The Big Ten is looking exactly like nobody predicted back in August. Ohio State? 12-0 (9-0). Indiana? 12-0 (9-0). The Buckeyes remain at number one, with the Hoosiers right behind them at number two. But if we’re being honest, this whole season has felt like one long argument building up, and the side most choose, Ohio State, is the wrong side. We will get the showdown everyone has been waiting for. The Ohio State University and Indiana University will play in Indianapolis on December 6th for the 2025 Big Ten championship.
Let’s start with Ohio State. The Buckeyes really haven’t had any tough games yet this year, and sure, they still have all the talent in the world. Julian Sayin has grown a lot since Week one, and he’s definitely more confident in the offense now. Brian Hartline seems to be opening up the playbook more for him, and Matt Patricia’s defense has been bending but not breaking. But still, something is missing. The Buckeyes look good but not unbeatable.
Now, Indiana… what a season. Curt Cignetti basically revamped this team in one off-season, and they’re playing like they’ve been together for years. Fernando Mendoza hasn’t slowed down at all; he’s still slinging the ball all over the field. Roman Hemby has been the steady veteran presence everyone expected, and receivers Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt have been unstoppable. Indiana doesn’t just look good; Indiana looks in control every single week.
Saturday, November 15, Indiana took down Wisconsin 31-7, and after the game, Mendoza said, “We’re not worried about rankings, we’re worried about earning respect.” Well, if the Hoosiers win next week, they’ll earn more than respect; they’ll earn the whole Big Ten.
Ohio State also handled business against Rutgers, 42-9, playing an overall dominant game and showing they can blow out teams. It’s nice to blowout teams, the backups get to play, and your fans don’t need to clench their fists at the TV, but there is a downside. The reason Ohio State will not win against Indiana is simply the lack of adversity. At the beginning of the season, the Buckeyes beat Texas 14-7, and to be honest, the game was not very exciting. Although adversity may have been present, it wasn’t enough to make me fully believe in Ohio State’s ability to perform in high-pressure situations. Unlike the Buckeyes, the Hoosiers have been in three games where they were forced to battle through adversity, two of the three games having game-winning drives. I’m confident in the Hoosiers to handle the adversity better than the Buckeyes when it inevitably comes.
So here we are. Both teams are undefeated. Both teams are fighting for the Big Ten. And both teams are trying to prove something. The Buckeyes want to protect their legacy. The Hoosiers want to change a stereotype. Everything is on the line. And honestly? Indiana might just be the team better built for the moment.
