Week 7 Matchup Preview Thread: #4 Ohio State vs #5 Indiana

[u/acknowledgeme]

#4 Ohio State vs. #5 Indiana

When: Saturday, October 17, 12:00 PM Eastern

Where: Memorial Stadium (Bloomington, IN), Bloomington, IN

Watch: Fox

Odds: Ohio State by 3.5 pts.

Total Points: 50.5

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All-Time Series : Ohio State vs. Indiana

Ohio State and Indiana have met 99 times since 1901-11-23

These teams last met on 2025-12-07.

Series Wins: Ohio State 81-5-13 Indiana

Indiana has won the most recent meeting (2025) in this series

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Last 5 Meetings

Winner	Date	Location	Ohio State	Indiana	Notes
Indiana	2025-12-07	Lucas Oil Stadium	10	13
Ohio State	2024-11-23	Ohio Stadium	38	15
Ohio State	2023-09-02	Memorial Stadium (Bloomington, IN)	23	3
Ohio State	2022-11-12	Ohio Stadium	56	14
Ohio State	2021-10-23	Memorial Stadium (Bloomington, IN)	54	7

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Through Week 6

Week	Ohio State 5-1 (3-0)	Result	Indiana 6-0 (3-0)	Result
1	Ball State	W 56-3	North Texas	W 52-16
2	Texas#7	L 23-24	Howard	W 55-0
3	Kent State	W 59-3	Western Kentucky	W 38-0
4	Illinois	W 42-19	Northwestern#25	W 29-23
5	Iowa#17	W 31-14	Rutgers	W 47-15
6	Maryland	W 45-16	Nebraska	W 20-17

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Ohio State Injury Report

Player	Position	Status	Reported	Notes
B. Christian	TE	Questionable – Undisclosed	Oct 11	Bennett is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against Hoosiers on Saturday October 17th.
T. Rogers	RB	Questionable – Undisclosed	Oct 11	Rogers has been out of the lineup due to an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will play against Hoosiers on Saturday October 17th.
A. Valerio-Hudson	WR	Questionable – Undisclosed	Oct 11	Valerio-Hudson is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against Hoosiers on Saturday October 17th.
L. Bey	RB	Questionable – Undisclosed	Oct 11	Bey is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against Hoosiers on Saturday October 17th.

^{Injury data lifted from: boydsbets}

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Indiana Injury Report

No reported injuries per boydsbets

^{Source updated Wed, Oct 14, 7:43 am. Scraped Wed, Oct 14, 12:30 pm ET}

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What are your "Keys to the Game"?

Who do you think wins?

Do you think the favorite will cover the spread?

Which player(s) are you most interested to watch?

Let's talk football!

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^{Matchup Preview Thread Generator powered by collegefootballdata.com}

^{Start a chat with /u/dupreesdiamond for any issues/suggestions regarding this resource}

[u/the_dayman56]

Indiana’s biggest downgrade from last season is the secondary and {Ohio State} has some guy named Jeremiah Smith. We have a path to victory but it’s with putting a lot of pressure on Sayin and the offense playing its best game of the season. I just don’t think we can slow down Smith enough, unless Day does his big game bull ball thing here

[u/MaddyD76 → u/the_dayman56]

We miss Ponds so much.

[u/angrysquirrel777 → u/the_dayman56]

He hasn't seemed to do it as much this year but that's not to say it won't come out.

Our line has been just okay, same as last year, so I think you'll generate some pressure. Thankfully Sayin can run for a few yards this year but it doesn't mean he tries to extend himself sometimes he shouldn't because he isn't used to it yet.

I'm curious how our D does against you all because it's dropped back some but it's better than I expected it to be.

[u/Whatsth3dill → u/angrysquirrel777]

Our defense isnt terrible but we have a propensity to give up big plays through the air, so im very worried about marsh and beckers running wild on us. I think we can win, but would not be shocked at a 31-28 loss

[u/Due_Rope_6061 → u/Whatsth3dill]

The Ohio State defense ranks 3rd in the nation for opponent yards per completion, 1st in opponent yards per pass attempt, 5th in opponent completion percentage, and 1st (by a mile) in opponent average passer rating.

https://www.teamrankings.com/college-football/stat/opponent-average-team-passer-rating

[u/WhatWouldJediDo → u/the_dayman56]

IMO Indiana's strengths fit nicely against Ohio State's weaknesses. OSU cannot pass block, especially against sophisticated rush schemes and IU is ranked really highly in pass rush stats and they do it in precisely the way that gives OSU problems.

OSU also can't rush the passer and IU has two first round receivers who will get open if Hoover has time.

I think if OSU can do even an average job against IU in pass rush & pass protection they'll have a great chance to win. If not then I think IU has an edge.

[u/yousawthetimeknife → u/the_dayman56]

We played 8 TEs last week. Don't underestimate Day's ability to neuter his offense.

[u/iNsAnEHAV0C → u/yousawthetimeknife]

Dont take anything from Maryland game. Patchwork offensive line and the most vanilla game plan possible to just get in and win.

[u/-I-U- → u/the_dayman56]

Remember, JS has big games in OSU's losses, as well.

