On Saturday November 23rd the second ranked 9-1 Ohio State Buckeyes hosted the 5th ranked 10-0 Indiana Hoosiers. This was the third game for Ohio State against a top 5 ranked opponent this season. This was the first high ranked opponent for Indiana in 2024. In fact, the only team that Indian beat with a winning record was Washington in week 9. Washington’s 2024 record is 6-5. This was the toughest opponent and biggest test for the undefeated Indiana football team.

Indiana did start the game with an excellent offensive drive and took a 7-0 first quarter lead. Ohio State was able to answer the score with a Will Howard to Emeka Egbuka touchdown pass of their own in the second quarter. Another Ohio State touchdown was set up late in the first half after the Indiana punter fumbled the snap and was downed inside the Indiana 10-yard line. A 4-yard TreVeyon Henderson touchdown run quickly followed the botched punt attempt. Ohio State led at halftime 14-7. Ohio State’s defense stepped up after giving up the opening drive for a touchdown and had 5 quarterback sacks for the game. Ohio State safety Caleb Downs had the play of the game in the third quarter when he returned a punt for a 79-yard touchdown. Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard threw another touchdown pass and ran for a 1-yard touchdown too. A late in the game Indiana touchdown and two-point conversion meant nothing for the game’s outcome. Ohio State completely dominated the 5th ranked team in the country by score of 38-15.

Up next for the Buckeyes is next Saturday at noon eastern in Columbus Ohio, the Buckeyes will be hosting “The Game”. That’s right, in Ohio it is officially Michigan week. And a win against that team up north will give Ohio State a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game. It would be a rematch against top ranked Oregon in Indianapolis Indiana on December 7th. Unless Michigan has something to say or do about it. Which makes next weeks rivalry game even more important.