Games like this don't need much of an introduction. A game that was one of major college football's most dominant series has turned into one of its best rivalries. Teams from bordering states playing their third straight top 5 matchup. The last two national champions. Let's preview the game with some stats and historical facts.
Tale of the tape - Ohio State offense vs Indiana defense
2026 (national rank) | Ohio State | Indiana |
|---|---|---|
Points per game | 42.7 (7) | 11.8 (5) |
Yards per game | 503.5 (8) | 263.5 (12) |
Yards per play | 7.3 (6) | 4.3 (10) |
Rushing yards/attempt | 4.3 (81) | 2.3 (4) |
Passing yards/attempt | 11.2 (1) | 6.5 (47) |
Red zone efficiency | 70% (37) | 54.55% (51) |
Turnovers per game | 1.0 (44) | 0.7 (121) |
Tale of the tape - Indiana offense vs Ohio State defense
2026 (national rank) | Ohio State | Indiana |
|---|---|---|
Points per game | 13.2 (8) | 40.2 (14) |
Yards per game | 246.8 (5) | 462.7 (20) |
Yards per play | 4.0 (1) | 7.8 (3) |
Rushing yards/attempt | 3.2 (30) | 6.1 (5) |
Passing yards/attempt | 4.8 (1) | 10.6 (2) |
Red zone efficiency | 45.45% (16) | 75% (17) |
Turnovers per game | 1.3 (47) | 0.2 (1) |
Series history
This will be the 100th meeting all-time between Ohio State and Indiana. The Buckeyes lead the all-time series 81-13-5. Before Indiana's win in last year's Big Ten Championship game, the Buckeyes had 30 consecutive wins against the Hoosiers dating back to 1990.
Their last loss to IU prior to last season was in 1988. This is the 34th meeting in Bloomington, where the Buckeyes have a 30-2-1 record. The Buckeyes have won their last 14 games at Indiana dating back to a 1990 tie. Since the AP Poll began in 1936, this is the 6th meeting between these two teams as ranked teams, and the 3rd meeting where both are ranked inside the top 5.
The Buckeyes are 4-1 against the Hoosiers in ranked matchups, and 1-1 when both are in the top 5. Three of the six ranked matchups have occurred since 2020, while the two top-five matchups have taken place in the last two seasons.
The Buckeyes are seeking their sixth win of the season on Saturday, which would make them eligible for a bowl game. It would be the 27th consecutive season where the Buckeyes have won enough games to be eligible for a bowl game, and the 38th consecutive season where they have won at least 6 games. Indiana has already qualified for bowl eligibility for the 3rd straight season.
Ohio State is looking to improve to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in conference play. It would be the 15th consecutive season where OSU has started 6-1 or better. They have started 4-0 in conference play every year except for one since 2017. Indiana is looking to start the season 7-0 and 4-0 in conference play. It would be their third consecutive season accomplishing those feats.
This is the third matchup between Ryan Day and Curt Cignetti. They split the first two. This is their first matchup in Bloomington.
The biggest games
Ohio State is 9-11 against top-5 teams in the regular season dating back to 2002. They are 2-6 on the road in those games. Against top 5 Big Ten teams over that time period, they are 8-7, and 1-4 on the road. Over that same time period, Indiana is 2-21 against top 5 teams in the regular season. The two wins have come in their last two matchups.
Since 2012, Ohio State is 23-8 in games where they are favored by less than one score. Indiana is 4-12 as a home underdog of less than one score.
Since Ryan Day took over at Ohio State in 2019, the Buckeyes are 29-4 on the road. They are 8-4 against ranked teams on the road. Indiana is 30-14 at Memorial Stadium over that time period; 3-8 against ranked opponents. They have not lost at home since Curt Cignetti took over in 2024, but they have just one home win against a ranked opponent, which was No. 9 Illinois last season.
Revenge
Since 2012, Ohio State is 17-7 against teams that it lost to in their previous matchup. Over that same time period, Indiana is 42-18 against teams it had beaten in their previous matchup.
Ohio State is 130-30-7 all-time against current FBS teams from the state of Indiana. The Hoosiers are 35-89-7 all-time against current FBS teams from the state of Ohio.
Ohio State and Indiana are both looking to clinch a winning October. For the Buckeyes, it would clinch their 65th consecutive winning month in which they played at least 3 games, dating back to October of 2004. Indiana is looking for its 8th consecutive winning month.
Saturday's game will be broadcast on FOX Big Noon Kickoff. Ohio State is playing in that time slot for the 33rd time. The Buckeyes are 28-4 when playing on Big Noon. Ohio State has a seven-game win streak on Big Noon, dating back to a 2024 loss to Michigan.
Indiana is playing in that time slot for the 12th time. They are 5-6 in those games. They have won their last four games on Big Noon dating back to a 2024 loss at Ohio State. The Buckeyes are 4-0 against Indiana on Big Noon Kickoff.
Odds, similar games, and prediction
Ohio State is a 3.5-point favorite on Saturday per DraftKings. Here are some similar games where Ohio State was a close road favorite against a Big Ten opponent. In 2024, the Buckeyes won 20-13 at Penn State as a 3-point favorite. That same year, they lost 32-31 at Oregon as a 3.5-point favorite. In 2018, the Buckeyes won 27-26 at Penn State as a 3.5-point favorite.
I think the wrong team is favored here. Indiana is the defending national champions. They have not lost a home game under Curt Cignetti. They have the third-longest win streak for a Big Ten team in over 50 years at 22 consecutive games. Ohio State lost their first big game of the season.
Indiana is the only team in the country to be top 5 in both rushing and passing offense. Their defensive line ate Ohio State's offensive line alive in Indianapolis last season, and I fear that they might do it again, particularly if Austin Siereveld can't play. Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith will put up some numbers, but I think Indiana wins this game 27-21, putting Ohio State's back squarely against the wall as they attempt to get back to the playoff.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change
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