Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Indiana Hoosiers Expert Score Predictions: Top teams in the country battling for the Big Ten Championship

All eyes are on the Big Ten Championship and the battle between Julian Sayin and Fernando Mendoza.

Adam Holt, Brandon Little, Destin Adams, Tyler Forness
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The Ohio State Buckeyes needed a win against the Michigan Wolverines to advance to the Big Ten Championship, and they did so in convincing fashion last weekend. Following the 27-9 victory, Ohio State now has the Big Ten Championship against the No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers. 

All eyes in Indianapolis will be on the Heisman Trophy-level quarterback battle between Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. Whoever takes this game and plays better could all but wrap up the prestigious trophy. Here’s how the team at A to Z Sports sees this one shaking out. 

Ohio State 27, Indiana 20

The Buckeyes are gearing up for what will be their biggest test of the season to this point. The last time these two teams met was last season, and the Buckeyes simply outmatched the Hoosiers despite the Hoosiers being highly ranked.

This time around, the Hoosiers are an improved team with a better quarterback in Fernando Mendoza. I still don’t think Indiana can match up with Ohio State when it comes to athletes, and that’ll be the difference in this game. Ryan Day has talked specifically about how bad this team wants another Big Ten Championship; they’ll grab one on Saturday. — Brandon Little, A to Z Sports Ohio State 

Indiana 23, Ohio State 20

Last season, Indiana looked truly outmatched when it squared off against Ohio State in Columbus. More importantly, Indiana didn’t look prepared to play on a stage that large. This team is different, though, and it has shown, time and time again this season, that it can deliver when its back is against the wall. Ohio State has more talent across its roster, and if this were a multi-game series, it should be the heavy favorites.

To be crowned the Big Ten champions now, though, one game will decide it all. Indiana’s playing to win its program’s first-ever Big Ten championship and to quiet all the doubters who still refuse to believe this team is for real. This game will matter more to the Hoosiers, and I think they will shock the Buckeyes and the world by getting the win in Indianapolis. — Destin Adams, A to Z Sports 

Ohio State 31, Indiana 24

This matchup has implications on more than one level. For Ohio State, it is trying to secure the top seed in the CFP, while Indiana wants to prove it can hang with the top team in the country so far this season. It is incredibly difficult to doubt the Buckeyes’ defense, considering its dominance so far.

We saw some blemishes in IU’s offense when they traveled to Penn State, so I’m interested to see how they fare this time around. Meanwhile, creating turnovers for the Hoosiers could be the way they potentially pull off an upset. Without those massive momentum shifts, I simply can’t go against Ohio State here. Give me the Buckeyes in a fun game between some of the game’s best. — Adam Holt, A to Z Sports 

Indiana 34, Ohio State 31

This is set up to be the best game of the year, and I don’t think we would have said this after their meeting last season. The Buckeyes whipped the overmatched Hoosiers, but that’s not the case this season. We know the Buckeyes have more talent and spend a lot more money on the roster.

However, the Hoosiers are better in two areas that will make the game very interesting: coaching and quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The other thing I continue to lean on is the Hoosiers’ utter confidence and fortitude. They play with their hair on fire, especially in the trenches. The Hoosier whipped the Oregon Ducks in Eugene, and, one year after head coach Curt Cignetti said they would be playing in this game, he’ll get the win in a great game. — Tyler Forness, A to Z Sports 

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