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Paul Finebaum, a longtime ESPN analyst whose career has been largely dedicated to covering the SEC, shifted his attention to a pair of non-SEC programs during a recent appearance on The Matt Barrie Show. While reviewing the college football landscape after Week 6, Finebaum singled out Ohio State and Indiana as teams that have captured his interest leading into a crucial Week 7 showdown.
"I'm really fired up about Ohio State and Indiana because I want to make sure I'm not wrong again about Ohio State," Finebaum said. "Indiana... they won back a lot of me yesterday."
Finebaum and Barrie had previously discussed Indiana's precarious situation against Nebraska, a game in which the Hoosiers' unbeaten record was in jeopardy. Nebraska jumped out to a 17-6 lead with 12:01 remaining, and Finebaum admitted he thought the Cornhuskers would hold on. "I've always liked Matt Rhule," he said. "Yesterday, I finally believed in him. I said, 'Matt Rhule's got this.' And of course, Nebraska never has it anymore." The Huskers ultimately squandered the lead, marking their 31st consecutive loss to a ranked opponent. Indiana escaped with a 20-17 victory, preserving its perfect season and setting up a top-tier Big Ten battle with Ohio State in Week 7.
Elsewhere in the Big Ten, Penn State and Oregon have been disappointments, while USC sits at 6-1 but hasn't yet shown signs of a College Football Playoff-caliber run. According to ESPN's Football Power Index, Indiana currently has an 87.4% chance to make the Playoff, while Ohio State stands at 76.9%. The conference's third-best Playoff candidate per FPI is No. 12 UCLA, which is surprisingly 5-0 with a 28.6% chance.
Ohio State's lone blemish this season came in a brutal Week 2 loss to Texas, a game that mirrored Nebraska's Week 6 collapse. The Buckeyes led 23-3 early in the fourth quarter but fell 24-23. In the 12-team Playoff era, a single loss doesn't eliminate Ohio State, but with the Big Ten in flux, the Buckeyes and Hoosiers have been the league's most consistent teams. For a conference that has won the last three national titles, the early season has been unpredictable, and Finebaum may be eager to see if Indiana can further disrupt Ohio State's path. A 10-2 Buckeyes team would likely still reach the Playoff, but a second loss would leave little margin for error with games against ranked USC, Northwestern, Oregon, and Michigan still ahead.
Key Analysis
Finebaum's comments highlight the significance of the upcoming Indiana-Ohio State matchup, which could have major implications for the Big Ten and the College Football Playoff race. While Ohio State remains a powerhouse, Indiana's resilience and undefeated record have made the Hoosiers a legitimate threat. The game will test whether Indiana can sustain its success against elite competition and whether Ohio State can avoid another costly setback.