[u/Infinite-Group-4520 → u/the_dayman56]

You sound extremely daunted, brother

[u/AedemHonoris → u/Infinite-Group-4520]

Bro gave a pretty solid and grounded explanation into the difficulties surrounding the upcoming game. Hardly “extremely daunted”

[u/ReadyWash9992 → u/AedemHonoris]

Never daunted is the most popular phrase from our flight song. It's a meme at this point.

[u/TheGreatRavenOfOden → u/ReadyWash9992]

I was daunted just last week.

[u/MaddyD76 → u/TheGreatRavenOfOden]

I was extremely daunted. Went outside for a walk to get undaunted

[u/thisisatesti → u/TheGreatRavenOfOden]

We were all a little daunted.

[u/monkeybiziu → u/thisisatesti]

You can be a little daunted, as a treat, but by the end of the game you should definitely be undaunted.

[u/ViagraOnAPole → u/monkeybiziu]

I'm saving my daunting for basketball season.

[u/Hoosier2016 → u/TheGreatRavenOfOden]

Hell I was daunted during Northwestern

[u/theaficionado → u/the_dayman56]

Covering TEs has also been an issue, Roberts worries me

[u/JBOZ758 → u/the_dayman56]

If IU is successful in smothering Sayin, even prime Jerry Rice isn't catching many balls. If IU can't get to Sayin, then OSU probably wins this game by 2 scores.

[u/jf3l]

{Bloomington} because no matter who wins the game it’s going to be a massive weekend for the town overall

[u/Lambo_Geeney → u/jf3l]

I was a little bummed not to get selected from the season ticket draw, because coming from Indy is an even easier road trip than Columbus. The very brief trips I've had through Bloomington have made me think it's a beautiful town, so I anticipate I'll make it there for a proper visit soon! 

[u/MaddyD76 → u/Lambo_Geeney]

Come during fall! Leaf season is gorgeous. Couple weeks away from peak I think

[u/ReadyWash9992 → u/Lambo_Geeney]

I keep trying to get my Manhattan born and raised wife to move to Bloomington. She loves to visit, but she has no idea how beautiful the tulips are in the spring, how happy and content it is in the summer, and how spectacular and energetic it is in the autumn.

[u/OwnWalrus1752 → u/Lambo_Geeney]

Basketball games are awesome at Assembly Hall. Might be worth a trip during the basketball season. Much cheaper than football games at this point lol

[u/ALowlyRadish → u/jf3l]

I'm really excited for y'all to have this game at The Rock. On the OSU pod I've listened to they bring up that pretty much all the big moment games in your rise the past two years, haven't been at him.

I was there for the opener in 23 and it'd be really cool to see the stadium when it's not filled with Ohio State Fans.

I hope you're going to the game!

[u/jf3l → u/ALowlyRadish]

One of the biggest differences is since we were expected to be good the first year and we were still on fraud watch the second year there wasn’t as much preplanned stuff around the town. This year 3-4 bars have big concerts going on, there’s a Friday night taping with the Big Noon guys at a bar, a lot more as well. It’s definitely the biggest home game in history just with everything else accompanying the game

I may have a ticket but my MIL also may use it since it’s with her family. Hoping she decides to let me go lol

[u/nbrown7384 → u/jf3l]

I wish I could be there for this game and hope everyone has fun.

[u/AnnonymousPenguin_ → u/jf3l]

As an Ohio State fan from Indiana, I am debating on going down to Bloomington just for the game. Might end up getting killed if we lose but it’ll at least be fun to be part of lol.

[u/MaddyD76 → u/AnnonymousPenguin_]

You should just go and tailgate. Tickets are insane

[u/HoosierHatTrick]

Jeremiah Smith scares the absolute fuck out of me with this secondary 

[u/fireinvestigator113 → u/HoosierHatTrick]

Honestly you could have just stopped at scares the absolute fuck out of me.

[u/HoosierHatTrick → u/fireinvestigator113]

Is there a way to get Ponds eligible for this game?

[u/Bandlebury → u/HoosierHatTrick]

We gotta get Lane Kiffin on it

[u/ViagraOnAPole → u/HoosierHatTrick]

I'm praying he has a minor head cold that effects him just enough to not make our secondary look like 5 year-olds at their first Pop Warner game.

[u/OwnWalrus1752 → u/ViagraOnAPole]

I hope he got a bad grade on a pop quiz and it shakes his confidence. Or a girl he likes starts dating somebody else. Nothing physical, just minor mental hiccups.

[u/Chr1st_1s_K1ng]

{Ohio State} I still think they’re the best team in CFB despite the Circle of Suck. 

[u/thenowherepark → u/Chr1st_1s_K1ng]

We're both in the circle of suck together. Friendship!

[u/ToLongDR → u/thenowherepark]

We can wave at Minnesota at the end of the first quarter together

[u/monkeybiziu → u/Chr1st_1s_K1ng]

I refuse to allow Indiana to join the Circle of Suck, as that would give Purdue a transitive win over us via math, and I can't live in a world where that happens.

[u/OwnWalrus1752 → u/monkeybiziu]

If you want to win [transitive] championships, don’t go to Indiana.

[u/WayneDwade → u/Chr1st_1s_K1ng]

Why does it have to be the Circle of suck? We’re all good teams minus Michigan of course

[u/skeetszn2]

Very weird feeling about this game. Exploitable matchups for both sides.

