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Our Ohio State football experts make bold predictions for Indiana game
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- Our Ohio State football experts make bold predictions for Indiana game
Following a convincing win over Michigan , top-ranked Ohio State will face No. 2 Indiana in the Big Ten Championship on Dec. 6. in Indianapolis.
Both teams are 12-0 overall and 9-0 in the Big Ten.
Here are our predictions for Saturday's Ohio State-Indiana game:
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Ohio State vs. Indiana predictions
Joey Kaufman, Columbus Dispatch:Ohio State 28, Indiana 20. It's possible that Ohio State has never been as vulnerable against Indiana, and if it's going to stumble in the series for the first time since 1988, the conditions appear ripe. The Hoosiers are coming off their first perfect regular season and get the Buckeyes in their backyard. It's fair to also wonder whether the Buckeyes might suffer some sort of an emotional letdown after ending their losing streak to archrival Michigan. But the wire-to-wire dominance of Ohio State during the regular season makes it too difficult to pick against the No. 1 team.
Rob Oller, Columbus Dispatch:Ohio State 27, Indiana 17. Neither team has seen a defense like what will be encountered at Lucas Oil Stadium, although the Buckeyes are coming off a tougher test in Michigan than the Hoosiers had with Purdue. The hyped matchup is Julian Sayin vs. IU quarterback Fernando Mendoza, but just as central to the outcome will be OSU's offensive line vs. IU's defensive front. Protect Sayin and it will be game, set, match. Slip up and the Hoosiers have more than a fighting chance.
Brianna Mac Kay, Columbus Dispatch:Ohio State 28, Indiana 14. The Buckeyes are entering their first Big Ten title game since 2020 riding the high of their victory over Michigan. Ohio State proved its rushing and passing offense can adapt to the rough conditions in Ann Arbor, but will now be facing an Indiana defense that ranks above Michigan in both areas. With the Hoosiers ranking second nationally in rushing defense, allowing just 79.2 yards per game, Ohio State will need receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate to continue getting back to the form they were in before their respective injuries to pick up the championship victory.
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Dan Aulbach, Columbus Dispatch:Ohio State 28, Indiana 21. Both teams are within the top-five FBS rankings in total and scoring defense, passing efficiency and third down conversion percentage. Indiana has a more impressive win than Ohio State, upsetting the Oregon Ducks and No. 3 defense in the country in Eugene. Indeed, Ohio State has yet to play a team nearly as good as Indiana in 2025, but the Buckeyes' defense and vertical passing game will be the deciding factor in what could be a national championship preview in the Big Ten Championship.
Ohio State vs. Indiana scouting report: What we're watching
Joey Kaufman:There's been no defensive dropoff with Matt Patricia. The Buckeyes surrendered just 93 points during the regular season and kept five of their 12 opponents from scoring a touchdown, including Michigan last week. But Indiana has the first elite offense they have seen this year. The Hoosiers are the second-highest scoring team in the FBS with an average of 44.3 points per game and have an efficient attack led by Fernando Mendoza, the quarterback at the center of the Heisman Trophy race. There's no better barometer for this defense.
Rob Oller:Can Ohio State run the ball as well as it did against Michigan, when it rushed for 186 yards and controlled the time of possession, most impressively going on a 12-minute drive that broke the will of the Wolverines ? Buckeyes tailback Bo Jackson keeps improving, and if he can eat up 100+ yards against the Hoosiers I don't see any way IU leaves Indy with a win. But Indiana's run defense ranks No. 2 in the nation, so it will be a tall task for Jackson and OSU's O-line to deliver the goods.
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Brianna Mac Kay:Ohio State has yet to face a quarterback playing at the level of Fernando Mendoza this season. The redshirt junior is going into postseason play still in the Heisman conversation, ranking below only Julian Sayin nationally in passing rating with a 183.71. The Buckeyes' defense, which is top-ranked nationally in passing, held Michigan's freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood to just eight completions while also forcing an interception. Against Mendoza, will the Buckeyes find the same success?
Dan Aulbach:We already know the talent level of Fernando Mendoza, the Cal transfer Heisman candidate who earned his signature win on a game-winning drive against Penn State. But on the receiving end of a touchdown against the Nittany Lions was Omar Cooper Jr., fourth in the Big Ten in receiving yards and tied with Makai Lemon, Jeremiah Smith and fellow Hoosier receiver Elijah Sarratt in receiving touchdowns (11). Ohio State played well against talented receivers previously (Washington's Denzel Boston and Rutgers' KJ Duff), but how will they fare against an elite receiver duo?
Ohio State vs. Indiana score predictions
Rob Oller: Ohio State 27, Indiana 17
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Joey Kaufman:Ohio State 28, Indiana 20
Brianna Mac Kay:Ohio State 28, Indiana 14
Dan Aulbach:Ohio State 28, Indiana 21
Indiana linebacker Aiden Fisher celebrates with coach Curt Cignetti after beating Purdie on Nov. 29.
Bold predictions
Ohio State trails at halftime
Joey Kaufman:The Buckeyes were down at halftime in both of their most recent appearances in the Big Ten championship game, trailing Northwestern in 2020 and Wisconsin in 2019 before mounting comebacks in the second half. Look out for a similar script.
Ohio State holds Indiana to lowest point total of season
Rob Oller:The Hoosiers scored a season-low 20 points against Iowa, but subtract three from that total and you have OSU's defense turning in another sterling performance, even if it will be the most points allowed by any opponent this season. Against most defenses, IU's offensive firepower can make up for mistakes on offense and defense. Not this time. The Buckeyes are the first team to hold their first 12 opponents to 17 points or fewer since Florida in 1975. The Hoosiers simply won't know what hit them. (Hint: Caleb Downs ).
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Bo Jackson scores a touchdown
Brianna Mac Kay:Bo Jackson had a career performance against Michigan, rushing 117 yards on 22 attempts, but walked away without a touchdown. While the freshman will likely see less action facing Indiana's defense, Jackson could still build upon the continuous success he's had late in the season and find an opportunity to break away for a touchdown run at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Carnell Tate gets two touchdowns
Dan Aulbach:A fully healthy Carnell Tate will be key to getting the best of the Hoosiers. Indiana has allowed the 14th most passing yards in the FBS, but expect Tate to build off his Michigan performance and win a few key one-on-one balls to give Ohio State a clear advantage by using its biggest strength: the deep ball.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: See Ohio State vs Indiana football Big Ten Championship predictions
