The Ohio State Buckeyes are 12–0 after defeating bitter rival Michigan last Saturday in “The Game.” Now they shift their focus to a new Big Ten challenger in the Indiana Hoosiers, who are also 12–0, as the two prepare to meet this Saturday evening at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. These programs stand as the clear No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the nation and have handled their 2025 schedules with remarkable ease.
Ohio State enters the matchup as a 4.5-point favorite over Indiana in a game that promises to deliver pure cinema.
Here are five reasons the Buckeyes will stay undefeated against Indiana and claim their first Big Ten Championship since 2020.
Ohio State history vs. Indiana
The last time the Hoosiers beat the Buckeyes was October 8, 1988. Yes, you read that correctly. It has been more than 36 years since Indiana last knocked off Ohio State. The Buckeyes have owned this matchup for more than three decades, leading the all-time series 81-12-5. That margin is almost unbelievable, and it highlights how legitimate Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti is and how quickly he has pushed this Hoosiers program into national relevance.
I genuinely believe Cignetti is a major reason so many college football coaches have been fired this year. He inherited a historically bad Indiana team and turned them into a real threat in his first season. Last year, he took the Hoosiers to an 11-2 record and a spot in the College Football Playoff, and this season they are 12-0 with a shot at a Big Ten title and a first-round CFP bye. It is absolutely wild. Athletic directors across the country must be furious as they look at their own football coaches and wonder how Cignetti turned Indiana into a powerhouse seemingly overnight, while their teams continue to languish in mediocrity.
Cignetti deserves a ton of credit, but even last year, when Indiana played Ohio State, the Buckeyes kept their unbeaten streak alive with a 38-15 win. If anyone can finally break this 36-year run, it is Cignetti, but that is a massive challenge for any coach and any team.
Ohio State offense indoors
Ohio State’s offense in domes has been nothing short of explosive under Ryan Day. Since 2018, the Buckeyes have lit up the scoreboard in big indoor games
2018 Big Ten Championship versus Northwestern – 45 points2019 Big Ten Championship versus Wisconsin – 34 points2019 Fiesta Bowl versus Clemson – 23 points2020 Big Ten Championship versus Northwestern – 22 points2020 Sugar Bowl versus Clemson – 49 points2022 Peach Bowl versus Georgia – 41 points2023 Cotton Bowl versus Missouri – 3 points with starters mostly resting2024 Cotton Bowl versus Texas – 28 points2024 National Championship versus Notre Dame – 34 points
That is nine games and 279 points, averaging 31 points per game. Excluding the 2023 Missouri game, when Ohio State had almost nothing to play for and many starters out, the average jumps to 34.5 points over eight games.
With the Buckeyes healthy and heading into this weekend’s indoor matchup in Indianapolis, we can expect the Ryan Day offense at its most dangerous, fast, relentless, and capable of going nuclear at any moment.
The curious case of the 2025 Indiana Hoosiers
The Indiana Hoosiers have cruised through their schedule with ease and boast one of the marquee wins in college football this year with their victory over the Oregon Ducks in Eugene. They have dominated much of Big Ten competition and lead the nation in numerous statistical categories. Yet two games came down to the wire, and it is safe to assume Ohio State has studied these contests closely. Indiana narrowly squeaked past both Iowa and Penn State with late touchdown passes, winning by five points and three points, respectively.
In both of these games, the Indiana run game was stifled, and quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw an interception. Against Iowa, the Hoosiers ran the ball 39 times for just 104 yards. Against Penn State, they ran it 31 times for 108 yards. Limiting the run appears to be a key to beating Indiana. If Ohio State can contain the Hoosiers on the ground, Mendoza will be forced to throw against a stout Buckeye secondary.
Mendoza is elite and has been unstoppable at times this season, supported by his two standout wide receivers, Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt, but this will be a tall task against Ohio State’s defensive backfield. Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia will likely look to fluster Mendoza with exotic blitzes and stunts, aiming to force a turnover or two and swing the momentum. Stopping the run is priority number one, but generating tackles for loss and consistent pressure on Mendoza is where the mistakes for Indiana are most likely to happen.
Can Ohio State running back Bo Jackson keep rolling?
Last week against Michigan, Bo Jackson was instrumental in securing a Buckeyes victory. He rushed 22 times for 117 yards, including a long 36-yard run that showcased his explosiveness. Jackson has been on a roll lately, rushing for at least 110 yards in each of his last three games, and if the Buckeyes hope to win the Big Ten this Saturday, he will need another big performance on the ground.
Indiana, however, boasts an elite rush defense, ranking second in the country just behind Texas Tech. They are allowing only 79.2 yards per game, 2.94 yards per carry, and have given up just five rushing touchdowns all season. The Hoosiers’ defense is among the top four in the nation and has created a significant number of turnovers, with 16 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries.
Ohio State’s run game and overall offense will need to be especially aware of linebacker Aiden Fisher, one of the nation’s best, who will be looking to force fumbles and challenge Julian Sayin at every opportunity. If the Buckeyes can establish a consistent running attack and get strong push from their offensive line, it will help open up passing lanes later in the game and give them a better chance to exploit Indiana’s defense.
Julian Sayin has a chance to make history
The winner of this game on Saturday, assuming a strong performance, is likely to take home the Heisman Trophy. Fernando Mendoza is the current favorite, but Julian Sayin is closing in, and Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia is lurking in the shadows, though he does not have a game this weekend to boost his Heisman stock. If Sayin plays well and Ohio State comes out on top, he would become just the third redshirt freshman ever to win the Heisman, joining the elite company of Johnny Manziel and Jameis Winston.
Sayin has already set the all-time college football completion percentage record, surpassing Bo Nix’s 77.4 percent with his own mark of 78.9 percent. He has amassed 3,065 passing yards with 30 touchdowns and just five interceptions. A standout performance on Saturday could cement his place among the greats and make him the first Buckeye to win the Heisman since Troy Smith in 2006.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: 5 reasons Ohio State will beat the Indiana Hoosiers in Indianapolis
Reporting by Griffin Dreifaldt, Buckeyes Wire / Buckeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