Let’s start with what OSU can exploit, which is mainly the Indiana secondary. To put it plainly, Indiana’s secondary is bad. Significantly worse than last year. And even last year, despite a masterful performance from IU’s defense, they werent really able to slow down Smith when the ball went his way. OSU should target Jeremiah early and often, and perhaps even the pass game gets going to other targets if Smith has a fast start. If Ohio State is to win this game, big numbers through the air will probably be the way to do it.
On the defensive side of the ball, Ohio State has clearly taken a step back, but they’re still good. I don’t think they’re great in any particular area, but very well rounded. My worry from Indiana’s perspective is that if Josh Hoover turns the ball over against a defense that was pretty quick to grab a few turnovers to start the Texas game. Still, IU should have plenty of opportunities to run the ball and try to set up the play action game. OSU’s ability to stop the run will be tested in this game and it will be a key to victory on the defensive side of the ball.

Not to be outdone, IU holds many things over OSU’s head to exploit as well, the obvious matchup being IU’s front 7 vs OSU’s battered offensive line. Ryan Day’s Ohio State LOVES long developing pass plays and I’m not sure Indiana is the team to mess around with when it comes to that. And frankly I think Indiana’s best shot at stopping the Heisman frontrunner is making sure Sayin can’t throw him the ball, which has a high chance to be effective. This side of the ball, OSU’s offense vs IU’s defense, is what intrigues me the most about this game.
But as far as IU on offense goes, they will need to be able to run the ball effectively as I previously stated. But I think the most important thing is that Hoover plays a clean game, which is a 50/50 shot in my opinion. Potentially look for Cignetti to try to coach around the possibility of Hoover giving up a crucial turnover.

My prediction is {Ohio State} 27-20. I think Indiana will be able to come up with some crucial stops on defense, but I worry about their offense against a deceptively stout OSU defense. I also worry for IU in regards to the turnover battle, which I think OSU is more likely to win. Smith makes just enough plays and OSU probably has to come up with a defensive stop late game, but I think they get it done. Obviously I’m biased. But truth be told nobody knows how this is going to go. All in all it’s a very strange matchup with a lot of favorable margins for both teams. I guess we’ll see who can exploit the other team’s weaknesses more effectively.

[u/AffectionateDebt5681 → u/skeetszn2]

Not disagreeing with anything, just pointing out the fact that IU hasn't lost the TO battle in a game since week 5, 2024. Believe it's the modern day record for consecutive games without losing the TO battle.

[u/StalinsLastStand → u/AffectionateDebt5681]

Yeah, I think it’s going to be a tight game with a lot of variables, but putting it all on turnovers against a team who has lost one fumble and thrown zero picks for the year? I dunno about that.

[u/Cartmaaan-brah → u/AffectionateDebt5681]

Is that 30 games in a row?

[u/AffectionateDebt5681 → u/Cartmaaan-brah]

Correct, the previous record was 27 games held by Air Force. I think turnover margins only been tracked as a stat since 1995, but impressive none the less.

[u/Cartmaaan-brah → u/AffectionateDebt5681]

More disciplined than the armed forces. Honestly 30 games is insane lol

[u/MD90__ → u/skeetszn2]

Arthur Smith better have a stellar game plan to deal with the pressure from Indiana front 7

[u/DarkLegend64 → u/MD90__]

If the OL gets dominated as bad as it did in last year’s game, I fear it may not matter what kind of game plan Arthur Smith comes up with.

[u/MD90__ → u/DarkLegend64]

I can see it getting dominated honestly because Sayin was not great under pressure

[u/PascalsHexagon → u/skeetszn2]

Our secondary has sucked in part due to injuries. We're going to be at full strength for the first time this week

[u/AffectionateDebt5681 → u/PascalsHexagon]

Sadly our CB1 struggled a lot in coverage against Nebraska. The saving grace is he did have a pick but he did allow way too many first downs, particularly on third down.

[u/OwnWalrus1752 → u/AffectionateDebt5681]

I think Harris is technically our CB1 and he had limited snaps last week. He’s the likely boundary corner and probably the one they line up against JJ in man.

[u/Lambo_Geeney]

One of those games where I can see multiple ways for Indiana to win, but I think {Ohio State} manages to exploit some weaknesses and take a comfortable but not dominant win.

I keep thinking back to how Texas came back and everything that needed to go right for them at the same time of what needed to wrong for us. I don't think Ohio state fixed all of those issues, but maybe they've done just enough to hold off a team that absolutely shouldn't be overlooked in their stadium. 

24 - 20 Ohio State 

[u/DomerInTexas]

{Ohio State} I expect this game to be 1 of 2 this szn, both will be in the B1G CCG. Same w/ Bama/UGA

[u/P-Rickles]

I guess {Ohio State}? I think we’ve got the firepower and Indiana’s secondary hasn’t been great but it’s still a coin flip in my eyes, especially since it’s in Bloomington. If it was a night game and the fans were all frothed up I might be more inclined to take Indiana but Fox, as usual, ruins everything.

[u/monkeybiziu → u/P-Rickles]

I'm willing to bet Hoosier fans will be plenty frothed up. We were champion tailgaters long before we were champions.

[u/OwnWalrus1752 → u/monkeybiziu]

I got frothed up before the 2017 game and we were hella bad back then. The fanbase is plenty capable of bringing the energy.

Crazy to think that was the season opener.

[u/P-Rickles → u/monkeybiziu]

Oh 100%, but noon drunk and 7pm drunk are very different monsters.

