Indiana vs. Ohio State is arguably the biggest game in the history of Hoosier football. So what are the College Football Playoff implications from this Big Ten showdown?
Indiana football finds itself on the brink of history. In a season no one saw coming, the Hoosiers remain one of just two unbeaten teams in the Big Ten as they prepare for their most daunting test yet: a showdown with Ohio State on Saturday at noon ET, headlining Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff.
Just weeks ago, this narrative seemed unimaginable. But under coach Curt Cignetti, Indiana has transformed from the remnants of the Tom Allen era into a program rewriting its own story. With a perfect 10-0 record, the Hoosiers sit at No. 5 in the playoff projections, with their destiny firmly in their hands.
"I believe their front seven will give Ohio State's offensive line all they want… I think Indiana wins this game. This moment's not gonna be too big for em."
🗣️ @AaronTaylorCFB is taking @IndianaFootball over the Buckeyes pic.twitter.com/uPXxC7dnBa
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) November 19, 2024
However, Saturday’s clash in Columbus carries weight beyond Indiana’s dreams. Ohio State, riding a 28-game win streak against the Hoosiers, also has playoff aspirations and Big Ten title hopes on the line. A win for the Buckeyes keeps them securely in the postseason picture, setting up a potential rematch with Oregon. But an Indiana upset? That would entirely reshape the playoff race, ensuring the Hoosiers a berth while plunging Ohio State into uncertainty.
Even a loss might not spell doom for Indiana—if it’s close. But a blowout defeat? That could leave the Hoosiers as the odd team out in a razor-thin playoff race. On Saturday, both programs’ stakes are nothing less than seismic as tradition and transformation collide on the sport’s biggest stage.
How Could Indiana vs. Ohio State Shakeup the Big Ten?
As we enter Week 13, the Big Ten stands poised to make history, potentially sending four teams—Oregon, Ohio State, Penn State, and Indiana—to the College Football Playoff. Oregon, unbeaten at 11-0, seems destined for the postseason, with only Washington and the Big Ten Championship standing in its way. But for the others, the path is far from certain.
For 10-0 Indiana, the path is clear: one more win likely secures a place in the College Football Playoff. A victory over Ohio State would be monumental, but even with a loss, the Hoosiers could remain in contention—provided the defeat is close, and their rivalry game against a struggling Purdue team ends in triumph. For Ohio State, the margin for error is razor-thin. The Buckeyes must win at least one of their final two games to reach 10-2. A loss to either Indiana or Michigan leaves their hopes hanging by a thread, while a 9-3 record would eliminate them entirely.
Is Indiana a lovable Cinderella or a College Football Playoff nuisance? 🤔
"An 11-1 Indiana with no quality wins may get in over a team like Tennessee. Rage." –@AriWasserman
Story: https://t.co/w8IYVAVqwE pic.twitter.com/XkZnAnE9YR
— On3 (@On3sports) November 20, 2024
Penn State’s task is equally unforgiving. Losses to either Minnesota or Maryland would derail any postseason aspirations, as their case hinges on finishing strong. Penn State’s quality wins are over Illinois, Wisconsin, and USC. And those aren’t very quality.
With Oregon already defeating Ohio State and Ohio State toppling Penn State earlier in the year, the stakes for Indiana vs. Ohio State couldn’t be higher. It’s the last marquee Big Ten matchup before the conference title game, a showdown that will ripple across the playoff landscape.
An Ohio State win over Indiana, assuming they take care of a down Michigan squad, likely sets up a rematch with Oregon in the Big Ten title game. Penn State’s path to a title game appearance requires either an Indiana win over Ohio State and a shocking loss to Purdue or Ohio State dropping one of its two remaining games.
This is a wild two-week stretch coming in the Big Ten.
How Could Indiana vs. Ohio State Impact the Rest of the College Football Playoff?
For Indiana, the stakes are monumental. An upset win over Ohio State, coupled with a victory against Purdue, would cap an undefeated regular season and all but guarantee a playoff berth. A loss to the Buckeyes, however, complicates matters. Indiana would then need to handle Purdue and hope Michigan defeats Ohio State, setting up a potential backdoor entry depending on how the rankings shake out.
Last week, Indiana sat at No. 5 in the College Football Playoff rankings but dropped to No. 7 due to the automatic qualifier spots. A loss would likely place Indiana behind teams like Notre Dame, Alabama, Ole Miss, and Georgia—each with compelling but imperfect resumes. Notre Dame, with one bad loss but multiple quality wins, could leapfrog the Hoosiers. Meanwhile, SEC heavyweights Georgia, Alabama, and Ole Miss carry two losses each but boast marquee victories against some of the top teams in the nation that strengthen their cases.
Indiana has literally popped up outta nowhere..@CCignettiIU just signed the biggest deal a College Football Coach has EVER signed in the state of Indiana for good reason..
It has become a football campus #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/aUPEbH5DFY
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 19, 2024
Comparing Indiana’s resume to Miami’s or others’ would create an even murkier scenario, underscoring just how chaotic the playoff picture could become. For now, Indiana’s dreams hinge on navigating one of the most pressure-packed two-week stretches in conference history.
What really matters is how they compete against the Buckeyes. A blowout loss spells doom. A close loss on the road against the N0. 2 in the country will sting slightly less. A win gets them in, barring a massive upset loss to Purdue. Only time will reveal if their storybook season finds its perfect ending—or a bittersweet twist.
