With the Big Ten Championship just days away, all eyes turn to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, where Ohio State and Indiana are set to square off in a high-stakes showdown that could shape the College Football Playoff picture. The matchup features two programs on a collision course-one a perennial powerhouse, the other a surging contender that refuses to be overlooked.
Both head coaches met with the media on Sunday, offering a preview of what’s to come. There was mutual respect in the room, but also a competitive fire that hints at just how much this game means.
Indiana’s Curt Cignetti didn’t hold back in his praise for Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, calling him “a great coach” and projecting him as a future Hall of Famer. “He’ll be one of the legends of the game someday,” Cignetti said.
But make no mistake-Cignetti isn’t just here to admire the Buckeyes. He’s here to beat them.
Indiana already faced Ohio State earlier this season, and while that game didn’t go the Hoosiers’ way, Cignetti views it as a turning point for his team. “I think that was not an enjoyable experience, but it was a necessary experience for our growth and development,” he said.
That kind of loss can either break a team or sharpen it. Indiana chose the latter.
Still, Cignetti couldn’t resist taking a light jab at the defending national champions. “Sometimes when you watch them, it’s almost like they’re holding back a little bit,” he said with a grin. Whether that’s gamesmanship or a subtle challenge remains to be seen, but it’s clear Indiana isn’t walking into this game intimidated.
And they shouldn't be. The Hoosiers are riding a 12-win season and a wave of momentum that’s turned heads across the country. But they’ll need every ounce of that energy to keep pace with a Buckeye offense that’s as explosive as any in the nation.
At the heart of that attack is quarterback Julian Sayin, who’s taken over the reins from former national title winner Will Howard and hasn’t missed a beat. “He’s a young quarterback, but he doesn’t play like he’s young,” Cignetti said. Sayin’s poise, decision-making, and arm talent have elevated an already dangerous offense into something even more lethal.
And then there’s the receiving corps-Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith. That duo has been nothing short of electric, stretching defenses and creating matchup nightmares week after week.
Smith, in particular, has drawn high praise from Cignetti. “He’s a sensational football player,” he said, already eyeing Smith’s NFL potential despite the wideout being just a sophomore.
Cignetti didn’t sugarcoat the challenge ahead. “They’re super explosive,” he said of the Buckeyes.
“Capable of scoring from anywhere on the field at any time.” It’s not just coach-speak-it’s the reality of facing a team that’s loaded at nearly every position.
For Ohio State, this marks their first trip back to the Big Ten title game since 2020. For Indiana, it’s a chance to keep a dream season alive and stake their claim as one of the nation’s elite. Both teams have everything to play for, and depending on how the playoff seedings shake out, this might not be the last time we see these two programs clash this postseason.
Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m., and the stakes couldn’t be higher. One team will leave Lucas Oil Stadium with a Big Ten title-and a ticket to the College Football Playoff. The other will be left wondering what could have been.