Overview
- No. 4 Indiana will host No. 5 Ohio State at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington on Saturday, Oct. 17 with a noon ET kickoff televised on FOX.
- Indiana enters 6-0 as the defending national champion riding a 22-game win streak and starting TCU transfer Josh Hoover, who has 1,364 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and no interceptions through six games.
- Ohio State arrives intent on revenge after last season’s Big Ten title loss and leans on Heisman-contending receiver Jeremiah Smith and starter Julian Sayin, with the Buckeyes naming a depth chart that outlines their game plan.
- Analysts warn Indiana’s résumé has open questions because of an easier nonconference slate, a sharp drop in takeaways and spotty tackling and coverage that could test its pass defense against Smith and Ohio State’s passing attack.
- The matchup has driven heavy ticket demand and steep field-level prices and carries practical stakes because a win would give the victor the clearer inside track to the Big Ten Championship in Indianapolis.