Indiana vs. Ohio State Is No Longer a Gimme - It’s a Clash of Champions
COLUMBUS, Ohio - When the Big Ten dropped its 2026 schedule, one matchup jumped off the page - and no, it wasn’t Michigan-Ohio State. It was Ohio State heading to Bloomington on October 17 to face Indiana. Let that sink in for a second.
What used to be a routine win for the Buckeyes has become a marquee showdown between the last two national champions. A game that once barely moved the needle is now a potential top-five matchup with real College Football Playoff implications. If you’re still thinking of Indiana as a Big Ten doormat, it’s time to recalibrate.
This game is more than just a rematch of last year’s Big Ten Championship. It’s a statement about how quickly the college football hierarchy can shift - and how Indiana, of all programs, has muscled its way into the national spotlight.
The timing of the game is key. Mid-October means both teams will have had five or six weeks to settle into their identities.
For Indiana, that means breaking in a new quarterback following the departure of Fernando Mendoza. For Ohio State, it’s about integrating new pieces while maintaining the level of dominance fans have come to expect.
But make no mistake - this isn’t just about schemes and depth charts. It’s about respect. And Indiana has earned it.
Just a few years ago, suggesting Indiana would be one of Ohio State’s toughest road tests would’ve drawn laughs. Not anymore.
After a stunning national title run, the Hoosiers are no longer the underdog story - they’re a legitimate power. And the Buckeyes know it.
Indiana’s rise has been fueled by savvy portal pickups and a culture shift that’s turned Bloomington into a real football destination. The Hoosiers aren’t just showing up - they’re showing out. And when Ohio State rolls into Memorial Stadium, they’ll be walking into a far different atmosphere than years past.
For a long time, Indiana home games against the Buckeyes were sellouts - but mostly because of the sea of scarlet in the stands. In 2026, expect a packed house filled with Hoosier fans who now have every reason to believe.
This game isn’t just about two teams with shiny trophies. It’s about what happens when a program like Indiana refuses to stay in its lane. It’s about a new Big Ten, where the old assumptions no longer apply.
October 17 is circled for a reason. It’s not just another stop on Ohio State’s road to the postseason. It’s a collision course between two programs that have redefined themselves - and possibly the conference - in the span of just a few seasons.
Strap in. Indiana vs.
Ohio State is no longer a footnote. It’s a headline.