Staff Picks: Predicting Indiana's Big Ten title showdown with Ohio State

A week after finishing off a perfect 12-0 regular season with a rivalry win over Purdue in West Lafayette, Indiana is set for its first ever appearance in the Big Ten Championship.

The No. 2 Hoosiers are primed for a primetime showdown with No. 1 Ohio State with not only a Big Ten title on the line. The No. 1 overall seed entering the College Football Playoff and the Hesiman Trophy are also on the line Saturday in Indianapolis.

Each week throughout the season, our staff will break down the upcoming matchup and make their predictions on how things will play out. From big-picture storylines to score forecasts, our weekly picks aim to give fans a snapshot of expectations heading into game day.

This week, the focus is squarely on Indiana’s Big Ten Championship clash with Ohio State in Indianapolis.

Zach’s Pick

This is an interesting matchup that’s hard to predict. Ohio State hasn’t been pushed much at all this season, but the Buckeyes also haven’t played anyone as good as Indiana. On the flip side, Indiana has been tested. The Hoosiers were pushed to the brink multiple times this year, including on the road against Oregon — which is the most comparable opponent to Ohio State that Indiana has faced this season. The Hoosiers controlled that game for the majority of it. However, the Buckeyes are a different animal. Unlike last season, I expect this year’s clash between two of the sports titans to be close right down until the very end. What sways we one way over the other is that the Hoosiers enter this contest battle tested, whereas the Buckeyes have dominated every opponent. There will be adversity on Saturday night, for both teams. I’ll take the group that’s already been put through the ringer and managed to prevail on multiple occasions this season.

Prediction: Indiana 28, Ohio State 24

Alec’s Pick

The biggest game in Indiana football history is here and it holds a lot of weight in the landscape of college football. But all of that aside, these have been the two teams that have been atop the rankings for most of the last 2.5 months. They match up perfectly in almost every aspect — passing game, wide receivers, rushing attack, defense, etc. the list goes on and on. The biggest x-factors and keys for me are: 1) safety play — Caleb Downs, Lou Moore and Amare Ferrell are three of the top safeties in all of college football and they make game changing plays nearly every game for their respective teams. Neither team makes significant self-inflicted mistakes, and with the explosiveness of the passing game, one of those three safeties needs to make a game changing play down the field, or come up and make a key stop at the line of scrimmage — which all three are more than capable of. I think that’s one of the most underrated matchups of the game. 2) Get Julian Sayin out of the pocket with bringing extra bodies. Sayin has 17 touchdowns and just one interception when he’s blitzed. If IU can get its defensive line to get pressure on Sayin and roll him out of the pocket, that favors IU. 3) Which 3rd wideout will make a play for Indiana. I think Omar Cooper is a more difficult guard for Ohio State with his athleticism, explosiveness and versatility, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see Downs shade more over on that side/wherever he is. I think one of Sarratt/Cooper have a big game, but the other is limited, so is it Charlie Becker who steps up? EJ Williams — is healthy? Riley Nowakowski. One of those three players will need to step up and make a play. Can they? Finally, Indiana has been battle tested all year and stepped up in major moments. OSU hasn’t, at least not nearly like IU has. That matters in a game I expect to be very close. This isn’t a ‘good story’. Indiana is legit, and I think they prove it on Saturday.

Prediction: Indiana 24, Ohio State 20

Colins’ Pick

After 12 weeks and 12 wins, Indiana has already made so much history, but it can make more on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium. There’s so many storylines to follow, it’s hard to focus on just one, but I’d say the game will be won based on who controls the line of scrimmage. If the Hoosiers can hold their weight against the Ohio State offensive and defensive lines, I think Indiana will find success on both sides of the ball. The Buckeyes’ playmakers might be the best in the country, but Indiana’s is right there with them. Fernando Mendoza and Julian Sayin are battling for the Heisman, but I still think whoever can impose their will on the line will secure the Big Ten Championship. Unfortunately, I think OSU will have a slight advantage at the line of scrimmage, and win with a last-second touchdown. It won’t be like last year though, as I’m confident both teams will prove that they’re head and shoulders above the rest of the country.

Prediction: Ohio State 31, Indiana 27

Drew’s Pick

The two highest-ranked teams in the country face off Saturday night for the Big Ten Championship, and this game should be a good one. I think the talent of both defenses will keep this one relatively low scoring. Ohio State is the reigning national champion and has not really been tested so far this season, while Indiana has found itself in several tight games. This could be a big advantage for the Hoosiers. Fernando Mendoza has played his best football when it matters most, while we have not really seen Julian Sayin in many high-pressure spots this season. I think if the Hoosiers can keep this game close into the fourth quarter, they have a great shot at taking down the Buckeyes. I’ve gone back and forth all week, but I’m going to trust Mendoza to step up and lead the program to its first Big Ten Championship since 1967.

Prediction: Indiana 27, Ohio State 24

Kyler’s Pick

Words just simply do not do enough justice to emphasize the magnitude of this game this weekend. Big Ten Championship. No. 1 vs No. 2. First overall seed in CFP on the line. Heisman winner determined. This is the biggest game in Indiana football history and a chance to officially establish themselves as one of the top premier programs in the whole Big Ten. This is not going to be easy for Indiana and they will have to be pretty much perfect throughout the whole game. However, I do believe Indiana finds a way to get this done in Indianapolis.

Prediction: Indiana 27, Ohio State 24

Coach Griff’s Pick

Saturday’s championship matchup shapes up as a physical, low-possession battle where both defenses tighten in the red zone and every yard feels earned. Indiana’s balance, late-game resilience, and ability to win situational football give them the slight edge in a game that stays tense from kickoff to the final whistle. A key fourth-quarter stop and a methodical scoring drive help seal it.

Prediction: Indiana 23, Ohio State 21

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