Former Ohio State quarterback Kirk Herbstreit has predicted that the Indiana Hoosiers will win the Big Ten and win a College Football Playoff semifinal over Ohio State.
The reason he gave IU the nod? He told former Ohio State teammate Joey Galloway on the "Nonstop" podcast Aug. 24 that OSU's defense lost too many star players to the NFL draft.
"Even though [defensive coordinator] Matt Patricia is awesome, they're going to have some growing pains," said Herbstreit. "I feel like the first few weeks without having Sonny Styles and [Arvell] Reese, and especially Caleb Downs, who just made them right, and so, that's just natural."
Herbstreit acknowledged that the Buckeyes will be able to replace some of their losses on defense with talented and capable
recruits, but he still believes Indiana's talent pool may have a slight edge.
"I think Indiana wins the Big Ten, and I think it has a lot to do with getting Ohio State at home," Herbstreit said. "I don't think there's going to be a significant dropoff from this team. ... Ohio State may be more talented, especially with the offensive skill, but I think Indiana has as much talent as they had a year ago ... and they got the schedule advantage."
Whereas Ohio State plays Texas on the road as part of their nonconference schedule, along with league games against Oregon and Indiana, the Hoosiers avoid Oregon on their 2026 schedule and have an easier nonconference slate. Indiana also gets to host the Buckeyes instead of playing them at Ohio Stadium.
Indiana opens with home games against North Texas, Howard and Western Kentucky, so while the Buckeyes are facing the Longhorns in a high-profile Week 2 matchup, Indiana will be hosting Howard, a program in the FCS Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
Herbstreit also maintained that Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti may have the "best tandem of coordinators in the country," with offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan and defensive coordinator Bryant Haines.
Our NATIONAL CHAMPION predictions… 🏆👀
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) August 25, 2026
Who you got winning it all?#nonstop pic.twitter.com/00HQa90kNO
Herbstreit complimented TCU transfer quarterback Josh Hoover. When it comes to Hoover's high turnover count with the Horned Frogs (13 interceptions), Herbstreit said he believes Hoover will not be forced into a position in which he risks making as many turnovers with Indiana.
Despite predicting a win over Ohio State in the playoffs, Herbstreit thinks Indiana will lose to Notre Dame during an in-state national championship showdown.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Kirk Herbstreit believes Indiana will win Big Ten over Ohio State
