The Big Ten championship game features two undefeated teams, Ohio State and Indiana, both aiming to protect their perfect records and strengthen their positions in the College Football Playoff. The victors are likely to secure the top playoff spot, a smoother road to the championship game, and a shot at a national title.
Ohio State and Indiana To Square Off in Monumental Battle for the Big Ten Championship
After defeating their rivals, Michigan and Purdue, Ohio State and Indiana will meet in Saturday’s Big Ten championship. The winner remains unbeaten and prepares for the College Football Playoff.
On Saturday, December 6, the two teams will take the field at 8 p.m. Central, live from the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. FOX will carry the game live.
It’s been a minute, huh? 😎 pic.twitter.com/bg3xBMQBOI
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 30, 2025
Ohio State (12-0) looks to defend its national title. However, this year’s Buckeyes are noticeably different. Last year’s quarterback, Will Howard, is now a backup for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins currently start for the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns, respectively. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka leads the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with six receiving touchdowns.
Despite those losses, the Buckeyes have not missed a beat. Julian Sayin, in his first full year as a starter, led FBS with a 78.9% completion rate and a 6:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Freshman running back Bo Jackson led the team with 952 yards, while senior CJ Donaldson scored ten touchdowns as the top short-yardage option.
Sophomore Jeremiah Smith led the Big Ten with 11 receiving touchdowns. Pass rushers Arvell Reese and Caden Curry combined for 15.5 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss, bolstering the top-rated scoring defense in FBS, which allows just 7.8 points per game.
Indiana, under second-year head coach Curt Cignetti, is considered one of the most complete teams in FBS, ranking in the top 5 for both scoring and total offense. Transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza diversifies the passing game, with three receivers catching more than 30 passes and five touchdowns each. The team sits atop the PFSN Offense Impact Rankings, which measure offensive production.
This challenges defenses, a fact reflected on the scoreboard. Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt each led the Big Ten with 11 touchdowns.
The Hoosiers play aggressively on defense, effectively stopping the run and allowing just 10.9 points per game. With leaders like Stephan Daley, Isaiah Jones, and Rolijah Hardy, Indiana finished third nationally with 103 tackles for loss. Offensive lines can’t focus on one threat, as the Hoosiers generate pressure from multiple directions.
With both teams aiming to dominate on offense and defense, which one will come out on top and cement its status as the team to beat in the College Football Playoff?
