IU takes center stage as Indy hosts the Big Ten's biggest game
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The Hoosiers are looking to swap the bucket for a Big Ten trophy and recreate this scene in Lucas Oil Stadium. Photo: Justin Casterline/Getty Images
This weekend's Big Ten championship football game in Indy will pit No. 2 Indiana University against its biggest possible opponent, No. 1 Ohio State.
Why it matters: A win over the defending national champions would keep IU's undefeated season intact as the Hoosiers chase their first-ever national title.
State of play: IU comes into the game after demolishing the Purdue Boilermakers last Saturday to win the Old Oaken Bucket Game in West Lafayette.
- The Buckeyes, also undefeated, are riding the high of putting down their storied rivals the No. 15 Michigan Wolverines for the first time since 2019.
Flashback: The last time No. 1 and No. 2 met in a conference championship game was in 2009, when the University of Alabama beat the University of Florida to win the SEC championship.
- Fun fact: IU coach Curt Cignetti was a member of Alabama's coaching staff at the time.
Reality check: Indiana hasn't beaten Ohio State since 1988 and trails the all-time series 81-12-5.
The intrigue: Saturday will be Indiana's first appearance in the Big Ten championship game and the first time Indiana has won a share of the Big Ten regular-season championship since 1967.
- Last year, Cignetti criticized the Big Ten's revamped tiebreaker system, comparing it to a coin flip, after it resulted in the Hoosiers being snubbed from the game in favor of Penn State despite both teams having the same overall and conference records.
What he's saying: Cignetti and company are leaving the past in the past, including last season's loss to the Buckeyes in Columbus.
- "We recognize the challenge. We respect Ohio State," he said Monday. "Not pleased with the way we played last year. We went there, our first real big test on a national level … but this is a different team."
Zoom in: Two days of events start with a fan fest at the Indiana Convention Center, and culminate with the title game at Lucas Oil Stadium.
- The Big Ten Fan Fest opens at 3pm Friday. Tickets for the event start at $16 for adults and $10 for kids 3–12. Kids 2 and younger get in free.
- Fan Fest will also host the inaugural World Famous Hermanaki Wing Eating Contest at 3:30pm Saturday, courtesy of Ale Emporium.
- Competitive eating legend and Westfield resident Joey Chestnut will be taking part.
If you go: The game kicks off at 8pm Saturday.
- Resale tickets for the game start at around $410.
- A ticket to the game gets you admission to the Fan Fest.
What's next: The Big Ten title game will remain in Indianapolis through at least 2028.