An undefeated No. 5 Indiana team will face its biggest challenge yet as the Hoosiers welcome the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes to Bloomington this Saturday. With potential Big Ten Championship implications and a chance for Ohio State to avenge last year's 13-10 conference championship loss, this top-five matchup could be one of the biggest games of the college football season.
Both teams enter Saturday with star-studded rosters, but the winner could come down to which of these stars deliver when the lights shine brightest.
Ohio State's passing game will be one of the biggest storylines entering Saturday's matchup. Quarterback Julian Sayin has thrown for 1,772 yards and 17 touchdowns, while Heisman favorite receiver Jeremiah Smith has 916 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. Smith's ability to make explosive plays could challenge Indiana's secondary, but Sayin must find time to throw against one of the nation's most disruptive defensive fronts.
Indiana has its own offensive weapons in quarterback Josh Hoover and receivers Nick Marsh and Charlie Becker. Hoover has thrown 17 touchdown passes without an interception, while Marsh and Becker have combined for more than 1,000 receiving yards. Their production gives Indiana multiple passing options and could force Ohio State's defense to cover the entire field.
Indiana's pass rush could be the deciding factor. The Hoosiers have recorded 20 sacks through six games, with Stephen Daley and Tobi Osunsanmi leading the team with five sacks apiece. Ohio State surrendered five sacks in its Big Ten Championship loss to Indiana last season. If the Buckeyes cannot protect Sayin, the Hoosiers could once again disrupt the passing game and create opportunities for a major upset.
More than conference championship implications are at stake this weekend. For Indiana, this is their first true test of the season. With a 5-0 record to this point, their most notable wins are at home against No. 25 Northwestern and on the road against 4-1 Nebraska. The Hoosiers also look to extend their 22-game win streak, the longest active win streak in the country. They also aim to extend their 19-game home winning streak, the longest in the nation.
The Buckeyes, meanwhile, are looking to prove they are still a force to be reckoned with. Even after the Week 2 loss to Texas on the road, Ohio State hasn't skipped a beat and still looks like a national title contender. Their biggest win came on the road against the Iowa Hawkeyes in Week 5.
The Ohio State Buckeyes will take on the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on Saturday at Noon ET on Fox.