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Indiana Football Game Preview: Big Ten Championship – key storyline, injury report, how to watch

6I5A5606by: Drew Rosenberg2 hours agodrew_rosenberg2

Indiana football heads to Indianapolis this week for the Big Ten Championship, where they’ll meet Ohio State.

The No. 2 Hoosiers are coming off a dominant 56-3 win over Purdue in the Old Oaken Bucket Game on Friday to finish the regular season 12-0.

Ohio State is 12-0 on the season and coming off a National Championship last season. Head coach Ryan Day is in his 7th full season with the Buckeyes, having gone 82-10 as head coach.

As the last two unbeaten teams in college football, both have likely secured their place in the College Football Playoff, but they will be playing for the top overall seed in the bracket.

Below is the full preview ahead of the Big Ten Championship.

Coach Q&A: Curt Cignetti previews Big Ten Championship clash with Ohio State

Key Storyline

Heisman Trophy Battle?

Quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza and Julian Sayin have found themselves in a battle for the Heisman Trophy that could easily be decided Saturday night.

The quarterbacks are tied two of the favorites with Sayin at +150, Mendoza at +175 for the award, with Diego Pavia sitting in between at +170 per BetMGM.

With Pavia not playing in a conference championship game, the award will likely come down to who plays better on Saturday: Mendoza or Sayin.

Mendoza and Sayin could not be much closer stats-wise.

Sayin has completed 78.9% of his passes for 3,065 yards and 30 touchdowns while only throwing five picks.

Mendoza has completed 72.0% of his passes, 2,758 yards, 32 touchdowns, and has also thrown just five picks, but has also rushed for 243 yards and six touchdowns.

With both teams undefeated and neither creating a sizable gap statistically, college football’s most prestigious award could be decided on Saturday in Indy.

Both guys will solely be focused on winning the Big Ten Championship on Saturday, but the quarterback who steps up in the biggest moment will likely end up taking home both the Big Ten and the Heisman Trophy.

Numerous Hoosiers garner All-Big Ten, postseason honors

Matchup History

This will be the 99th meeting between the Hoosiers and Buckeyes, with Indiana winning just 12 matchups and tying five.

The first matchup between the schools was an 18-6 Indiana victory in November of 1901.

Indiana has lost the last 30 matchups, with their most recent win coming in 1988.

Last year, the Buckeyes ended the Hoosiers’ undefeated run in Columbus, winning 38-15. Indiana threw for just 68 yards in that game, with Elijah Sarratt having 40 receiving yards on three catches.

Game Week Q&A: Roman Hemby, Kaelon Black and Isaiah Jones preview clash with Ohio State

Injury Report

Indiana pass rusher Kellan Wyatt is out for the season after suffering an injury vs Michigan State.

Running back Lee Beebe suffered a knee injury in week three and will miss the rest of the 2025 season.

Redshirt-senior safety Bryson Bonds is out for the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury in week one.

Players Q&A: Fernando Mendoza, Pat Coogan, Aiden Fisher preview clash with Ohio State

Quick Hitters

Who?  #2 Indiana 12-0 (9-0) vs #1 Ohio State 12-0 (9-0)

When?  Dec. 5 | 8:00 p.m. ET

Where?  Lucas Oil Stadium | Indianapolis, Ind.

TV: FOX

Radio:  Indiana Hoosiers Sports Network

Spread:  Ohio State -4.5 per BetMGM

Over/Under: 48.5 per BetMGM

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