Ohio State’s hopes for a Big Ten championship came to an abrupt end with a narrow 13-10 loss to Indiana on December 2, 2023. This defeat marks the first time Indiana has triumphed over the Buckeyes since 1988. Despite the setback, Ohio State remains poised to compete in the upcoming College Football Playoff as they aim for back-to-back national titles.
Head coach Ryan Day expressed disappointment following the game but emphasized the potential for growth. “This is not going to sit well with anybody,” he stated. “But we can use it as an opportunity to get better and grow.” Day acknowledged the frustration in the locker room, noting, “To walk off that field without a championship is going to hurt. There’s a lot of guys in our locker room that are pissed off right now.”
The game saw the top two-ranked teams in the country face off, both entering with unbeaten records. Ohio State had two key opportunities in the second half to either tie or take the lead. Late in the third quarter, the Buckeyes faced a pivotal third-and-1 from the Indiana 5-yard line. An incomplete pass followed by a quarterback sneak from freshman Julian Sayin was initially ruled a first down. However, officials later overturned the call, resulting in a turnover on downs.
On their next possession, Ohio State mounted another lengthy drive, setting up a third-and-1 from the Indiana 9-yard line. A second incomplete pass led to a 27-yard field goal attempt with 2:48 remaining in the game. Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, kicker Jayden Fielding missed the attempt, marking the first miss of his career from inside 30 yards after making 13 consecutive successful kicks, according to ESPN Research.
With Indiana effectively managing the clock, Ohio State’s chances dwindled. The Buckeyes did not regain possession until just 13 seconds remained in the game. Day remarked, “We went down there two times and ended up with zero points. That’s how you lose the game.” This defeat means Ohio State has not won the Big Ten title since 2020.
Despite the loss, Ohio State is likely to secure a first-round bye in the playoff, setting them on a path to potentially replicate last year’s success. The Buckeyes, who did not receive a bye after their loss to Michigan last season, managed to secure the national championship by winning four consecutive games. Sayin, who served as a backup quarterback last year, reflected on the resilience of that team, stating, “I just saw that group stick together. That’s going to be a big part for us.”
As Ohio State prepares for the playoffs, the team aims to channel the lessons learned from both their past experiences and this recent loss. The upcoming weeks will be critical as the Buckeyes look to build momentum and return to their championship form.
