Ryan Day’s Ohio State Buckeyes are built for the long haul. That’s not just a nod to their blue-chip recruiting classes or their perennial spot in the College Football Playoff conversation - it’s a reflection of a program that’s found a way to evolve without losing its identity. And while Indiana may have just shocked the college football world with a national championship run, the question now is whether that was a one-time miracle or the start of something sustainable.
Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers pulled off what many considered impossible. In just two years, they went from Big Ten afterthought to CFP champions.
That’s the kind of turnaround that gets remembered - and scrutinized. Because as impressive as it was, there’s a real debate about whether it’s replicable.
Was it lightning in a bottle, or is Indiana here to stay?
That’s where the contrast with Ohio State becomes so stark. Every year under Day, the Buckeyes have been in the thick of the national title hunt.
They’re not just surviving the new college football landscape - they’re adapting and thriving in it. As Stefan Krajisnik put it, they’re building on a rock-solid foundation while embracing the new realities of the sport: NIL, the transfer portal, and revenue sharing.
Recruiting rankings paint a clear picture of where each program stands in terms of talent acquisition. Ohio State sits near the top of the 2026 high school class rankings at No. 5, while Indiana is down at No.
- In the transfer portal, the gap is narrower - OSU is ahead, but Indiana is holding its own at No.
- That’s a testament to how well Cignetti and his staff have worked the portal, bringing in experienced talent to fill key roles.
But in this new era, raw recruiting numbers don’t tell the whole story. NIL has changed the game.
It’s not just about stacking five-star classes anymore - it’s about fit, opportunity, and culture. And in that department, Indiana has found a way to punch above its weight.
They’re not winning recruiting battles on paper, but they’re winning where it counts: on the field.
That said, talent still matters. Ohio State has the resources to bring in elite players year after year, and they’re not shy about using them.
But as we’ve seen across the sport, talent alone doesn’t guarantee titles. You need the right scheme, the right development, and the right leadership - and that’s where the next chapter of this story gets interesting.
Because while Ohio State has the talent edge, the coaching staff - particularly on the offensive side - still has something to prove. Arthur Smith is now tasked with running the Buckeye offense, and that’s a move that’s raised eyebrows.
If he can unlock the full potential of this roster, Ohio State could be terrifying. But if the offense sputters, even a loaded depth chart won’t be enough.
Indiana, on the other hand, doesn’t have the margin for error that Ohio State does. They’re not going to out-recruit the Buckeyes.
They’re not going to outspend them in NIL. But what they’ve shown is that with the right culture, smart coaching, and a chip on their shoulder, they can still win big.
So the question isn’t just who has the better roster. It’s who can make the most of what they’ve got.
And as we look ahead to the next few seasons in the Big Ten, that’s the battle to watch: the steady powerhouse in Columbus versus the upstart disruptor in Bloomington. One is built to last.
The other just shocked the world. Now we find out if they can do it again.