Justin Fields against Indiana: The great, the good, the bad and the ugly

Anytime the name Justin Fields comes up during a discussion of the 2021 NFL draft quarterbacks, a few different games are immediately mentioned.

Northwestern in the Big Ten championship game.

Clemson two seasons ago.

And yes, Indiana during this past regular season.

For those hesitant about Fields’ prospects at the next level, those games are good data points to bolster that position. Fields indeed struggled in those games. While he certainly looked better against Clemson this past season, for some, those contests are tough to look past when considering drafting Fields early in the 2021 draft.

So let’s do this. Let’s dive into Fields’ game against Indiana. A game which was described as a shaky win that put Ohio State’s playoff chances into serious doubt. A game where Fields threw three interceptions and had some jaw-dropping moments…both good and bad.

There’s something for everyone in this breakdown:

If you like Fields, you will like how he continued to battle in this game, fighting against Shane Falco’s idea of “quicksand.” You will also like seeing examples of his arm talent, his athleticism and his ability to make progression reads. There’s even an example of him lining up under center, carrying out a deep drop off of play-action, and attacking downfield. Pro style offense right?

If you do not like Fields, well, there is a lot in here for you as well.