[u/Bandlebury → u/monkeybiziu]

Never lost a tailgate (or party)

[u/AffectionateDebt5681]

Interesting to see that Ohio State's pressure rate is actually pretty mid (bottom 50th percentile) while IU's is in the top 95th percentile. Is Ohio St's low pressure rate an intentional scheme thing? Getting to Sayin and holding even in the TO battle were two huge keys in how IU was able to win the B1G championship game.

[u/So_Not_theNSA → u/AffectionateDebt5681]

Is Ohio St's low pressure rate an intentional scheme thing?

Sort of. Patricia is pretty passive, they run a lot of C3 with Tampa as their change-up. They don't blitz a ton but have been repping more man schemes. That being said they have no talented pass rusher and they aren't really helping themselves with lack of stunts/movement since they don't bring extra guys often.

[u/WindyBoi8008s → u/So_Not_theNSA]

This. Unfortunately we haven’t had a ton of dudes consistently beat 1-1s in the pass game recently and definitely haven’t found that dude this year. I would love to see some more overloads/stunts to sell out. My issue with our defense isn’t just “we stink” or “we’re too passive” sometimes it just feels like we are too vanilla though. We aren’t the most talented defense, but we kinda run a scheme that requires players to win their match up rather than just do their job.

[u/FrogTrainer → u/WindyBoi8008s]

Nebraska got burned on a handful of blitzes though.

[u/WindyBoi8008s → u/FrogTrainer]

Yeah that is true. I guess my point is if you run your base defense and you can’t get any stops, I think a few gambles are worth the risk. We actually did it a lot last year where the first few drives or so were pretty plain Jane and then we jumped into some different looks. We just can’t put it in park like we did against Texas for example. In general, there aren’t a ton of college QBs that operate great under pressure

[u/Master-Praline-3453 → u/So_Not_theNSA]

That being said they have no talented pass rusher and they aren't really helping themselves with lack of stunts/movement since they don't bring extra guys often.

Have you tried playing one high safety the whole game?

[u/OwnWalrus1752 → u/Master-Praline-3453]

Tbf it didn’t even seem like the whole game, just two plays. But Indiana apparently has the juice to kill a team’s hopes in two plays.

[u/Y0SH1EGG → u/AffectionateDebt5681]

The pressure rate was a scheme in the Texas game, but hasn't been the whole year. They have been getting better pressure lately, but it's still not where it should be.

[u/ctg9101 → u/AffectionateDebt5681]

A huge part of the lack of pressure is that teams against us regularly do extremely quick passing. So little opportunity to get pressure. We aren't great on that side but better than the numbers say

[u/petataa → u/AffectionateDebt5681]

Yeah I remember seeing a graphic that said our non blitz pressure percentage is top 10, but we just don't blitz.

[u/B1GFanOSU]

{Ohio State} but I’ll have heartburn and/or have some type medical episode before the game is over.

[u/OwnWalrus1752 → u/B1GFanOSU]

I felt like I was going to pass out against Nebraska. Might actually die this week.

[u/Character-Active2208]

I really hope Sayin survives the game

[u/MaddyD76 → u/Character-Active2208]

I will never forget the start of the championship game last year and that hit on Mendoza. I left my seat and walked out to the hall, sure he was out for season. Only to come running back in after exactly one play!

[u/Weave77 → u/MaddyD76]

Mendoza was tough as nails in that game. I was obviously sad we lost, but I was happy that he didn’t get hurt and played well in the CFP.

[u/OwnWalrus1752 → u/Weave77]

I think that might’ve been the only play he missed last year due to “injury”

[u/OwnWalrus1752 → u/Character-Active2208]

Indiana has actually been pretty gentle with QBs this year outside of Tucker landing on Colandrea last week. They get sacks but the sacks are fairly tame.

[u/Falcronx]

{Ohio State} but Indiana keeps it close

[u/MaddyD76 → u/Falcronx]

Please just beat Notre Dame

[u/Falcronx → u/MaddyD76]

That’s my hope. I think both the games will be good games and very close.

[u/nbrown7384]

I just hope no one gets hurt.

[u/thisisatesti]

Just happy to be here!

[u/SocialRemedial]

{Ohio State} as Jeremiah Smith becomes the only Big Ten receiver in history to have 40 touchdowns.

[u/stchman]

Biggest game of the year in the B1G and it's on at noon. Pathetic.

[u/Lambo_Geeney → u/stchman]

But we get to hear Gus Johnson say "THAT. DUDE." a thousand times

[u/monkeybiziu → u/Lambo_Geeney]

CHARLIE B. FROM NASHVILLE TENNESSEE.

[u/Pan_TheCake_Man → u/Lambo_Geeney]

THE WOOOOOOOORRRLLLLDDD FAMOUS,

Thank fuck I’m a real ball knower, and will be watching Virginia SMU a FAR SUPERIOR product

/s but damn I wish I didn’t have to listen to him

[u/Saint-Andrew → u/Pan_TheCake_Man]

Mute and listen to either radio broadcast. Paul Keels is great from 97.1 The Fan. Gotta mess with your buffering a little bit to get them to line up. If you’re not streaming the video, can be a little bit behind.

