Indiana's 'Calvin Johnson' coverage for Smith

Indiana's defense utilized a unique strategy during Saturday's game against Ohio State, deploying extra coverage on star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. This tactic drew comparisons from analyst Pat McAfee to the way NFL legend Calvin Johnson was defended, with two defenders frequently shadowing Smith. McAfee dubbed this approach the 'Calvin Johnson punt gunner coverage.'

Fans observed the unusual defensive attention, with some commenting on quarterback Julian Sayin's limited targets to Smith. Early in the game, Sayin had only two receptions for 20 yards to Smith. This strategy seemed to be working in the first half, as Ohio State trailed 7-3 at halftime.

Despite Indiana's undefeated start to the season, analyst Todd Blackledge predicted challenges for the Hoosiers in containing Smith. He noted that Indiana's boundary cornerbacks are not as strong as the previous year. Blackledge suggested that the team's ability to rely on their cornerbacks for coverage might be tested.