There's a game that's been circled on the Big Ten calendar since the offseason, and it's almost here. The Indiana Hoosiers took down the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten Championship game last year in a classic, then went on to win the College Football Playoff national championship.
Now, it's time for the rematch, and it takes place in Bloomington, where the Buckeyes will have to try to get things done in hostile territory. The winner will be the favorite to win the Big Ten, while the loser will have some work to do. It should be a close one, and Vegas agrees, with Ohio State listed as a very modest favorite.
Before each Ohio State football game, we like to ask our writers to go out on a limb and predict the outcome of the game, and with such
a huge one on the doorstep, opinions vary on this one.
Here is what our writers at Buckeyes Wire predict will happen between Ohio State and Indiana on Saturday.
Ohio State vs. Indiana, according to Phil Harrison, Lead Writer/Editor
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One game can be an exception, but two is a pattern. This isn't the same Indiana team we saw last year. We watched the Hoosiers struggle against Northwestern and Nebraska, the only teams with a pulse Curt Cignetti's crew has played. The offense hasn't been as dynamic, and the defense isn't creating the negative plays at the rate it did last season. The Buckeyes will not run all over Indiana on the ground, but they will have plenty of success through the air, just enough to pull out a huge victory.
Score Prediction: Ohio State 27, Indiana 24
Ohio State vs. Indiana, according to Mark Russell, Featured Writer
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Ohio State gets a shot at redemption when it goes to Indiana for a rematch of the Big Ten Championship from a year ago. But these are two different teams. The Buckeyes are facing some injury issues, the most concerning of which is offensive lineman Austin Sierveld. Ohio State has struggled a bit to protect quarterback Julian Sayin, while the Hoosiers' pass rush is the best in the Big Ten. But if the line can keep Sayin clean, he should have time to carve up a suspect Indiana secondary. It'll be a tough environment, but the Buckeyes get a score late to seal the victory.
Score Prediction: Ohio State 27, Indiana 17
Ohio State vs. Indiana, according to Alec Lasley, Featured Writer
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I fully anticipate OSU will try to get out of the gates hot, something Indiana has dealt with on its own at times this season: slow starts. If Ohio State can't get going early, it's going to put a lot of pressure on the Sayin-Smith connection, and that's when IU's defense will excel. It's going to be a close one, but I think Indiana playing at home and having the come-from-behind experience of last week under its belt will be a huge positive variable. Hoosiers start strong, finish stronger, and limit some of the explosive plays the Buckeyes typically get.
Score Prediction: Indiana 24, Ohio State 17
Ohio State vs. Iowa prediction summary
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— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 16, 2026
Phil Harrison | Ohio State 27, Indiana 24
Mark Russell | Ohio State 327, Indiana 17
Alec Lasley | Indiana 24, Ohio State 17
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State vs. Indiana predictions from our Buckeyes Wire writers
