The stakes don’t get much higher than this: undefeated Ohio State and undefeated Indiana, squaring off in the Big Ten Championship Game with the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff likely on the line. It’s a clash of heavyweights, and while the spotlight often shines brightest on quarterbacks and explosive offenses, this matchup might come down to something far less flashy - the Buckeyes' suffocating defense.
Let’s start with the numbers, because they’re jaw-dropping. Ohio State is allowing just 7.8 points per game - best in the nation.
That’s not just good, that’s historically stingy. They’re also leading the country in passing yards allowed (121.3), rank fourth in rushing defense (81.7 yards per game), and give up the fewest total yards overall (203 per game).
In an era where offenses are more explosive than ever, those numbers are a testament to just how dominant this unit has been.
Much of the credit goes to first-year defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. After years in the NFL - including a stint as head coach of the Detroit Lions and a key role in the Patriots’ dynasty as defensive coordinator - Patricia has brought a pro-level scheme and discipline to Columbus.
And it’s paying off in a big way. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza certainly took notice.
“The Ohio State defense, Coach Patricia does a fantastic job,” Mendoza said this week. “That guy is a fantastic football mind.”
Mendoza’s not just throwing out compliments, either. He knows what he’s up against - and he’s having a season worthy of the Heisman conversation.
He’s completed 72% of his passes for 2,758 yards, with 32 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Add in 243 rushing yards and six more scores on the ground, and you’ve got one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the country.
This will easily be the toughest test Ohio State’s defense has faced this season. Mendoza can beat teams with his arm and his legs, and Indiana’s offense has been humming.
But the Buckeyes have the personnel to meet the challenge head-on. Linebacker Arvell Reese and safety Caleb Downs are both likely first-rounders, and they anchor a defense that doesn’t just bend without breaking - it rarely bends at all.
If Ohio State is going to repeat as national champions, it’s this defense that’s going to carry them. The offense has firepower, no doubt, but it’s the defense that sets the tone, dictates tempo, and suffocates opponents. Against Mendoza and Indiana, they’ll need to be at their absolute best.
Saturday’s Big Ten title game isn’t just a battle for a conference crown. It’s a playoff preview, a test of elite units on both sides, and a showcase of one of the best defenses college football has seen in years. If Patricia’s group can slow down Mendoza, it’ll be hard to argue that Ohio State doesn’t deserve that top playoff seed - and maybe another shot at a national title.