Ohio State, fresh off a rout of Maryland, travels to Indiana for a key Big Ten game at noon Oct. 17.
Here are our predictions for the game:
Ohio State vs. Indiana predictions
Joey Kaufman, Columbus Dispatch: Indiana 28, Ohio State 27: Neither of these Big Ten heavyweights look as formidable as they did a year ago when they met in the conference title game. The Hoosiers no longer have the Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback. The Buckeyes are managing the void of NFL departures on defense. But the rematch will again hinge on whether the Buckeyes can protect quarterback Julian Sayin, who was sacked five times by Indiana in December, derailing a series of drives. Indiana maintains one of the nation's top pass rushes and is creative with its movement up front, while Ohio State is sorting
through injuries and illness on the offensive line. Maybe they’re on the mend, but it points to an uneven matchup at the line of scrimmage that gives the Hoosiers a slight edge in Bloomington, even if the Buckeyes boast the best player in college football.
Rob Oller, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 27, Indiana 17: Considering I predicted two regular-season losses for the Buckeyes, this would be a natural game to have OSU taking a loss, but while it should be a tough Memorial Stadium environment (for a change), I just don't see the Hoosiers doing enough to stun the Buckeyes for a second consecutive season. Indiana coach Curt Cignetti may well be a magician, but IU won't pull a win out of its hat. Ohio State's defensive line, a weak point to begin the season, is rounding into form at just the right time, and the Buckeyes' run game will do just enough to keep IU honest, allowing the Julian Sayin-Jeremiah Smith connection to keep going strong.
Brianna Mac Kay, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 28, Indiana 20: Ohio State has scored at least 23 points in every game this season, even in its Week 2 loss to Texas. While Indiana proved it could limit the Buckeyes’ offense to 10 points in last season's Big Ten Championship game, the Hoosiers have struggled to shut down Big Ten opponents this year, conceding 23 touchdowns to Northwestern and 17 to Nebraska. If the offense is productive through all four quarters, Ohio State could record its first top-5 win of the season in Bloomington.
Dan Aulbach, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 28, Indiana 27: Indiana might have looked weaker when sneaking past Northwestern and Nebraska in close games, but the Hoosiers are still formidable. They have an experienced quarterback in TCU transfer Josh Hoover and returned four offensive lineman starters from the national championship team. They have capable weapons, including Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh, two wide receivers that will likely be first or second round selections next year. Ohio State's defense will be tested, but ultimately Jeremiah Smith will come up big and power the Buckeyes to an offense-heavy victory.
Bold predictions
Ohio State ends Josh Hoover's interception-less streak
Joey Kaufman: Only two quarterbacks threw more interceptions than Josh Hoover in 2025. But since he arrived at Indiana this year, the TCU transfer has been careful with the ball, throwing 17 touchdowns without being picked off. The six games make for twice as long a stretch as he went as the Horned Frogs’ starting quarterback without an interception. But Ohio State’s defense won’t let him finish his seventh game mistake free. Look for the Buckeyes to intercept a pass as they did in previous road games at Texas and Iowa.
Connor Hawkins will make a field goal beyond 49 yards
Rob Oller: It's been a while since an Ohio State kicker made a 50-yard field goal − Blake Haubeil boomed a 55-yarder against Northwestern in 2019 − and Connor Hawkins ends that drought with a 50-plus kick against the Hoosiers. Of course, that means OSU's offense went without a touchdown, but at least Hawkins leaves with positive vibes after converting a long one.
Julian Sayin throws for more than 300 yards
Brianna Mac Kay: The last time Julian Sayin faced Indiana, he threw for just 258 yards, one touchdown and an interception. While Indiana has yet to allow 300 passing yards this season, Sayin averages over 60 more passing yards than any of the Big Ten quarterbacks Indiana has faced this season, with 295.3 per game. If Sayin can improve on his Big Ten Championship performance in his second game against Indiana, he could throw above his season average and hit the 300-yard mark.
Ohio State gets a punt return touchdown
Dan Aulbach: Ohio State had its best punt return of the season against Maryland with wide receiver Phillip Bell going 31 yards. In a high-stakes environment, Ohio State will get a clutch play from special teams that helps them stay even with the Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Our Ohio State football experts have differing predictions for the Indiana game