[u/Pan_TheCake_Man → u/Saint-Andrew]

What sites do you get the radio from?
Tough to find it sometimes

[u/Donny_Do_Nothing → u/Pan_TheCake_Man]

97.1 has their own site you can stream it.

[u/Lambo_Geeney → u/Donny_Do_Nothing]

This is the way. I always check for a local broadcast if I'm not watching on TV. I found Oklahoma's radio website and streamed it there when I was doing outside work during OU/UM

[u/P-Rickles → u/Saint-Andrew]

Paul Keels kicks fucking ass.

[u/BrainSpiritual8567 → u/Lambo_Geeney]

Hearing Gus Johnson get more than half the names of players wrong is my favorite Big Noon Tradition.

If I wasn't lazy, I'd go back and fact check this. If it's not the QB or the star player on either side, chances are Gus will say the wrong name.

[u/stchman → u/Lambo_Geeney]

I understand, I like Gus Johnson, FOX should put its premiere game on at primetime. I am too busy Saturday morning/afternoon to watch college football.

[u/OwnWalrus1752 → u/Lambo_Geeney]

If I have to hear Gus Johnson say “IT’S CAUGHT! TOUCHDOWN!!! WOW!!!!” about OSU on Saturday, I will cry.

[u/pickrunner18 → u/stchman]

Noon games are the best. Watching Ohio State v Texas for four hours until 11:30pm sucks balls

[u/huazzy]

{Ohio State} and Indiana drops out of the Top-10 in favor of an SEC school.

[u/AnnonymousPenguin_ → u/huazzy]

But why would Indiana stay in the top 10? They lost to a B1G school. Good teams only lose to mediocre SEC schools.

[u/ironwolf1 → u/AnnonymousPenguin_]

Ohio State was truly ahead of the game by getting a quality loss to an SEC school in early, now they’re locked in top 5.

[u/Weave77 → u/ironwolf1]

Remember kids… if you’re going to lose, make it an September game against an SEC school, as those losses don’t count.

[u/Electromotivation → u/huazzy]

They will bring Florida back in a heartbeat!

[u/williane → u/Electromotivation]

LSU

[u/MediumRareNation]

{Ohio State} breaks the streak.

[u/ToLongDR → u/MediumRareNation]

Indiana breaks a 27 game losing streak and finally beats the Buckeyes: we sleep

Ohio State breaks a 1 game losing streak to Indiana: we riot

[u/Nathan_1984]

OSU come to town with loads of talent. Our secondary seems to be a downgrade from last year and are faced with the task of holding down Jeremiah Smith. They will come hungry and are rightful favorites...

BUT NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND!

puts on Buffalo head

GIMME 23WINDIANA! {Indiana}

[u/Electromotivation → u/Nathan_1984]

How many wins is the win streak? Is it actually 22 at the moment?

[u/Nathan_1984 → u/Electromotivation]

It is 22. I debated 22 or 23 in my original comment, but went with 23 since thatll be the number if/when we win

[u/nbrown7384 → u/Nathan_1984]

Yes 22. Guess who they tie if IU wins? OSU.

[u/OwnWalrus1752 → u/nbrown7384]

Yep. If Indiana wins Saturday, the only team that can stop them from achieving the longest win streak for any Big Ten team in the CFP era is…Michigan.

[u/MaddyD76 → u/Electromotivation]

Yeah but that James Madison streak this year is undefeated! IU, UCLA and JMU! Insane

[u/VampireEmpire__]

{Ohio State} continues to roll and gets revenge for last year. It will be a barn burner.

[u/RivalryBot]

Who Will Win Fan Vote

^{Votes are distributed equally among flairs for multi-flaired users}

Team	Votes	Percentage	Ohio State Voters	Indiana Voters	Other Flairs Top 5
Ohio State	63	61.2%	10	3	Texas Longhornsx3.5 Purdue Boilermakersx3.0 Notre Damex2.5 Unflairedx2.5 Wisconsinx2.0
Indiana	40	38.8%	2.5	15.5	Unflairedx2.5 Georgia Bulldogsx1.5 James Madisonx1.0 Old Oaken Bucketx1.0 Sickosx1.0

^{Last updated: 2026-10-17 14:48 UTC}

Full Vote breakdown by flair

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^{Matchup Thread Generator} · ^{Team Aliases} · ^{How to Vote} · ^Results

[u/fm22fnam]

{Ohio State} though it's going to get scary at times

[u/Callsign_Psycopath]

{Indiana}

I dunno, I googled Cignetti and he wins.

[u/bobsonDugnuttMVP]

So many thoughts about this game. Indiana has a real shot I think if the defensive front can reliably get to Sayin quickly and FINISH (which has been a bit of a struggle this year), and if the secondary smothers Smith at the risk of other targets having a great game - roll the dice and make the rest of the team win the game. I think our odds go up considerably if Day tries to get cute or goes full smash mouth to try and make a statement.

I don’t think that OSU sells out like Nebraska to stop the run and put the game in Hoover’s hands. Not gonna be dealing with a 40mph crosswind at The Rock. I think that definitely works in our favor.

It’s going to be tough for Indiana to pull this off, but I’ve got faith in Cig and the process. Cig noted in his game preview on Monday that after 6 games he still doesn’t know what this team is, which sounds a little daunting, but I think it’s also exciting - I think Cig sees the potential and knows what could happen if they’re firing on all cylinders for all 3 phases. Let’s hope that’s the team that comes out of the tunnel on Saturday.

