The Indiana Hoosiers made a grand entrance to the Big Ten Championship Game against the Ohio State Buckeyes, receiving an INDYCAR escort from their campus in Bloomington to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. This matchup features the No. 2-ranked Hoosiers taking on the undefeated No. 1-ranked Buckeyes on March 15, 2024.
Indiana, currently boasting a perfect record of 12-0, has enjoyed a historic season. Under head coach Curt Cignetti, the team has set a new program record for wins in a single season, following a successful 2023 campaign where they achieved an 11-2 record and reached the College Football Playoff for the first time in history.
Star Players Leading the Hoosiers
At the helm of Indiana’s offense is quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who is a strong contender for the 2025 Heisman Trophy. Mendoza has thrown for 2,758 passing yards, leading the Big Ten with 32 passing touchdowns and a passer rating of 183.7. His completion rate stands at an impressive 72%, and he has also contributed 243 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns this season.
The Hoosiers’ running backs, including Roman Hemby, Kaelon Black, and Khobie Martin, have combined for 2,048 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns. Wide receivers Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt have made significant impacts, combining for 106 receptions and 1,454 receiving yards, with both players tied for a Big Ten-high of 11 receiving touchdowns.
Defensive Strengths and Historical Context
Indiana’s defense has also played a crucial role in their success. Defensive back Louis Moore leads the conference with five interceptions, while teammate Amare Ferrell follows closely with four. The defensive line, featuring Stephen Daley, has shown strength with 4.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss. Linebacker Rolijah Hardy has contributed a team-high of seven sacks and a total of 76 combined tackles.
Historically, the Hoosiers have struggled against the Buckeyes. Ohio State holds an all-time record of 81-12-5 against Indiana and has won the last 30 matchups, with the last Indiana victory occurring in 1988. The two teams faced each other last season, where Ohio State secured a 38-15 victory.
Fans can catch the much-anticipated Big Ten Championship Game live on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app. Pre-game coverage will begin with the ‘Big Noon Kickoff’ crew live at 6:30 p.m. ET.
