BIG TEN NOTEBOOK Nation’s last two undefeated teams battle in historic conference championship matchup

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With little College Football Playoff drama surrounding the Big Ten Conference heading into conference championship week, all attention is pointed toward the historic meeting between No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Indiana at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Saturday.

For the most part, playoff seeding is known. Coming off its win over rival Michigan, Ohio State has solidified its spot in the field and is most likely looking at a first-round bye. Indiana, which blew past Purdue in its rivalry week game, is looking at solid seating in the playoff field as well.

Fifth-ranked Oregon, which is left idle after an 11-1 regular season, could jump into a first-round bye position, but at the very least, the Ducks will host a playoff game if they don’t move up any higher.

As one week remains before the playoff field is known, the Big Ten is going all-in on naming a historically successful champion. Here is what to watch for in the conference.

The matchup

No. 1 Ohio State (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) vs. No. 2 Indiana (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten), 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT, FOX

Since Michigan State and Wisconsin met in the first Big Ten football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in 2011, never have both title game participants been undefeated or ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the country.

On Saturday, Ohio State (12-0) and Indiana (12-0) look to shrink the nation’s last undefeated teams from two to one, crowning a worthy conference champion in the process.

It would be the Buckeyes' sixth title game win and first since 2020. The Hoosiers, however, have never been to the 14-year-old event. The last time Indiana was a Big Ten football champion was 1967, but the last time they won it outright was a distant 80 years ago in 1945.

Ohio State (7.8 points allowed per game) and Indiana (10.9 points allowed) boast the top two defenses in the country. The Hoosiers, however, have punished bad teams worse. Indiana is second in points per game, scoring over 44 points a contest to Ohio State’s 37 ppg mark.

Defensively, Indiana thrives on turnovers. Defensive back Louis Moore is third in the country with five interceptions this year. Teammate Amare Ferrell is right behind him with four.

Who wants to play Heisman?

Julian Sayin, quarterback, Ohio State: A first-year starter for Ryan Day, Sayin is not the only reason why the Buckeyes look like a national title contender. The Buckeyes have an elite defense, but Sayin has elite receivers in Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate to throw the ball to. He still has to get it there, and he has, with a top-ranked 78.9% completion percentage. He’s also thrown for 30 touchdowns and is 13th in passing yards with more than 3,000.

Fernando Mendoza, quarterback, Indiana: Transferring in to play for Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers have benefited from an experienced and confident signal caller in Mendoza. The strong-armed QB averages more than 13 yards a pass and has thrown for more than 2,700 yards and 32 touchdowns. With Mendoza, the thought of a Hoosier national championship is no longer a daydream; it’s a very possible reality.

Ducking déjà vu

In the first year of the 12-team playoff, Oregon was an obvious lock for the top overall seed. The Ducks were 13-0 and Big Ten champions, not to mention the holder of an elite offensive unit.

But as did the rest of the playoff field, the Ducks soon met their demise against Ohio State. While Oregon enjoyed a first-round bye, the Buckeyes carved up ninth-seeded Tennessee in the opening round. Then at the Rose Bowl, Ohio State jumped out to an early lead and took out the undefeated Ducks.

Currently ranked No. 5 and holding an 11-1 record, Oregon is a playoff lock again, though it won’t be the top seed. Whether it gets a week off, or a first-round game in Eugene, Oregon, is still to be determined. If either No. 3 Georgia or No. 4 Texas Tech were to fall in the SEC or Big 12 champ game, would the Ducks leapfrog and secure the Big Ten three of the four first-round byes?

Of course, one of either Indiana or Ohio State will tack on a loss, but with the Hoosiers' win at Oregon, one would assume the committee would respect the head-to-head and keep Indiana in front if it were to lose.

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