Ohio State’s week of heavy lifting opens with a rematch that carries plenty of attention, and the Buckeyes are walking straight into a tough one in Bloomington. Indiana is the same opponent that knocked off the then No.
1 Buckeyes in last year’s Big Ten Championship game before rolling into a College Football Playoff national championship. Ohio State gets the Hoosiers again in Week 7 of the 2026 college football season.
The matchup comes with some real built-in tension, even if Indiana has had a shakier start this season. The Hoosiers have stumbled against Northwestern and Nebraska, but that has not turned this into an easy spot for Ohio State. Indiana is still well coached and still brings one of the better pass-rush defenses in the country, which is a problem for a Buckeyes offensive line that will be without All-Conference performer Austin Siereveld.
If you’re looking to watch it, Ohio State-Indiana will air nationally on Fox, with Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt on the call from Memorial Stadium. Jenny Taft and Tom Rinaldi will report from the sidelines. Streaming options include FuboTV, which may offer a free trial to new subscribers.
Kickoff is set for Noon ET from Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana.
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, Oct. 16
Pete Fiutak of College Football News has Ohio State taking it 26-20. His read is that both teams are “national championship-level good,” but still carrying a “Prove It” factor.
He pointed to Indiana’s poise in the comeback win over Nebraska and the way it held firm when Northwestern pushed in the second half. He also noted Ohio State’s uneven moments, including the fourth quarter against Texas, while praising the Buckeyes’ nearly flawless showing against Iowa.
Fiutak expects Curt Cignetti to keep the game tight with a smart plan, even if Ohio State looks in control at times. He wrote that a missed field goal or an empty drive could make it difficult for the Buckeyes to put the game away. And he added: “And then Josh Hoover will pick the wrong time to throw his first interception of the season.”
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