COLUMBUS – After a week off, fifth-ranked Ohio State plays at Indiana on Saturday in one of the top games in the Big Ten.
(5) OHIO STATE (5-1, 3-0 Big 10) at Indiana (2-4, 0-3)
Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Ind.; Oct. 23 (7:30 p.m./ABC)
The Buckeyes have the No. 1 offense in the country and their defense is picking up steam
The Hoosiers have had the showdown against Ohio State circled on their calendar for over a year, since they nearly knocked off the Buckeyes when both teams were ranked in the AP Top Ten.
Ohio State led at one point 35-7 and held on for a 42-35 win after an Indiana rally led by quarterback Michael Penix, who threw for 491 yards and 5 touchdowns. Penix is not expected to play after suffering a shoulder injury in an Oct. 2 loss to Penn State and sitting out last week’s 20-15 loss to Michigan State.
This is the game the Hoosiers thought could cement the program’s turnaround and earn a ticket to the Big Ten title game.
But after four straight losses to ranked opponents, they have adjusted their goals.
Now, they’re just trying to get the season back on track by snapping a 25-game losing streak to the Buckeyes.