Big Ten standings shake up as Indiana stays undefeated, but Ohio State’s championship hopes could collapse in today’s final games

The Big Ten standings took a dramatic shape on Saturday, November 29, 2025, as Indiana clinched its first-ever conference title game appearance earlier this week. Now all eyes turn to late-afternoon games that will determine whether Ohio State survives at Michigan to claim the final spot in December’s championship matchup. The stakes couldn’t be higher as the undefeated Hoosiers await their conference championship opponent.

Indiana Completes Historic Undefeated Regular Season

The No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers dominated Purdue 56-3 on Friday night to secure their first perfect regular season ever. Coach Curt Cignetti led the program transformation in just his second year, making Indiana the only remaining undefeated team in the Power Four conferences alongside Ohio State. The victory capped an extraordinary turnaround for a program that had never won more than nine games in a single season before Cignetti’s arrival.

Kaelon Black, Fernando Mendoza, and Roman Hemby each scored touchdowns as Indiana dominated from start to finish. The Hoosiers clinched their first Big Ten Championship Game appearance in program history, ending a 58-year drought without a conference title. The victory was especially significant as it came against rival Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium for the 100th playing of this historic rivalry.

Ohio State’s Championship Dreams Hinge on ‘The Game’ Today

Ohio State’s playoff destiny comes down to today’s rivalry matchup against Michigan at Michigan Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET on FOX, with the winner punching their ticket to Lucas Oil Stadium for the Big Ten title game. The Buckeyes enter undefeated at 11-0 and ranked No. 1 nationally, but a loss would eliminate them from the championship game entirely.

For Ohio State, the math is straightforward: win and secure a championship game berth regardless of other results. Head coach Ryan Day faces intense pressure to overcome the rivalry game atmosphere and Michigan’s defense. Meanwhile, Michigan arrives ranked No. 15 with significantly lower playoff expectations, making them dangerous as an underdog with nothing to lose.

Cignetti’s Remarkable Turnaround Defies Program History

Curt Cignetti inherited a program in historic decline when he arrived at Indiana two years ago. Before his tenure began, the Hoosiers had never won more than nine games in a single season. Now, after just two years, Cignetti has transformed Indiana into a Big Ten Championship Game contender with the conference’s only undefeated regular season. His first year saw Indiana go 11-0 in Big Ten play and win eight conference games, both program records.

The historic turnaround earned Cignetti widespread recognition and solidified Indiana’s sudden emergence as a national power. The Hoosiers roster features players that many schools overlooked, earning them the nickname “bunch of misfits” throughout the season. Their path to perfection included a massive road victory over No. 3 Oregon earlier this season, among the signature wins that built this championship-caliber team.

Championship Game Matchup Scenarios and Playoff Implications

If Ohio State wins today, the Big Ten Championship Game will feature the two remaining undefeated teams on December 6. That scenario would pit the conference’s top two nationally-ranked teams against each other in Indianapolis. The winner secures a top-four College Football Playoff seed and first-round bye. The loser still enters the playoff but drops to a lower seed, facing a must-win first-round game.

Alternatively, if Ohio State loses to Michigan and Oregon defeats Washington in Seattle, Indiana would face Oregon in the championship game. Each scenario carries massive playoff implications, with strength-of-schedule tiebreakers and conference championship games influencing playoff selection. For Indiana, their undefeated record and Big Ten title game appearance virtually guarantees playoff selection regardless of outcome.

Who Will Represent the Big Ten in the College Football Playoff?

Today’s Ohio State vs. Michigan game determines whether the Big Ten sends one or two undefeated teams into the College Football Playoff. Indiana’s remarkable turnaround under Cignetti has already secured their playoff spot, but the question becomes which team emerges from Lucas Oil Stadium on December 6 to claim the conference championship and top-four seed. The Big Ten championship game guarantees the winner a significant playoff advantage and the loser potentially faces an uphill postseason path despite their strong records.

Kickoff at Michigan Stadium approaches at noon ET today, with FOX broadcasting live coverage. Ryan Day and Ohio State look to survive the rivalry game atmosphere and secure their path to Indianapolis. Meanwhile, Indiana waits to learn which conference champion they’ll face in what promises to be a compelling Big Ten Championship Game with massive playoff implications.

Michael Brown

Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.