6 keys to Ohio State beating Indiana in the Big Ten Championship game

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Ohio State vs. Indiana for all the Big Ten confetti. It’s the matchup we so desperately wanted to see midway through the season, and that’s exactly what we have in Indianapolis in the 2025 Big Ten Championship game.

And it is a massive matchup with the No. 1 Buckeyes taking on the No. 2 Hoosiers with the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff on the line and maybe a top four seed — though both of these teams may be safe with that as well. We’ve previewed this one from multiple angles, from what Vegas is saying to coaches’ press conferences, to reasons Ohio State will win, and more, but now it’s time to look at some keys for the Buckeyes in this titanic battle.

You have to get some luck, execute well, and more, but that all hinges on a game plan, so here are six keys to Ohio State beating Indiana in the Big Ten Championship game Saturday night.

Ohio State has to stop Indiana on the ground

Yes, Indiana quarterback Ferndando Mendoza has been fantastic. Yes, he’s likely the Heisman frontrunner right now with Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin right there. But what really allows Mendoza to find open guys is how productive the Hoosiers are in the running game. For all of Mendoza’s accolades, many may be surprised to know that Indiana leads the Big Ten in rushing.

When Indiana did struggle a little in the running game, the games were close. Against Oregon, Penn State, and Iowa, the Hoosiers rushed for under 120 yards, and as a result, the defense was able to defend the passing game much better. You would think the Ohio State defense could duplicate those efforts, and it’ll need to if it wants to dictate terms in this game.

No satisfaction for Ohio State

One thing I think many are worried about for Ohio State is how it comes back from such an emotional win over Michigan. It had been six years (four straight games) since the Buckeyes tasted victory in The Game, and winning it this year in the Big House was about as satisfying as it can get.

Oftentimes, if your goal is met, there can be a psychological letdown, and there’s no doubt head coach Ryan Day knows this and has tried to keep the team in the right mindset by laying out goals beyond just beating That Team Up North this season. Ohio State has to refrain from taking a breather after beating Michigan and remember that there’s still a Big Ten championship — and more — still out there to win.

Come out there and play like it from the jump.

Make Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza uncomfortable

Mendoza is good — really good. When he has time to go through his progressions and pick out receivers, he is lethal and almost unstoppable, no matter how good the opposing secondary is, and Ohio State has one of the best in the country.

For that reason, I don’t know that the Buckeyes can sit back in this one and just rush four. Look for Matt Patricia to dial up blitz packages a little more than what we’ve seen this year, just to speed up the decision-making in Mendoza’s head and force him into trying to anticipate more and make completions through very small windows.

Get to Mendoza early, often, and keep bringing it.

Ohio State can’t turn the ball over

Indiana is awfully aggressive on defense. The Hoosiers will try to get tackles for loss and do a great job of forcing turnovers. Indiana is tops in the country at +17 in turnover margin, so it’s a big part of what it does. Ohio State is good, but not great, at +5, so simply getting a stalemate here might be good.

Indiana feasts on answers after turnovers with extra possessions, and the prospects of winning Saturday night for Ohio State become more difficult if it doesn’t take care of the ball and make Indiana value every single possession. It’s going to be a big storyline in this one, as it always seems to be for Indiana.

Buckeyes have to win the physical battle over the Hoosiers

Late last season, Indiana rolled into the ‘Shoe undefeated as a top-five team, feeling pretty confident about what it could do against Ohio State. Then it got beaten up front physically for sixty minutes and went home with its manhood questioned. It was a dominating 38-15 butt whoopin on the banks of the Olentangy. Something similar happened with the Hoosiers played against Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff.

If you ask head coach Curt Cignetti, he believes his team has addressed the physicality issue from last season with the roster, but we still saw signs of depth issues and muscle against Penn State and Iowa, two very physical defenses.

If Ohio State can win in the trenches as it did against Michigan and continue that momentum forward, it’ll take care of a lot of these other keys, like stopping the run and getting pressure on Mendoza. Win the physical battle and win the game.

Ohio State has to use its weapons

We think Ryan Day learned his lesson to utilize those weapons on the outside that are the best playmakers on the field every game they play. Ohio State has Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, Julian Sayin, and now we can add Bo Jackson Jr. into that mix. The Buckeyes have to unleash all of that and take advantage of the mismatches they all create.

Indiana has a top-five defense, but the secondary will give up some yards, and the passing game should thrive in this one if Ohio State can use its playmakers in a balanced and varied way.

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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State vs Indiana Big Ten Championship game: 6 keys to an OSU win

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