The 2025 Big Ten championship game takes place on Saturday, December 6, from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Heading to Indiana for the game are the No. 1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes and the No. 2 ranked Indiana Hoosiers. This year’s Big Ten championship game marks the first time the top two teams in the nation meet for the title. It is also the first time two undefeated clubs have matched up for the Big Ten championship.
Ohio State finished the 2025 NCAA football season with a perfect 12-0 record. This year marks the Buckeyes’ record seventh appearance in a championship game. Ohio State is looking for its 40th Big Ten title and its first since it won four in a row between 2017 and 20.
Indiana also wrapped up the 2025 season with a 12-0 record. This year marks the Hoosiers’ first appearance in the Big Ten championship game. The Hoosiers have two Big Ten titles, winning in 1945 and 1967.
Ohio State and Indiana have played 99 times. The Buckeyes have dominated the series, leading 82-12-5. Ohio State has a 14-game winning streak over Indiana.
| To Win 2025 Big Ten Championship Game |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | +170 | +165 | +167 |
| Ohio State | -195 | -195 | -195 |
| Indiana +4.5 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
| Ohio State -4.5 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
| Over 48 Points | -115 | -110 | -110 |
| Under 48 Points | -105 | -110 | -110 |
With the 2025 NCAA football season winding down, be sure to check out our NCAAF playoff odds, as well as our betting picks to win the NCAA Football National Championship in 2025.
The Indiana Hoosiers made their way to the Big Ten championship game, winning on the road against Oregon, Penn State, and Iowa after dominating Illinois earlier in the season. Indiana has had a better-than-expected season in 2025, but no team should be happy just to get to a championship game.
Indiana has the third-best defense in the Big Ten, giving up 251.8 yards per game. The team is fifth against the pass, surrendering 172.5 yards per game, but No. 1 against the rush, allowing 79.3 yards per game.
Indiana’s quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, is one of the betting favorites to win the 2025 Heisman Trophy. He has not faced much adversity this year, but he will be under pressure this weekend against Ohio State. Mendoza went 211 for 293 with 2,758 yards passing in 2025. He threw 32 touchdowns, the most in the Big Ten, with five interceptions.
What is worrisome for Indiana as a team is how they come into this game. Outside of the Penn State win (27-24) in early November, the Hoosiers have not been tested by an opponent in their past six games. The last tough game for the team, aside from the Nittany Lions, was their 30-20 win over Oregon in mid-October. The ease of the schedule might be a concern for the Hoosiers heading into the Big Ten championship. On the other hand, the team might be fresh and rested.
Ohio State heads into the 2025 Big Ten championship game coming off a massive 27-9 win over Michigan on the road. The victory ended the Wolverines’ four-game winning streak in that series. While that game was important, Ohio State can’t let off the gas this week.
Ohio State has the No. 1 defense in the Big Ten, giving up 203.0 yards per game. The Buckeyes have the best passing defense in the conference, allowing 121.3 yards per game, and are second in rushing defense, surrendering 81.7 yards per game.
Ohio State QB Julian Sayin is the betting favorite to win the Heisman this year. He threw for 3,065 yards. Sayin attempted 327 passes and had 258 completions for 30 touchdowns and five interceptions. His completion percentage was the best in the Big Ten, and he was one of three Big Ten QBs to throw for more than 3,000 yards. He and Mendoza were the only quarterbacks in the conference with 30 or more TDs.
With the passing game likely to be important on Saturday, look for Sayin to utilize Jeremiah Smith a lot more. Smith only had seven receptions for 80 total yards in the past two games. He will be the player Sayin looks for under pressure from the Illinois defense.
This game will decide the Big Ten champion, and it is likely to also decide the Heisman Trophy winner and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoffs. The stakes for this game are incredibly high, and it is a much-watch game.
The betting pick is for the Ohio State Buckeyes to beat the Illinois Hoosiers for the 2025 Big Ten championship.
With these teams having two of the best defenses in college football in 2025. Do not look for a high-scoring game.
The betting pick is for Indiana and Ohio State to combine for fewer than 48 points in the 2025 Big Ten championship game.
See below the best online betting sites. You can read our comprehensive reviews to help determine the best option for your 2025 NCAA football betting.
