COLUMBUS, Ohio – No. 2 Ohio State beat No. 5 Indiana 38-15 in a top-five Big Ten showdown at Ohio Stadium on Saturday that gave clarity to the Big Ten championship picture.
Ohio State (10-1, 7-1) can clinch a spot in the Big Ten championship game with a victory against Michigan on Rivalry Week. Indiana (10-1, 7-1) falls into the at-large College Football Playoff pool.
Those were the immediate consequences of a game where the Buckeyes reminded the Hoosiers of their Big Ten championship pedigree in a game where the defense was dominant and Will Howard (22-for-26, 201 yards, 2 TDs) continued his efficient play at quarterback.
Indiana is without a doubt a success story under first-year coach Curt Cignetti, but the Hoosiers aren't a Big Ten championship contender yet. What about the College Football Playoff? That is a discussion that will dominate the next two weeks.
How Ohio State beat Indiana in Big Ten game with CFP implications
The Hoosiers had a fast start in The Shoe. Indiana forced a three-and-out on the first series, then marched 70 yards on 11 plays for the game's first touchdown. Quarterback Kurtis Rourke made two clutch third-down conversion throws, and Ty Son Lawton scored on a two-yard TD run with 6:52 left in the first quarter for a 7-0 lead.
The Hoosiers stuffed Ohio State running back on a fourth-and-1 from the 2-yard line when Tyrique Tucker stopped Quinshon Judkins for no gain, but Indiana struggled from there.
Howard – who was 15 of 17 for 106 yards, one TD and one interception in the first half – hit Emeka Egbuka for an 11-yard TD with 7:22 left in the first half to tie the score. Other than a red-zone-interception on a dropped pass, Howard was on point in the first half.
Ohio State's defense took over in the second quarter. The Buckeyes had three sacks on Rourke, and Indiana had minus-5 yards on 18 plays after the opening drive. Punter James Evans dropped a snap on a punt with 1:41 left in the half, which Ohio State converted into a 4-yard TD run and a 14-7 lead at halftime.
The Buckeyes were dominant from there. Caleb Downs returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown – the Buckeyes' first punt return touchdown since Jalin Marshall ran one back against Indiana on Nov. 22, 2014. Howard added a 1-yard TD pass to Jelani Thurman, and that extended the lead to 28-7 through three quarters.
Jayden Fielding added a 45-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to extend Ohio State's lead to 31-7.
Big Ten standings
Here is a look at the four teams in the Big Ten standings still in College Football Playoff contention:
| SCHOOL | BIG TEN | OVERALL | PF | PA |
| Oregon | 8-0 | 11-0 | 373 | 173 |
| Ohio State | 7-1 | 10-1 | 416 | 118 |
| Indiana | 7-1 | 10-1 | 455 | 176 |
| Penn State | 6-1 | 9-1 | 330 | 136 |
Breaking down Big Ten playoff contenders
Here is a look at the Big Ten teams and where they stand after Week 14:
Oregon (11-0, 8-0)
The Ducks have clinched a spot in the Big Ten championship game. Oregon has a bye week to prepare for Washington, and Oregon will retain the top spot in the College Football Playoff rankings heading into Rivalry Week.
Ohio State (10-1, 7-1)
Ohio State is one step closer to the Big Ten championship game. Even with a loss to Michigan, Ohio State likely stays in the College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes have won two of three games against top-five opponents under Ryan Day this season, and now the opportunity to end a three-game losing streak to the Wolverines is here.
Penn State (10-1, 7-1)
The Nittany Lions beat Minnesota 26-25 and have a chance to solidify their standing as the third Big Ten playoff team in the rankings with a victory against Maryland in Week 14. If Penn State wins out and the Buckeyes lose to Michigan, then that opens the door for the Nittany Lions to make the Big Ten championship game.
Indiana (10-1, 7-1)
The Hoosiers lost their marquee Big Ten matchup and likely will fall to fourth in the pecking order if Penn State beats Minnesota on Saturday. Is this too much weight on one result against a national championship contender when it comes to the College Football Playoff? That is already an exhausting argument with the two-loss SEC bubble teams trying to squeeze in.
