thing really matters, then we’re not learning and growing.”

That then will become the Buckeyes’ task this week.

“We’re not looking past anyone,” defensive lineman Garrett Goebel said. “We went out and had a good practice. Guys were out flying around. We’ve got to do the same thing tomorrow.”

If the Buckeyes are looking for something to concern them about Indiana, the Hoosiers can score. They put up 24 on Iowa and 38 against Northwestern.

But Indiana’s defense has been putrid. In their past four games, the Hoosiers have surrendered 41, 59, 45 and 59 points.

“We can’t overlook any team,” Adams said. “I think we know a little bit about that. The whole country kind of overlooked us for a while. So we’re not the ones to overlook [anybody].”