Saturday Marks the Rubber Match Between Buckeyes' Ryan Day and Indiana's Curt Cignetti

Ohio State and Indiana has been the best budding rivalry in all of college football between two of the most unsuspecting characters in the sport.

I think that it is important that the Indiana story doesn't get swept under the rug because it is truly one of the craziest stories in all of sports history. In just two years, they went from the worst program in the country to the first one to complete a perfect 16-0 record. 

On the way, they have crossed paths with the Buckeyes twice. The first one in 2024 was a game that served as a barometer to learn exactly what the Hoosiers were going to be.

Were they legit, legit, or did they still have some room to grow? The answer was quite clear. The Buckeyes pulled away from them at the end thanks to a Caleb Downs punt return to beat the Hoosiers 38-15. 

The Buckeyes scored 24 second-half points, but to win, the Hoosiers showed at least a little bit within the game to prove to themselves at least that they could run with the big boys. 

Fast forward about 13 months from their first matchup, it was two heavyweight fighters staring down each other for a chance to win the Big Ten and go to the Rose Bowl.

The game started with Caden Curry's hit stick against Fernando Mendoza that tapped him out for just a couple of plays before he went on to lead the Hoosiers to a tough victory against the Buckeyes.

It was clear in that game that those were two of the very best teams in the country and that they would very likely meet again. 

Well, that third matchup never materialized, but it will happen this year.

This upcoming game on Saturday is very significant for the season. For Ohio State, a win solidifies them as one of the three best teams in America. They are already in the conversation, but a win would cement them.

A close loss would continue them on that conversation, but people would have a very fair gripe about the Buckeyes team and their inability to beat the best teams.

A blowout loss would start quite the conversation around this team. 

I do not think the ladder scenario is realistic at all. This is a game that the Buckeyes will either win or lose close; a blowout in favor of Indiana doesn't exist.

Now, a blowout in favor of Ohio State is on the table. More on that later.

The winner of the game on Saturday gets bragging rights over the other for at least the regular season and puts themselves on the inside track to the College Football Playoffs.