Ohio State Players Confident in Rematch with Indiana

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Former Ohio State players Carnell Tate and Caleb Downs believe the Buckeyes would win a rematch against national champion Indiana after losing to the Hoosiers 13-10 in the Big Ten championship game. Downs, a safety, and Tate, a wide receiver, both think Ohio State would come out on top in a second meeting, though Downs' brother Josh, an Indianapolis Colts player, was more skeptical about the Buckeyes' chances.

Why it matters

The Big Ten championship game between Ohio State and Indiana was a close, hard-fought contest, and the players' confidence in a potential rematch suggests the Buckeyes believe they can beat the defending national champions if given another opportunity.

The details

Caleb Downs, who had eight tackles in the Big Ten title game loss, and Carnell Tate, who had four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown, both stated on the "Downs 2 Business" podcast that they think Ohio State would win a rematch against Indiana. Josh Downs, Caleb's brother and an Indianapolis Colts player, was more cautious in his assessment, saying "Maybe... Who knows, though?" when asked if the Buckeyes would beat the Hoosiers in a second meeting.

• The Big Ten championship game between Ohio State and Indiana was played on December 6, 2025.
• The "Downs 2 Business" podcast episode featuring the discussion about a potential Ohio State-Indiana rematch aired on January 28, 2026.

What they’re saying