Heading into the upcoming 2026 college football season, there's little doubt about what Indiana's biggest regular season matchup is.
The Hoosiers are set to welcome the Ohio State Buckeyes to Bloomington in Week 7 on October 17, and the contest has all the makings of an instant classic. In a rematch from last December's Big Ten Championship Game, this highly-anticipated meeting has the potential to deliver Game of the Year potential.
Will Stein tried to mirror Curt Cignetti's swagger, but it didn't hit the same
Professional oddsmakers agree. When early Indiana vs Ohio State betting odds were released on FanDuel Sportsbook back in May, the game was viewed as a toss-up. Indiana was given a slight edge when it came to the spread, as the Hoosiers were listed as 1.5-point favorites. However, oddsmakers have now changed their tune.
Oddsmakers flip stance on Indiana vs Ohio State, Buckeyes now favored
Earlier this week, the odds for Indiana vs Ohio State shifted –– and not in a way that will make Hoosier fans happy. Instead of Indiana being favored by 1.5 points, it's now Ohio State who is favored. The Buckeyes now own the edge in the eyes of professional bookmakers at FanDuel.
Furthermore, the opening odds from May had both teams listed with moneyline odds of -110. Now, Ohio State has moved to -118 while Indiana has odds of -102 to find the win column.
At this point in time, it's tough to point to exactly what prompted the change. However, generally speaking, the shift clearly shows that professional oddsmakers are now viewing the Buckeyes more favorably than the Hoosiers. However, as the defending National Champions, it gives Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers some added bulletin board material.
I just noticed that the Indiana Ohio State game has flipped to Ohio State favored. Indiana was favored by 1.5 when the line opened. Some people will never learn… #Iufb pic.twitter.com/ihFfYxZ78u
— PittHoosier (@Hoosier1Pitt) July 20, 2026
Indiana vs Ohio State primed for potential Game of the Year
Indiana and Ohio State have developed quite the rivalry over the last few seasons. In his two seasons in Bloomington, Cignetti's only Big Ten loss has come at the hands of Ryan Day and the Buckeyes. That occurred during the 2024 campaign in Columbus, when the No. 1-ranked Buckeyes rolled to a 38-15 victory over the 5th-ranked Hoosiers on November 23. Ohio State would go on to win the National Championship.
However, Cignetti and the Hoosiers were able to get their revenge in the 2025 Big Ten Championship Game. In a defensive battle and a wildly physical contest, Indiana prevailed by a score of 13-10 in an instant classic. Indiana would then go on to win a historic National Championship a few weeks later.
The upcoming October matchup between IU and OSU figures to be a heavyweight fight from start to finish. It wouldn't be surprising to see both teams ranked in the Top-5 of the AP Poll, and the Hoosier faithful are sure to create a raucous environment at Memorial Stadium. It will be undoubtedly be a must-watch contest for college football fans across the country.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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