On Saturday, December 6, the Ohio State Buckeyes continue their journey through the 2025 season by appearing in the Big Ten Championship Game. Ohio State is hoping to win another national championship and remain undefeated this season.

Standing in the way are the Indiana Hoosiers, who, like Ohio State, are also undefeated at 12–0. The Buckeyes must defeat Indiana to lock down a College Football Playoff berth, which would also give them the number one seed. While Ohio State is almost certain to make the College Football Playoff even with a loss on Saturday, the team wants to continue its positive momentum.

There may not be quite the same playoff stakes as the Big 12 or SEC championship games, as both Ohio State and Indiana are firmly projected to make the bracket and are currently expected to receive first-round byes. But there is still plenty at stake—including the Heisman Trophy race—as college football’s two best teams finally face off this season.

Ohio State, last year’s national champion, comes to Indianapolis with the nation’s most efficient passer in Julian Sayin, the best pair of receivers in the country in Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, and a ferocious defense led by linebacker Arvell Reese and safety Caleb Downs. The Buckeyes have rarely been tested this season but have looked every bit like the nation’s top team.

Indiana, last year’s surprise team, proved this season it was no one-year fluke. Cal transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza has been tremendous as one of the nation’s best quarterbacks. The Hoosiers’ defense, orchestrated by defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, ranks in the top three in scoring defense, rushing defense, and total defense. This is an even better and more well-rounded Indiana team than the one that made the College Football Playoff a year ago.

Now let’s take a look at what could be expected in this ranked matchup to determine this year’s Big Ten champion.

Heisman Stakes for Both Ohio State and Indiana-

Heading into the final weekend, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is tied with Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia for the best Heisman odds, while Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin is close behind in the number three spot. With Pavia idle this championship weekend, the winning quarterback of the Big Ten title game will have a terrific opportunity to deliver a true Heisman moment. Sayin and Mendoza both have strong cases in what has been a wide-open Heisman race all season.

In Sayin’s first year as the Buckeyes’ starter, he leads the nation in completion percentage at 78.9%, has thrown for 3,066 yards, 30 touchdowns, and only six interceptions. Mendoza has been similarly impressive with 2,758 yards, 32 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Watching these two quarterbacks operate against elite defenses will be one of the most compelling aspects of the matchup.

Longest Winning Streaks for Both Ohio State and Indiana-

The two teams with the longest regular-season winning streaks will meet in Indianapolis. Indiana has won its last 13 regular-season games, while Ohio State now has 12 consecutive wins after finally beating Michigan in its regular-season finale. When postseason games and last year’s title run are included, Ohio State has a nation-best 16 consecutive wins, while Indiana ranks second with 12. One other important stat: Ohio State, a 4.5-point favorite over the Hoosiers, has an impressive 10–1 record this season.

College Football Implications-

Neither Ohio State nor Indiana has to worry about missing the playoffs regardless of Saturday’s outcome. The winner will be locked into the number one overall College Football Playoff seed and guaranteed a first-round bye. The bigger question is whether the loser could fall out of the top four and lose its bye. That will depend on the game itself and the final score. Assuming the game is reasonably close, the odds strongly favor both teams keeping their byes. It is extremely unlikely that fifth-ranked Oregon will jump either team—especially Indiana, which beat the Ducks head-to-head in Eugene.

Ohio State’s Julian Sayin Throwing Two Touchdowns Against Indiana-

The Buckeyes are led this season by young quarterback Julian Sayin, who has picked up right where Will Howard left off, leading Ohio State to win after win.

This season, Sayin has thrown for 3,065 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. He enters the Big Ten title game with momentum after throwing three touchdown passes in the win over Michigan.

Sayin has the hot hand, and it should continue against Indiana. He has remained poised all season, leading Ohio State to victories over several ranked teams including Texas, Michigan, and Illinois. The Ohio State quarterback should throw two touchdown passes in this game. He has plenty of weapons—including standout wideout Jeremiah Smith—and while Indiana has a strong defense, Sayin will find ways to score.

Ohio State’s Passing Defense Will Lock Down Indiana’s Passing Game-

The Buckeyes have their hands full with Indiana’s dynamic quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who has thrown for 2,758 yards and 32 touchdowns this season.

But Mendoza has not yet faced a pass defense as dominant as Ohio State’s. The Buckeyes lead the NCAA in passing yards allowed per game, giving up only 121. Nebraska ranks second at 141 yards per game—a massive 20-yard gap.

Indiana will likely struggle to pass the ball in the Big Ten title game. Ohio State’s powerful secondary should be able to lock down the Hoosiers, making it difficult for Indiana to keep up with the Buckeyes’ offense.

What to Expect in the Big Ten Championship Game-

On paper, this Big Ten Championship Game is as good as it gets. Both teams possess enough offensive firepower and defensive strength to create an all-time classic.

But matchups aren’t decided on paper, which makes this number-one-versus-number-two showdown even more enticing.

Indiana’s past struggles against Ohio State are well-documented. The Hoosiers have not defeated the Buckeyes since 1988. However, Curt Cignetti has proven that Indiana’s past history has no impact on the way his team performs in the present—something that shouldn’t change in this matchup.

Indiana has learned a great deal and improved dramatically since its 38–15 loss to Ohio State in 2024. This Hoosiers team is stronger, deeper, more talented, more mature, and more capable of handling adversity. These traits should serve Indiana well, and the moment shouldn’t be too big.

That being said, Ohio State is a different kind of challenge. Ryan Day reloaded in the offseason after winning a national championship, and the Buckeyes are arguably playing even better this year. The addition of defensive coordinator Matt Patricia has been highly successful, and Julian Sayin’s rapid development into an elite quarterback has taken Ohio State to another level.

This will not be an easy game for Indiana. If the Hoosiers are going to pull off the win, it must start up front. Indiana’s top-ranked rushing attack must be productive to ease the burden on Mendoza. Defensively, Bryant Haines will need the best game plan of his career to pressure Sayin and keep him off balance.

We should know early whether Indiana’s trench play can match Ohio State’s. The questions will be: Can Indiana open up running lanes? Can its offensive line handle Ohio State’s four-man rush? Can the Hoosiers’ defensive front collapse the pocket and force Sayin to move or throw quicker than he wants to?

If the answer is yes, Indiana has a real chance to win. If not, it could be a long night in Indianapolis.

Ultimately, Indiana is equipped to handle adversity and compete schematically, enough so that the game should come down to the final few possessions. But the Buckeyes have been in these high-pressure situations many times, while Indiana is still growing as a program.

My heart says Indiana, but my brain says Ohio State makes just enough plays late in the fourth quarter to claim the Big Ten Championship. Still, it would be shocking if Indiana looks overwhelmed or outmatched and doesn’t have a chance late.

Final score: Ohio State 34, Indiana 27.
Kickoff is at 8:00 p.m. on FOX.