Like OSU, Hoosiers having some problems

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Coaches who have confronted difficult positions square off when Indiana visits Ohio State.

Kevin Wilson’s Hoosiers (1-8, 0-5 Big Ten) have lost six games in a row and are gushing points on defense, allowing 204 over their last four — yes, that’s 51 a game. They’re also coming into Ohio Stadium, where they haven’t won in 24 years.

Ohio State interim coach Luke Fickell and his staff have had to juggle lineups and confront embarrassing situations and questions for much of the last year because of several players’ boneheaded NCAA violations and the dishonesty of former coach Jim Tressel (since forced to resign).

Yet the Buckeyes (5-3, 2-2) say all of the problems they’ve gotten through have actually made it easier to concentrate on the task at hand.

NOTRE DAME-WAKE FOREST

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.

Notre Dame running back Jonas Gray jokes that coach Brian Kelly “wants us to win the ACC.”

Of course, the Fighting Irish aren’t in the Atlantic Coast Conference — though you couldn’t tell that from their November schedule.

They begin a stretch of three straight games against teams from the same ACC division when they visit Wake Forest. Following that are matchups with fellow Atlantic Division members Maryland and Boston College.

LSU-Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.

The LSU and Alabama showdown promises to be a throwback of old-school football.

Both the top-ranked and barely tested Tigers and No. 2 and mostly unchallenged Alabama are built on power runs and run-stuffing defenses when spread offenses are en vogue and huddles are optional.

Alabama tight end Michael Williams says “if you want to see 1970s smashmouth” football, then “this is what you want to see right here.”

Neither Alabama’s Nick Saban nor LSU’s Les Miles is bringing the wishbone back in fashion.

Kent St. 24, Central Michigan 21

KENT

Spencer Keith threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns to help Kent State hold off Central Michigan.

Central Michigan had a chance to force overtime, but David Harman’s 28-yard field-goal attempt sailed wide left on the final play.

Keith completed 17 of 31 passes and didn’t have an interception for the Golden Flashes (3-7, 2-3 Mid-American). Matt Hurdle had three catches for 102 yards and a touchdown, and Trayion Durham ran for 90 yards on 18 carries.

Ryan Radcliff was 26 of 42 for 316 yards and three touchdowns for Central Michigan (3-7, 2-4). He also threw two interceptions. Titus Davis had 10 catches for 192 yards and two touchdowns.