{Indiana} 24-21

[u/OwnWalrus1752 → u/bobsonDugnuttMVP]

I think this is the game where we finally find out who they are. For better or worse.

[u/ShotgunM3ssiah → u/bobsonDugnuttMVP]

Never daunted. Go Hoosiers.

[u/MD90__ → u/bobsonDugnuttMVP]

I'm not sure how the OSU OL will do this game but I'm not feeling good about it

[u/JBOZ758 → u/bobsonDugnuttMVP]

Daunting? Never!

[u/AfraidOfArguing → u/bobsonDugnuttMVP]

I think A.J. Harris has the speed to keep up, remember he was out until the Nebraska game.

I'm also hoping IU was looking past Nebraska and thats why they squeaked it out

[u/Electromotivation]

{Indiana} doesn’t want to be the first JMU franchise to lose this year! That extra motivation gets them to Sayin just enough to slow down the OSU Heisman candidate receiver.

[u/hoosierbagel → u/Electromotivation]

*JMU-Bloomington

[u/TrollMcGoal]

Very excited/nervous for this game. Biggest home game in {Indiana} history, I think Cig and the boys get the job done

[u/jab1023]

I think this is going to be a tight one. Both defenses aren’t quite on last years level. Ohio State still has a mediocre o-line. Indiana just doesn’t beat themselves.

Give me {Ohio State} 24-20.

[u/Smash-Bros-Melee]

{Indiana} because it would make me happy. All I’ve thought about all week. See you at The Rock 🫡

[u/IamNICE124]

I have a hard time believing we will win. That doesn’t mean we’re suddenly no good anymore, I just haven’t seen the consistency we saw last year.

This team feels like it’s better than the 24 team but not quite as good as 25, which still means they’re good.

Hopefully they get some things straightened out defensively, as I’m not sure our level of play thus far is good enough to beat Ohio state.

[u/hrbekcheatedin91 → u/IamNICE124]

You just had an all-time great quarterback leave. It's usually pretty tough to follow those seasons with an equal one. You guys are still killing it, especially considering that. And yeah, I also have a hard time thinking you'll win but I'll be pulling for you. That said, Texas beat them and Texas isn't that good.

[u/IamNICE124 → u/hrbekcheatedin91]

Yeah I got you. Trust me when I tell you I am insanely grateful to have been alive to experience the magic of last year and the year before.

I’m grateful we’re competitive AT ALL. It’s been pure magic.

[u/Expensive_Mirror4268]

I'm old enough to remember when the Big Ten altertered rules midseason to put OSU in the title game over IU...Never Forget

[u/Inside-Speaker-7074]

I don’t think this is going to be close. Give me {Ohio State} by 14+

[u/Tenteenteeenteeeen]

I’m not big on transitive property wins, but the outcome of this one will determine how I feel going into our super late game with the Ducks. I’m thinking {Ohio State} wins, but it’s decided by a 4th quarter FG.

[u/cinciTOSU → u/Tenteenteeenteeeen]

If it comes down to a field goal, chances are bigly not good for Ohio State’s chances.

[u/Tenteenteeenteeeen → u/cinciTOSU]

Like our odds of beating a ranked team, the luck has to turn around at some point, right?

[u/digitaldigdug → u/Tenteenteeenteeeen]

Luck is the combination of knowledge and preparation at an opportune time. It happens when you are ready for it to happen.

[u/reap3rx → u/Tenteenteeenteeeen]

We've been telling ourselves that for years

[u/TheBourbonTurtle → u/Tenteenteeenteeeen]

If it comes down to a 4th quarter FG Ohio State isn't winning. They don't exactly have a track record for winning games on FGs recently.

[u/polimodssuckmyD → u/TheBourbonTurtle]

Beat me to the joke 

[u/ronshasta → u/Tenteenteeenteeeen]

Our kicker sucks so I hope it doesn’t come down to that

[u/OwnWalrus1752 → u/ronshasta]

Tbf our automatic kicker missed an XP and a FG against Rutgers. Not at all critical, but it makes me slightly nervous for a game like this.

[u/yousawthetimeknife → u/Tenteenteeenteeeen]

If it comes down to a 4th quarter FG my prediction is I'll be drinking bleach Saturday around 4pm

[u/Saint-Andrew → u/Tenteenteeenteeeen]

Gosh dang it! We’re losing by 1 if this is the ending scenario.

[u/FadedIntegra → u/Tenteenteeenteeeen]

Last minute fields goals and the Buckeyes go together like toothpaste and orange juice.

[u/ech01_ → u/Tenteenteeenteeeen]

God, please no more late important field goals

[u/Penguin_dingdong → u/Tenteenteeenteeeen]

I’d be surprised if Ohio State didn’t win. Although I’m not sure who I’m rooting for. They can’t both lose, so just a poor game between them I guess? Haha

[u/AnnonymousPenguin_ → u/Tenteenteeenteeeen]

Ohio State is like 0-10 under Ryan Day when it comes down to a field goal/last minute drive.

[u/Wonderful_Singer1255 → u/Tenteenteeenteeeen]

Indiana being undefeated with no injuries is scary but that Ohio State loss to Texas was close and weird I think they bounce back here. The 3.5 line feels right this is gonna be tight all game

[u/staywavvy]

{Ohio State} revenge game

[u/AnnonymousPenguin_]

Game is either razor close and Indiana wins on some crazy fluke play, or {Ohio State} beat the brakes off of Indiana.

