Ohio State and Indiana face off in top-5 Big Ten matchup

No. 4/5 Ohio State is set to face No. 5/4 Indiana in a high-stakes Big Ten matchup on October 17, 2026, at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. This game marks the first top-5 matchup in the history of the venue.

Indiana enters the contest with a 22-game winning streak, the longest national streak since Georgia’s run from 2021-23. Head coach Curt Cignetti has reached 30 wins in his first 32 games as a Power 4 coach, a feat matched only by Larry Coker and Gil Dobie. The Hoosiers are currently one of nine remaining undefeated FBS teams.

Ohio State, coming off a 45-16 win over Maryland, is considered a decisive favorite due to superior athleticism and key players like Jeremiah Smith. The winner of this matchup will gain a significant advantage in the race for the Big Ten title and a potential spot in the College Football Playoff.