The Big Ten Championship between No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Indiana is one of the most anticipated matchups of the season.
The College Football world turns its attention to Indianapolis on Saturday night. Ohio State and Indiana are set for a heavyweight fight as the top two teams in the country. The Hoosiers are one of the flashiest teams in America, but they haven’t faced a test like the Buckeyes.
Matt Patricia is the X-Factor in this game, calling the defense for Ohio State, which is on a mission this season. Can Indiana run the football against a vaunted front? On the other side, Bo Jackson looks to continue his freshman ascent on an even bigger stage.
Let’s take a look at our team’s predictions in this week’s edition of TSB Staff Picks for the Big Ten Championship:
Dave: 24-23 Indiana
Blake: Ohio State and Indiana have been the two best teams in the country for most of the season. The Big Ten Championship Game has every implication imaginable riding on the outcome. Julian Sayin battles Fernando Mendoza for the Heisman Trophy, and the winning team earns the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. These two teams have been on a collision course for the back half of the season, and the matchup arrives as No. 1 vs No. 2.
The Buckeyes restored order in the rivalry last week, so rumors of a letdown this week loom. I don’t expect that from Ohio State, as the Buckeyes haven’t won the conference since 2020. Tons of excitement circulate about this game on both sides. Indiana struggles against top run defenses, so what happens if they become one-dimensional? I think we’re going to find out, as Ohio State will win the line of scrimmage.
This game will be tight early, but the Buckeyes will be aggressive. Julian Sayin outduels Fernando Mendoza, and Ohio State gets it done in Indianapolis. Ohio State 34 Indiana 24
Dan: In an instant classic, the Buckeyes and Indiana fight tooth and nail in the biggest game of the season. Sayin shreds the Hoosier defense, but Mendoza fights back. The difference is the Ohio State defense making a few key stops in the red zone. Buckeyes win 35-34!
Cass: It’s the Big Ten Championship! No. 1 vs No. 2. Mendoza vs Sayin for the Heisman. Buckeyes win by two scores, and Sayin locks the Heisman. Buckeyes 35 Hoosiers 21
Carson H: Both teams are 12-0, but still have a lot to prove in their own minds. Many are writing off the game, saying it doesn’t matter much for playoff seeding, but both teams want this game as badly as any they have played to date.
The Buckeyes are back in Indy for the first time since the 2020 Covid season, where they beat Northwestern 22-10 in an ugly game. The Hoosiers haven’t been to the game since the format started in 2011.
The moneyline for this one is Ohio State -205 and Indiana +170, with the spread opening at Ohio State -5.5 and now at -4.5. The over/under point total opened at 48.5 and is currently at 48.5. The expectation is for both teams to score a few times, but nothing crazy, given the two strong defenses.
Both teams have been tested, but not too much this season. It will be interesting to see who is aggressive and takes shots, given that neither team has any glaring weaknesses. The way Ohio State beat Michigan last week in all facets gives me confidence that they will be able to do enough to win this one. I think Caleb Downs or one of the BIA members will make a big play late against Mendoza that seals an Ohio State win and trophy.
Julian Sayin will have all his weapons at his disposal, and his offensive line gave him all the time in the world last week. I think he outduels Mendoza, with Jeremiah Smith having an excellent stat line, over 100 yards and a touchdown or two. The Buckeyes and Hoosiers play it close early, but the Buckeyes flex their muscles late to hoist their first Big Ten Championship trophy in five years. Ohio State 31 Indiana 17
TJ: Both teams start slow, and a late score by Indiana makes it look closer than it actually is. Julian Sayin officially outplays Mendoza and puts himself firmly in the driver’s seat for the Heisman. Buckeyes roll into playoffs as the only remaining unbeaten. Ohio State 24 Indiana 16
AJ: Ohio State 31 Indiana 27
Alex: Ohio State 31 Indiana 20
