No. 2 Ohio State Dominates No. 5 Indiana, Moves Closer to Big Ten Title Rematch with No. 1 Oregon

Eric Boggs November 23, 2024

Ohio State delivered a commanding performance on Saturday, dismantling Indiana 38-15 at Ohio Stadium. The win not only solidified the Buckeyes’ College Football Playoff aspirations but also underscored their readiness for a potential Big Ten Championship rematch with No. 1 Oregon.

The game hinged on critical mistakes from Indiana’s special teams, which the Buckeyes exploited to score 31 unanswered points. A dropped punt snap by Indiana’s James Evans late in the second quarter set up Ohio State at the Hoosiers’ 7-yard line. TreVeyon Henderson capitalized three plays later, giving Ohio State a 14-7 lead.

Momentum swung definitively at the start of the third quarter. After Indiana’s offense stalled with a quick three-and-out, Evans managed to get the punt off, but Ohio State’s Caleb Downs fielded it off a bounce and returned it 79 yards for a touchdown. The play extended the Buckeyes’ lead to 21-7, effectively crushing Indiana’s hopes for an upset.

Ohio State’s defense then took over, pressuring Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke relentlessly. Rourke, who started strong with 32 yards on Indiana’s opening drive, finished with a meager 67 passing yards on 8-of-18 completions. The Hoosiers’ offense managed just 151 total yards, and Rourke was sacked five times.

Indiana briefly showed promise in the first quarter, marching downfield to take an early 7-0 lead and stopping Ohio State on fourth down in the red zone. But the Hoosiers unraveled under consistent defensive pressure, much like they had against Michigan’s defensive front two weeks earlier.

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard was efficient, completing 22 of 26 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns. Henderson added another score late but intentionally went down at the 1-yard line to allow Ohio State to run out the clock, a gesture that some saw as rubbing salt in the wound.

The win leaves Ohio State (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten) one step closer to a rematch with Oregon, the only team to defeat them this season in a thrilling 32-31 game on October 12. With a victory over Michigan next week, the Buckeyes would secure their spot in the Big Ten title game.

For Indiana (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten), the loss complicates its postseason path. The Hoosiers need both Ohio State and Penn State to lose next week to have any chance of reaching the conference championship. Even then, Indiana’s weak strength of schedule—a sticking point in playoff discussions—could hinder its CFP hopes.

The Hoosiers had entered the game outscoring opponents by an average margin of 44-14, but their dominance came against teams with losing records. Saturday’s loss exposed vulnerabilities, especially on offense and special teams.

Indiana coach Curt Cignetti had brashly defended his team’s résumé earlier in the week, urging critics to “Google us” during a podcast appearance. Ohio State responded on and off the field, with Howard mocking the comment by shouting, “Google me!” after a touchdown and the stadium scoreboard displaying a playful jab: “Buckeyes win?? Google it!”

As the rankings await an update on Tuesday, Indiana’s playoff positioning is uncertain. The Hoosiers have been ranked behind several one-loss teams due to their soft schedule, and Saturday’s loss could cause further slippage. An 11-1 record with a win over Purdue next week might still keep Indiana in playoff contention, but their fate is now in the hands of the committee.

Ohio State, meanwhile, has no time to revel in its triumph. The stakes will only grow higher as the Buckeyes prepare for their season-defining clash with archrival Michigan in Week 14.