5 Keys to Ohio State beating the Indiana Hoosiers Saturday in Week 7

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Saturday’s matchup between Ohio State and Indiana marks the third year in a row that the two teams have faced off in a top-10 showdown.

In 2024, the sixth-ranked Buckeyes topped the eighth-ranked Hoosiers in Columbus. Last season, the two squads met on a much bigger stage in the Big Ten Championship game. Ohio State came into the matchup ranked No. 1 in the country, but it was second-ranked Indiana that ended up hoisting the Stagg Championship Trophy after winning 13-10.

Now, the Hoosiers welcome the Buckeyes to Bloomington for the biggest football game ever played in Memorial Stadium. Indiana currently holds a 22-game winning streak, and the contest features the last two College Football Playoff national champions.

This Big Ten showdown has massive conference and playoff implications, and with any big matchup, there are keys to the game that will determine which team comes out on top. Let’s take a look at what the Buckeyes need to do to find success against the Hoosiers.

Ohio State must get Jeremiah Smith involved early and often

Jeremiah Smith is the biggest playmaker in the country and the Heisman favorite. The Buckeyes need to get the ball in Smith’s hands as much as possible.

Ohio State offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has done a great job so far this season scheming up different ways to get Smith involved. The wide receiver has always been a matchup nightmare for defenses down the field, but on Saturday against Maryland we saw Smith turn short passes into big plays. His first catch of the game came on a simple drag route, which he turned upfield for a 33-yard touchdown. Smith showcased his yards-after-catch ability for a second time when he took a screen pass 40 yards for another score.

Whether it’s the deep ball or screen passes, Ohio State must look Smith’s way often. Indiana will surely have its eyes on No. 4 at all times, but in this big game, the Buckeyes cannot shy away from their star.

Ohio State must protect quarterback Julian Sayin

In the Big Ten Championship, Indiana sacked Julian Sayin five times as it held Ohio State to just 10 points. This time around, the Buckeyes must find a way to keep Sayin up on his feet and give him time to work the ball down the field.

It will be no easy task for this Ohio State offensive line that has struggled so far this year. The Buckeyes rank No. 14 in the Big Ten in sacks allowed, while the Hoosiers have accumulated the most sacks in the conference. Stephen Daley and Tobi Osunsanmi lead this formidable Indiana pass rush and currently share the lead for the most sacks in the Big Ten with five apiece.

Ryan Day expects starting right tackle Phillip Daniels to return this week after missing the last four games with an injury suffered in the loss at Texas. Daniels’ return should help tighten up the protection for Sayin, but the Buckeyes are still missing the leader on the offensive line. Senior team captain Austin Siereveld missed last week’s game against Maryland due to an illness, and his status for this week remains up in the air. If Siereveld can’t play, Gabe VanSickle is expected to move back to guard after shifting over to play tackle last week.

Regardless of the offensive line’s configuration this week, the Buckeyes must protect their quarterback. If Sayin faces constant pressure, Ohio State could suffer a similar fate to its Big Ten Championship matchup against Indiana.

The Ohio State defense must slow down the Indiana running game

Much of Indiana’s offensive success comes on the ground. The Ohio State defense needs to limit the Hoosier rush attack to get off the field.

Indiana currently boasts the top rushing offense in the Big Ten, totaling 1,328 yards while averaging 6.1 yards per carry. Lee Beebe Jr. and Turbo Richard create a relentless one-two punch for the Hoosiers. Richard leads all Big Ten running backs with 597 yards and 8.4 yards per carry, while Beebe Jr. is third in rushing with 551 yards.

Ohio State’s defense has overall done a decent job stopping the run this season, but Illinois proved that the Buckeye defense can give up explosive run plays. Illinois rushed for 199 yards and averaged over six yards per carry. Ohio State cannot afford to allow big run plays and must force Indiana to gain its yards by the air.

Last weekend, Nebraska held Indiana in check, holding it to just 65 rushing yards. This kept the Cornhuskers in the game. If the Buckeyes stop the run, they will likely win this all-important matchup.

Ohio State has to convert on 3rd and 4th downs

Ohio State’s inability to convert on third and fourth down proved costly in its last matchup against Indiana in the 2025 Big Ten Championship Game. The Buckeyes will need to do a better job in this category to win on Saturday.

Ohio State converted on just four of its 12 third-down attempts and failed on its lone fourth-down opportunity. These missed chances resulted in multiple stalled drives and kept the Buckeyes from scoring.

The costliest failed conversion came late in the third quarter, when Julian Sayin fell inches short of picking up the first down on fourth and one from the Indiana five-yard line. Ohio State turned the ball over on downs and failed to put points on the board in the red zone.

AFTER REVIEW JULIAN SAYIN'S KNEE IS RULED DOWN AND IT'S @IndianaFootball's BALL! 😱 pic.twitter.com/vP7gyfXa5u

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 7, 2025

In any close game, a team must convert on third and fourth down to find success. The Buckeyes will be looking to convert on these downs to extend drives and keep their high-powered offense on the field.

Ohio State has to make late-game field goals

This last key might be a sensitive subject for many Buckeye fans, but Ohio State has struggled to make a field goal in high-pressure moments in recent years. It sometimes seems that regardless of the distance, timing, or score, a missed kick finds its way into every big Ohio State contest.

Last year, Jayden Fielding missed the game-tying 27-yard field goal with 2:48 remaining on the clock in the Big Ten Championship. This miss ultimately led to the Indiana victory over Ohio State. Fielding had a handful of other misses in big moments for the Buckeyes during his career that also resulted in losses.

Ohio State fans thought the kicking issues were in the past with Fielding gone, but most recently against Texas, Connor Hawkins missed a 45-yard field goal that would have made it a two-possession game with 4:16 remaining. Texas proceeded to drive down the field and win the game.

Will Ryan Day trust Hawkins to attempt a field goal in the fourth quarter if the situation arises? That remains to be seen. However, if Hawkins does get another chance in a pressure-packed moment, he must deliver. In a game that could be decided by a few points, making a late-game kick could be the difference between Ohio State leaving Bloomington with a win and suffering another heartbreaking loss.

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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: 5 Keys to Ohio State beating the Indiana Hoosiers Saturday in Week 7

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