Top-five, unbeaten in Big Ten play, and a noon kickoff in Bloomington on Fox. It doesn't get much bigger than No. 4 Ohio State (5-1, 3-0) at No. 5 Indiana (6-0, 3-0), and the loser takes a hit in both the Big Ten race and the playoff picture.
Our insiders are already going at it. Ohio State insider Brecken "Buck" Holloway calls it "a Columbus problem" and points to Julian Sayin's 17 touchdowns and Jeremiah Smith's 916 receiving yards. He says the Buckeye defense, sixth in ESPN's efficiency numbers, travels anywhere. Indiana insider Mallory Penhallow answers with pageant poise and brutal numbers: Josh Hoover has 17 touchdown passes and no interceptions, Turbo Richard averages more than eight yards a carry, and Charlie Becker has eight scoring catches.
The trenches may decide it. Ohio State is without starting lineman Austin Siereveld and fellow lineman Jaxon Powell, plus running backs Ja'Kobi Jackson and Anthony Rogers. Bo Jackson, the Buckeyes' leading rusher, carries the load. Indiana's report is much lighter. Both teams won last Saturday: Ohio State beat Maryland 45-16, and Indiana edged Nebraska 20-17 on the road.
Our call: Ohio State 26, Indiana 25.