College football fans, brace yourselves for a showdown that could define this season! As Week 11 kicks off, the question on everyone’s mind is: Who’s the real powerhouse—Ohio State or Indiana? With both teams dominating their campaigns, ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit recently weighed in on the debate, and his take might surprise you—or maybe not. But here’s where it gets controversial: Herbstreit gives Ohio State the edge, but not by much. Let’s dive into why this matters and what it means for the Big Ten Championship.
As we stand, No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Indiana, and No. 3 Texas A&M are the undisputed titans of college football. While Ohio State and Indiana won’t face off in the regular season, their paths seem destined to collide in the Big Ten Championship Game. Both teams have been nothing short of dominant, leaving opponents in the dust with their relentless performances. But which one truly reigns supreme?
On The Ryen Russillo Show, Herbstreit shared his thoughts, giving Ohio State a slight advantage on a neutral field. ‘Indiana’s real,’ he emphasized, praising their consistency at the line of scrimmage and their straightforward, bruising style of play. ‘They’re not a gimmicky offense,’ he noted, highlighting their ability to pound opponents into submission on both sides of the ball. And this is the part most people miss: Indiana’s success isn’t just a fluke—they’ve proven themselves against top-tier teams like No. 3 Oregon, No. 9 Illinois, and Iowa, sitting pretty at 9-0 (6-0).
But Ohio State isn’t far behind. The Buckeyes, at 8-0 (5-0), have also steamrolled their competition, with impressive wins over No. 1 Texas, No. 17 Illinois, and Washington. Their quarterback, Julian Sayin, has been a revelation, steadily improving each week and surrounded by NFL-caliber receivers. Herbstreit predicts a three or four-point advantage for Ohio State, but is that enough to secure a victory?
Here’s the kicker: Of the 17 combined games these two teams have played, only two have been close. Eight of those games were blowouts, with margins of 30-plus points. Both teams have been unstoppable, but history looms large. Last season, Indiana started 10-0 before falling to Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship. Will this year be different? Or will the Buckeyes repeat their dominance?
Is Herbstreit right to favor Ohio State, or is Indiana’s consistency enough to dethrone the reigning champs? Let’s not forget the wildcard: Texas A&M is still in the mix, but the Ohio State-Indiana matchup feels inevitable. As we count down the weeks to the Big Ten Championship, one thing’s for sure: this clash will be epic. But what do you think? Are the Buckeyes the clear favorites, or is Indiana ready to flip the script? Sound off in the comments—this debate is far from over!