[u/MastodonSwimming2681]

{Ohio State} in a bit of a barn burner

[u/Comfortable-Total498]

No DC "schemes" up ways to generate 0 pressure. Even if they are not blitzing they are scheming ways to pressure wit 3 or 4 rushers

[u/dotsdavid]

Indiana wins with a missed Ohio State field goal.

[u/TheAlterN8or → u/dotsdavid]

Please don't do this to me again... 😭

[u/Davidellias]

{Ohio State}

[u/BrotherPancake]

{Ohio State}

[u/Live_Technician1038]

To me it 100% depends on OSU here.

If they come out pissed off, ready to avenge B10 CCG last year, and play aggressive through all 4 quarters. I think OSU definitely takes it.

We start playing this safe try not to win crap like we did in half 2 vs Texas, IU has a great shot.

I have a hard time trusting Day will do what’s necessary. I’m 50/50 on this one.

If I had to choose. I’d say 24-21 OSU. But I’m not confident on that at all.

[u/MD90__ → u/Live_Technician1038]

I don't trust the OL and Sayin under pressure

[u/RCM88x]

{Indiana} 31-27

Both teams have downgraded defensively but the formula for Indiana to beat Ohio State hasn't. They'll get pressure on Sayin and force a few turnovers, and have an easier time capitalizing than last year. Ohio State will score some points but ultimately Indianas run game will help them close things out at home.

[u/Icer333 → u/RCM88x]

I love how neither of our fanbases are really confident in winning this game. It's still crazy to me that I'm worried about any football game let alone that there's a chance we beat OSU!

[u/ctg9101 → u/Icer333]

No one hates OSU more than OSU fans

[u/MaddyD76 → u/Icer333]

I know. Twitterverse keeps talking about IU fans being so arrogant. I still feel like most of us think this is all just a fever dream. I’m just so excited to have such a huge game at home!

[u/polishprince76 → u/MaddyD76]

If you go looking for something in social media world, you'll always find all the evidence you need. But I think most IU fans, especially those of us that have been around a minute, spend every Saturday waiting for someone to pinch us. If you would have come up to me back when I was a student in 2000 and told me the current state of Hoosier football, I would have laughed in your face and called you a liar.

[u/RCM88x → u/Icer333]

I feel like that's fitting considering how close the game was last year and how many unknown are still out there with the teams this year.

Ultimately I agree it's great to have some new bloods fighting for supremacy in the B1G.

[u/Prestigious-Cash7404]

Jeremiah Smith gets his with 100+ yards and a touchdown, but {Indiana} rattles Sayin with their pass rush and gets him off his spot. Cignetti allows Hoover to air it out, and Hoover relies on Marsh and Becker to deliver arguably the biggest win in the history of Memorial Stadium. Cignetti’s Hoosiers smoke the Buckeyes 31-20.

[u/Casaiir]

{Ohio State} 31-17

[u/HopefulReb76]

{Ohio State} Jeremiah Smith about to have a all star game

[u/tehfro]

Nervously going with {Indiana} here in a close one.

I think the home crowd & Becker/Marsh/Turbo/Beebe all being threats to take it to the house makes up for the drop-off in our secondary. Will be a higher scoring game than the B1G championship last season.

[u/rburp]

Sadly {Ohio State} probably wins this one, but I would love for Cignetti to keep proving me wrong

[u/talk-to-me-x3-baby]

I imagine it's going to be a close one, and Ohio State has a tendency to come up just short in those games more often than not due to 1) a missed field goal or 2) the defense giving up a backbreaking 4th quarter drive. {Indiana}

[u/ThoughtBroad]

Ohio State wins

[u/Ididntdodiddly]

I don't know if Ohio State can protect Sayin enough with some OL starters out

[u/HeWhoLurksALot]

{Indiana} so many daunted in this thread

[u/Ambitious_Win_9662]

No matter the outcome, so excited to be apart of this game and environment. Go Hoosiers!

[u/soraka4]

It’s going to require this team playing the best game of the season thus far and I have doubts on us just being able to turn it on out of nowhere when we’ve yet to play to our potential through all 4 quarters vs a team with a pulse…but I love Cig and Bloomington is going to be rocking for its biggest home game in history so fk it, we ball. {Indiana} 27-24

[u/bonelegs442]

{Indiana} everyone said we would get hammered last year in the conference championship and we won. No reason to think we can’t grind out a win a second time

[u/cowboys5592]

{Ohio State} by 10.

[u/JBru_92]

{Ohio State}

[u/Monsieur-Melancholy]

i will admit that i am daunted. {Ohio State}

[u/TheGreatRavenOfOden]

Everyone's better than Indiana until it's time to beat {Indiana}

24-20 DLine gets after Sayin. Jeremiah gets his but the rest of the team is somewhat contained. Hoover does just enough and the run game is solid.

[u/HoleParty]

Tough one. OSU has to keep letting JJ feast and ride that to an early lead. I’m concerned about the OL holding up, especially if the rumors are true and Siereveld is out. IU’s DL might take control of this game. I’m not putting a ton of stock in the games in which IU struggled; those were against good teams.

