Ohio State @ Indiana Preview And Prediction

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No. 4 Ohio State travels to No. 5 Indiana for a massive Big Noon showdown. Can the Buckeyes avenge last year’s Big Ten Championship loss?

One of the biggest games of the college football season is set for Saturday afternoon as No. 4 Ohio State travels to Bloomington to take on No. 5 Indiana in FOX’s Big Noon Saturday showdown.

And there is plenty of bad blood between these two programs.

The last time these teams met, Indiana stunned Ohio State 13-10 in the 2025 Big Ten Championship Game, ending the Buckeyes’ undefeated season. Now, Ryan Day and Ohio State have an opportunity to return the favor against Curt Cignetti’s defending national champions.

Ohio State enters at 5-1, while Indiana remains undefeated at 6-0. Both teams are 3-0 in Big Ten play, making this matchup potentially decisive in the conference championship race.

Ohio State: Can Julian Sayin Deliver?

Ohio State’s offense has been explosive this season, averaging more than 42 points per game.

Quarterback Julian Sayin has thrown for approximately 1,772 yards, while superstar wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has been nearly unstoppable, recording 48 receptions for 916 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Smith is the most dangerous player in college football, and Indiana’s secondary will have its hands full trying to contain him.

However, last year’s championship game exposed some serious problems for Ohio State. Sayin threw for 258 yards, and Smith recorded eight catches for 144 yards, but the Buckeyes managed just 10 points. Sayin was also sacked five times.

Indiana’s defensive front remains dangerous, averaging 3.3 sacks and 8.2 tackles for loss per game this season.

Running back Bo Jackson, who has rushed for approximately 460 yards, must help establish balance and prevent Indiana from focusing entirely on Sayin.

Indiana: The Hoosiers Aren’t Going Anywhere

Indiana might have lost Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, but Curt Cignetti has kept the Hoosiers rolling.

TCU transfer Josh Hoover has thrown for more than 1,300 yards with 17 touchdowns and zero interceptions, while running back Turbo Richard has rushed for nearly 600 yards.

Wide receiver Charlie Becker has also been outstanding, recording 529 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Michigan State transfer Nick Marsh gives Indiana another dangerous weapon on the outside.

Defensively, Indiana is allowing approximately 12 points per game and has demonstrated an ability to create pressure without sacrificing coverage.

However, the Hoosiers haven’t exactly dominated their recent competition.

Indiana narrowly escaped Northwestern 29-23 before defeating Nebraska 20-17 last weekend. Those performances raise questions about whether the Hoosiers can consistently move the football against an elite opponent.

Prediction

Expect another physical, defensive battle between two legitimate College Football Playoff contenders.

Indiana’s defense will create problems for Sayin, and the Hoosiers should find success moving the football through Hoover and Richard.

However, Ohio State has something Indiana doesn’t: Jeremiah Smith.

I expect Smith to deliver a massive performance, surpassing 100 receiving yards and making the difference in a game that comes down to the final possession.

Sayin will make a few mistakes under pressure, but the Buckeyes’ defense will get enough stops to escape Bloomington with a huge victory.

Final Score: No. 4 Ohio State 24, No. 5 Indiana 20

Ohio State gets its revenge, hands Indiana its first loss of the season, and puts itself in an excellent position in the Big Ten championship race.

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