Ohio State vs Indiana: Battle for the 2025 Big Ten Championship
Ohio State vs Indiana: A Historic Big
Ten Championship Clash
The 2025 Big Ten Championship will make history as the first title game in more than a decade — and just the third ever — to feature the top two ranked teams in the nation. No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Indiana are both undefeated, both playoff-bound, and both ready to battle for conference supremacy under the lights at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Two Programs, Two Stories
For Ohio State, this game represents a return to dominance. For Indiana, it’s the pinnacle of a program renaissance decades in the making. The Buckeyes (12–0) are chasing their first Big Ten title in five years, while the Hoosiers (12–0) are aiming for their first since 1967.
Head coach Curt Cignetti has guided Indiana from obscurity to national relevance in just two seasons. “A year late,” Cignetti joked after the Hoosiers clinched their spot by routing Purdue. “We’ve earned this. A Big Ten championship means an awful lot.”
Ohio State: Legacy Meets Opportunity
The Buckeyes’ football pedigree is unmatched — eight national titles, over 990 program wins, and a legacy stretching back to the 1930s. But despite their dominance, Ohio State hasn’t won a Big Ten Championship since 2020. Four straight losses to Michigan had cast doubt on their era of control — until last week’s revenge victory reignited the dynasty narrative.
All-American safety Caleb Downs summed up the mood: “We’ve put ourselves in the position we wanted. Now it’s time to finish.”
Indiana: From Underdog to Unstoppable
Indiana’s rise is one of college football’s most remarkable stories. Long labeled as the FBS’s “losingest” program, the Hoosiers have rewritten their history in 2025 — going unbeaten for the first time ever and earning national respect. Their balanced attack and resilient defense have silenced critics and energized a fan base starving for success.
“We fell short in big moments last year,” linebacker Aiden Fisher recalled. “This year, there’s no doubt. We walk in every game expecting to win.”
The Hoosiers feature one of the nation’s most efficient quarterbacks, Fernando Mendoza, whose composure and accuracy have transformed Indiana’s offense into a top-15 unit nationally. On the other sideline stands Ohio State’s Julian Sayin — another Heisman Trophy contender. Saturday’s showdown could decide college football’s most prestigious individual award.
The Coaches: Experience vs. Evolution
For Cignetti, this isn’t uncharted territory. He was part of Nick Saban’s Alabama staff during back-to-back SEC title clashes between Florida and Alabama in 2008 and 2009. He knows what it takes to win on this stage. Across the field, Ryan Day of Ohio State leads with a cool hand — but faces immense pressure to deliver after years of heartbreak in December.
Adding to the intrigue, Buckeyes offensive coordinator Brian Hartline accepted the head coaching job at South Florida earlier this week — but will remain with the team through the playoffs. “The timing isn’t ideal,” Day said, “but we’re embracing it. He’s earned this opportunity.”
Numbers That Tell the Story
- Ohio State: 12–0 overall, ranked No. 1 nationally
- Indiana: 12–0, first perfect season in program history
- Both teams: Top 15 in scoring offense, Top 3 in scoring defense
- Heisman hopefuls: Julian Sayin (OSU), Fernando Mendoza (IU)
- Game location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
Both teams have already secured College Football Playoff spots, but Saturday’s game carries massive implications for seeding — and bragging rights. The winner will likely earn a first-round bye in the new 12-team playoff format.
Book NCAA Championship Flights on TicketFlyAirMore Than a Game
The Big Ten title game caps a historic Saturday in Indiana sports. Alongside the football matchup, top-ranked Purdue hosted No. 10 Iowa State in men’s basketball, while No. 22 Indiana faced No. 6 Louisville — turning Indianapolis into the epicenter of college athletics.
But all eyes will be on Lucas Oil Stadium, where two undefeated teams, two fan bases, and two Heisman candidates collide for glory.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2025 Big Ten Championship Game?
The game will be played on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Who are the quarterbacks to watch?
Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza — both Heisman contenders and among the nation’s most efficient passers.
What’s at stake?
Beyond the Big Ten crown, the winner is expected to secure the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.