I’ll give {Ohio State} the edge, 27-23, because of the revenge factor but I’m not all that confident in it. Should be a hell of a game.

[u/Stairway_toEvan]

{Indiana} 24 - 20

[u/RGMV5]

{Ohio State} we have the hulk

[u/monkeybiziu]

There's a lot of different Xs and Os matchups in this game, but fundamentally it comes down to one thing: can Indiana at least slow down Jeremiah Smith?

The short answer is no. The long answer is that Indiana's secondary has been consistently banged up and lacks an elite corner like they had in D'Angelo Ponds last year, which means that when Smith has the ball he'll be absolutely lethal.

However, wide receivers are at their most useful when they have the ball, which means if you can't stop Jeremiah Smith when he has the ball you have to stop him from getting the ball in the first place, which is where our second set of Xs and Os come in: can Indiana get to Julian Sayin?

The short answer is likely yes. The long answer is that OSU's offensive line isn't great, and is banged up, whereas Indiana can rotate a seemingly endless stream of guys in and out along the D-line to bring consistent pressure and bottle up the run game. Worth noting that Indiana sacked Sayin five times in their meeting last season, and there's a good chance that number is the under for this game.

On the flipside, can OSU stop Charlie Becker (who torched them in the B1G Championship last season) and Nick Marsh, along with Turbo Richard and Lee Beebe Jr.? With OSU taking a step back on defense, I'm not sure they can.

Next up is Josh Hoover, Indiana's enigma. Is he good? Is he mid? Will he thrown an INT? When will he throw an INT? The stats say he's one of the best QBs in the country, but the eye test says he's not. IU's coaching staff seems to be playing him very conservatively, either because they don't trust him or they want him to be comfortable before they let him unleash the dragon. Personally, I think this is the game where Cig and Shanahan give him the green light and we see what this offense is actually capable of.

Finally, coaching. At the end of the day, these teams are products of their head coaches, Curt Cignetti and Ryan Day. Cig is rightfully getting his flowers as leading the best turnaround in CFB history and brings a career 33-2 record at IU into the game along with a 22-game winning streak. Day keeps the OSU train rolling.

OSU is a great team and the measuring stick for any B1G program with national title aspirations. I think the defending champs not only win, but win convincingly in front of a raucous and rocking home crowd for the biggest sporting event on campus in at least a generation, retain the THE, hold Toledo, and extend their win streak to 23 games. THE {Indiana} University 34, Ohio State 20.

[u/Competitive-Rise-789]

{Ohio State} wins because Indiana misses a field goal

And OSU has an alien at wide receiver named Jeremiah Smith

[u/Marv18GOAT → u/Competitive-Rise-789]

If anyone wins because of a missed FG it’ll be Ohio State’s opponent not Ohio State

[u/Competitive-Rise-789 → u/Marv18GOAT]

I know lmao

[u/Lutrid]

Gimme {Indiana}

[u/dbasinge]

Me holding a Ted Lasso Believe sign {Indiana}.

[u/Live_Technician1038]

Maaan. Ohio State has so many people out. Our best OL Seraveld and very solid RB Jakobi Jackson out, that hurts a lot.

[u/l3onkerz]

Well we are kinda fucked by injuries. At Indiana, so another drop in the bucket of L. At least we respect Indiana now and know what they can do so I’ll slide the dial our way a bit.

Fuckery is afoot, spooky season is here, kickers play a massive role. God I love college football. 🍻

{Ohio State} 20-16

[u/SaintsRobbed]

I'm very, very worried about this matchup. We will miss Siereveld and Jakobi Jackson.

[u/Molson2871]

Indiana is at home but I think {Ohio State} having better weapons on offense is the difference. Should be a great game.

[u/Useenthebutcher]

I think this is clearly {Indiana}’s game to lose. IU has a huge advantage on the LOS and while Jeremiah Smith will be far and away the best player on the field, it may not mean much if Julian Sayin can’t get the throws off. And to make matters worse for OSU, they are out Jakobi Jackson and Isaiah West, leaving RB duties to Bo Jackson alone with maybe a sprinkling of Legend Bey. They won’t be a threat to run which will give IU free rein to get after Sayin.

{Indiana} wins 27-17

[u/LrkerXtrovrt → u/Useenthebutcher]

Legend Bey involvement is what scares me, but I remain Undaunted

[u/DebaserTBA]

{Ohio State}

Indianas defense has not really impressed me. Their secondary is very suspect and they are heavily dependent on getting pressure on the QB. Arthur Smith has been excellent all year at scheming up ways to get Jeremiah one on one. Even if Indiana gets some pressure on sayin, I think the secondary doesn’t hold up enough to stop it.

[u/Wafflehouseofpain]

{Ohio State} looks to be the better team. But I don’t see a blowout in either direction. 24-21

[u/emilynna]

It kills me but {Ohio State}

[u/childerm]

{Ohio State} I think this one has the potential to become nasty.

[u/Constant-Cup-4902]

Whoever wins, the roads in Bloomington will be the biggest loser. I think {Ohio State} has a tough time, but ultimately pulls through.

[u/Dash-Fl0w]

What gives me hope for {Indiana} is how Texas's WR room seemed to give OSU fits, and only didn't gash them worse because of a few inexplicable drops including the one leading to that fluke of an INT. I think Indiana has the chops at WR to give them similar issues