Listen up, because Saturday at noon E.T. on FOX, history could get rewritten! If No. 5 Indiana beats No. 4 Ohio State in Bloomington, it’s gonna be the first time the Hoosiers have pulled off back-to-back wins against the Buckeyes since way back in 1987 and 1988. Remember last December’s Big Ten Championship Game? Indiana’s 13-10 victory in that one wasn’t just huge, it snapped a mind-boggling 30-game losing streak to Ohio State. This ain’t just another game, folks, this is a statement.
A Blast From The Past: When History Rhymed
You gotta look back to understand how massive this potential back-to-back truly is. Back on October 10, 1987, Bill Mallory’s Hoosiers rolled into Ohio Stadium and stunned No. 9 Ohio State. That was the program’s first win over the Buckeyes since a lifetime ago in 1951. They went into halftime tied 10-10, then Indiana’s defense just put the clamps on, holding Ohio State to a measly 10 rushing yards in the second half and forcing three turnovers without committing a single one themselves. Quarterback Dave Schnell was on fire, going 15-of-23 for 200 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Anthony Thompson tore it up for 126 yards. Ohio State coach Earle Bruce called that day “the darkest day” in program history, and honestly, he got fired later that season. Ouch.
Then, just one year later, on October 8, 1988, Indiana did it again! This time at Memorial Stadium against Ohio State in John Cooper’s first season after replacing Bruce. Anthony Thompson was an absolute beast, rushing for 190 yards and a ridiculous four touchdowns, all in the first half! Their defense kept the pressure on, intercepting four passes. That 34-point margin? That’s still Indiana’s largest win in the series, and it remains their last home win against Ohio State. Thompson wasn’t just good, he was Big Ten Player of the Year that season, leading Indiana to an 8-3-1 record and a Liberty Bowl win over South Carolina. Imagine replicating that kind of magic!
Record Books Are Getting Rewritten in Bloomington
Okay, forget history for a sec, let’s talk about *right now*. Saturday isn’t just a big game, it’s literally monumental. This is the first top-five matchup in the history of Memorial Stadium, which opened all the way back in 1960. Think about that for a second.
And the Hoosiers? They are on an absolute tear. We’re talking a 22-game winning streak. That’s the longest in the FBS since Georgia racked up 29 straight from 2021-23. A win on Saturday would make it 23, matching Ohio State’s own streak from 2014 and 2015. On top of that, they’ve won 19 straight at home, which is a program record and the longest active home streak in the entire FBS. The only other time Indiana had a double-digit home streak? That was 10 games, happening exactly during those 1987 and 1988 seasons. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
They’re just taking care of the damn ball! Indiana has won or tied the turnover battle in 30 straight games, which is the most in the FBS since at least 1995. That’s insane. And you gotta give credit where it’s due: Curt Cignetti’s resume at Indiana is just flat-out incredible. He’s 33-2 overall, 19-1 in Big Ten play, and a perfect 19-0 at home. His record against Ohio State stands at 1-1, with a 38-15 loss in 2024 before last year’s monumental win. This guy knows how to win.
Buckeyes Have History, But This Indiana Team Hits Different
Look, Ryan Day still has a strong record against Indiana at 6-1. Ohio State has also outscored the Hoosiers 274-97 in those seven games. That’s a serious edge. Plus, going on the road for a top-five matchup isn’t easy, and Ohio State’s all-time road record in those games is 5-8-1. They can be vulnerable.
And what about their star? Jeremiah Smith. Get this: he’s never scored against Indiana! He had three catches for 34 yards in 2024 and eight for 144 last December, but no trips to the end zone. He’s only two touchdown catches away from breaking the Big Ten career record, and one more 100-yard game would give him the most in Ohio State history, passing Marvin Harrison Jr. You know he’s going to be hungry for those records, especially against a team that’s kept him out of the end zone.
This Saturday is absolutely massive. Can Indiana make history with another back-to-back win against Ohio State, pushing their incredible winning streak to 23 games? Or will Ohio State remind everyone why they’ve dominated the series for so long? You seriously don’t want to miss a single play from Bloomington. Get ready for some fireworks!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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