The Silver Bulletin staff predicts Ohio State vs. Indiana as the Buckeyes and Hoosiers collide in a Top 5 showdown in Bloomington. 

Ohio State heads to Bloomington on Saturday for a top-five matchup with Indiana, looking to answer the Hoosiers after last season’s 13-10 Big Ten Championship Game loss. Curt Cignetti has built Indiana into a national contender, and the Hoosiers can prove last year was no fluke.

For Ryan Day and the Buckeyes, this is an opportunity to respond on the road against a team that exposed their weaknesses in the trenches last December.

The Silver Bulletin staff is split on several key matchups entering Saturday’s noon kickoff, from how Ohio State’s offensive line will hold up against Indiana’s defensive front to whether Julian Sayin and the Buckeyes’ offense can find enough answers to leave Bloomington with a win.

Our staff breaks down the matchup, makes its score predictions, and picks a winner in one of the biggest games of the season:

Dave

This is a tough battle and a classic game that ultimately ends in disappointment for the Scarlet and Gray.

Bold Prediction: Julian Sayin throws an interception in the end zone to end the game.

Indiana 27, Ohio State 23

Blake Biscardi

The last two National Champions face off in an epic battle for the inside track to what might be the final Big Ten Championship Game. Ohio State will be focused and ready to execute, something they couldn’t sustain against Texas for sixty minutes. Ryan Day’s team starts fast and plays consistently from the opening kickoff to triple zeros.

Julian Sayin operates the offense, and his legs are the key for the Buckeyes. Jeremiah Smith continues to be a difference-maker, while Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh also have their moments. An unsung hero for Ohio State, though, will be Phillip Bell. His impact at wide receiver and on returns will be a game-changer for the Scarlet and Gray.

Matt Patricia forces Josh Hoover’s first turnover of the season, and I’m predicting Jaylen McClain will come up with the interception. The Buckeyes also stand up in the running game. Ohio State avenges last December’s loss.

Bold Prediction: Phillip Bell records more than 75 yards, and Connor Hawkins makes a 40+ yard field goal.

Ohio State 24, Indiana 17

Grant Kincaid

Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers enter Saturday’s matchup on a 22-game winning streak. The streak is the third longest in the Big Ten since 2000, and a win this weekend would tie Indiana with the 2014-15 Buckeyes. Fresh off the first 16-0 season in college football history, the Hoosiers have ridden a wave of momentum to stay unbeaten this year despite a plethora of change.

OSU has a chance to wash away the bad taste of last December’s disappointing loss. Revenge will certainly motivate this team, but the focus has to be on the here and now because this matchup’s magnitude can’t be underestimated. After six weeks, both teams are emerging as clear Big Ten frontrunners. A victory this weekend puts the winner in the driver’s seat for a conference championship and a playoff bye.

Bold Prediction: Josh Hoover will commit multiple turnovers, including his first pick of the year.

Ohio State 28, Indiana 24

Dan Smyth

This is a must-win game for the Buckeyes. Indiana isn’t as hungry in this one. Even with offensive line injuries, Julian Sayin’s newfound elusiveness will be a critical difference-maker. Jeremiah Smith goes nuclear and cements himself as the Heisman frontrunner. Buckeyes win.

Bold Prediction: The tight end unit will score at least one touchdown Saturday.

Ohio State 28, Indiana 17

Josh Cassinger

The Buckeyes and Hoosiers match up in the biggest game in the Big Ten this season. Ohio State is limping into this matchup, while Indiana is at full strength.

Offensively, I think the Buckeyes will have to overcome the loss of JaKobi Jackson and Austin Siereveld. The good news is that Brandon Inniss and Phillip Daniels will be ready to go. I expect Bo Jackson to have a good day and Jeremiah Smith to keep building his Heisman campaign.

Defensively, if the Buckeyes can contain the Hoover-to-Becker and Marsh connection, and slow down the run game, they will be in great shape. Buckeyes win in a classic.

Bold Prediction: Legend Bey will have his moment, just like J.K. Dobbins did against Indiana in 2017. Bey will find a way into the end zone.

Ohio State 23, Indiana 17

Carson Hutton

Ohio State has the best player on the field at all times in Jeremiah Smith. In even matchups, it comes down to who makes the right play at the right time, and this duo deserves more faith than any other.

Although Ryan Day faltered late in what could have been a huge win at Texas, I think he will be better prepared this time, with the revenge factor in play. Jeremiah Smith will continue to score and prove he is one of the best to ever play the game, while Devin McCuin, Brandon Inniss, and Bo Jackson will show their worth and combine for two scores. The defense will force a big turnover at some point as Jaylen McClain and Eddrick Houston continue to elevate their units.

The spread opened even and is now Ohio State -3.5, with the moneyline at -180 for Ohio State and +150 for Indiana. The over/under point total opened at 48.5 and has ticked up to 50.5. I think both are pretty accurate, given the talent on both sides of the ball. I think Ohio State weathers an early storm and makes enough plays late to earn their biggest win of the year.

Bold Prediction: Bo Jackson eclipses the 100-yard mark for the second week in a row and scores a touchdown.

Ohio State 27, Indiana 20

Cody Croy

The Buckeyes will need to be firing on all cylinders. Injuries have depleted the offensive line, so they’ll need to adopt a next-man-up approach. Julian Sayin will continue to look sharp, and I expect the offense to look strong if the game plan focuses on Jeremiah Smith.

Bold Prediction: I think Legend Bey will have a breakout performance and lead the team in rushing yards.

Ohio State 28, Indiana 21

AJ Mahoney

Indiana isn’t like they were last year. This team doesn’t seem to click in those big moments with Hoover the way they did with Mendoza. That doesn’t make them any less scary tho, especially on home field. Ryan Day has a chance to get revenge against the team that cost them a potential national championship run last season.

The Buckeyes will not win this game if their game plan is to feed the 2026 Heisman Winner Jeremiah Smith every play. Someone in the receiving corps needs to step up and make a statement. Will we see Legend Bey get more touches with Jakobi Jackson out? These questions make me second-guess who I have winning.

Both defenses are great; the Buckeyes have struggled with pass coverage this season, and Josh Hoover has 17 passing touchdowns. The Buckeyes need to use their speed off the edge to force Hoover to maneuver in the pocket and keep him from setting his sights on his number one target.

Bold Prediction: Brock Boyd gets his first career touchdown.

Indiana 28, Ohio State 27

Alex Biscardi

If the Buckeyes want to win, they have to do two things: the offensive line must block, and the defensive line must stop the run. I think Bo Jackson finds the end zone twice, and that Ohio State gets an early turnover in Indiana territory to set up a short field. Julian Sayin goes for 285+ yards and records a rushing touchdown.

Bold Prediction: Julian Sayin gets his third rushing touchdown of the season.

Ohio State 34, Indiana 21