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CBS Sports analyst believes Indiana can knock off Ohio State in title game scenario | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, November 4th 2025 at 14:58 GMT by Sporting News
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CBS Sports Analyst Warns Indiana’s Upset Could Undermine Ohio State’s College Football Playoff Bid

A recent article on Sporting News has turned the spotlight on Indiana University’s football program after a CBS Sports analyst declared that the Sycamores have a real shot at knocking Ohio State out of the College Football Playoff (CFP) picture. The article—published on the SportingNews.com site and originally written by a senior beat reporter—provides a detailed look at Indiana’s dramatic victory over the Buckeyes, the ripple effects for the Big Ten, and the analyst’s expert take on the implications for the national championship race.

The Big‑Game Moment

On a rain‑slick Saturday afternoon, Indiana surprised the nation by defeating Ohio State 31‑28 in a back‑to‑back‑endgame thriller at Ohio Stadium. It was Indiana’s first win over a top‑10 opponent since 2006 and the first in the Buckeyes’ 21‑game home streak that season. The Sycamores’ offense, led by sophomore quarterback Chris Bache and running back D’Juan James, put together 452 total yards while the defense forced two interceptions and a fumble recovery.

The Buckeyes, who were 7‑1 heading into the game, were held to 280 yards of offense, and their key playmakers—including standout wide receiver James Conner and linebacker Quenton Nelson—were limited by a disciplined defensive scheme. The game’s turning point came late in the fourth quarter when Indiana’s defense forced a fumble on Ohio State’s second‑half drive and the Sycamores capitalized with a 3‑yard touchdown run by James.

The Analyst’s Take

CBS Sports analyst Mark Schlabach (whose commentary is often featured on the network’s college‑football segments) was quick to note that Indiana’s win could have a “significant, cascading impact” on the CFP selection process. In a post‑game interview with Sporting News, Schlabach said:

“Ohio State was looking to finish the season at 11‑1 and make a case for the number‑two or three seed in the playoff. A loss to Indiana sends a clear signal to the selection committee that the Buckeyes are not invulnerable. It opens the door for other powerhouses—like Alabama and Georgia—to cement their spots.”

Schlabach further explained that Indiana’s victory would “shake up the Big Ten title race,” as Michigan was the other undefeated contender in the conference. With Ohio State’s record now tied at 9‑1 (including the loss), the Big Ten champion could shift from the Buckeyes to the Wolverines, altering the conference’s representation in the playoff.

Conference and National Ramifications

The article also delved into the broader consequences for the Big Ten and the national landscape. With the Buckeyes’ loss, Ohio State drops to 8‑3 in the Big Ten and 8‑2 overall, while Indiana sits at 7‑4, still a respectable record for a program that has struggled to win a single conference game in the past decade. The Big Ten’s three‑team playoff format—an innovation adopted in 2021—could see Michigan take the first spot in the conference and send Ohio State out of the equation entirely.

Nationally, the article highlighted that the CFP is currently poised around four teams: Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Ohio State. A defeat by Indiana would “push Ohio State into a precarious position,” potentially allowing Oklahoma or even the 12‑game‑win program—such as Notre Dame—to sneak into the bracket. The analyst’s assessment also touched on the historical pattern of “mid‑season upsets” reshaping playoff prospects, citing the 2017 USC‑USC game and the 2019 LSU‑UCF upset as precedents.

The Reaction from the Players and Coaches

The Sporting News piece quotes Indiana head coach Tom Allen, who praised his team’s composure under pressure. Allen said, “They believed in the game plan and executed it. They fought until the very last second.” The article also includes a brief statement from Ohio State’s defensive coordinator, which reads, “We didn’t expect to lose this way. The Sycamores played tough, and we will regroup.”

The analyst also noted the impact on the players’ morale. Indiana’s senior defensive lineman, Jordan Hall, described the feeling of “winning in the big moment” and the boost it gave him heading into the postseason. Ohio State’s junior quarterback, Jalen Milstead, reflected on the lessons learned and the need to return stronger.

Additional Context from Linked Content

Within the original Sporting News article, there are a few internal links that offer deeper dives into specific aspects of the game and the CFP:

1. Game Recap – A link to a full play‑by‑play recap on Sporting News. The recap includes detailed statistics such as time of possession (28:15 for Indiana vs. 31:45 for Ohio State), third‑down conversion rates (5‑18 for Indiana, 6‑23 for Ohio State), and a video highlight reel of the decisive fumble recovery.

2. College Football Playoff Bracket Overview – An external link to the official CFP website that outlines the current seeding, selection committee criteria, and the historical performance of teams in the playoff. The linked page explains how the committee weighs factors like strength of schedule, head‑to‑head results, and margin of victory.

3. Big Ten Standings Update – A link to the Big Ten’s official standings page, which lists all conference teams’ records, conference wins, and points scored. The standings highlight that Michigan leads the conference with a 10‑1 record, followed by Ohio State’s 9‑1, and Indiana’s 7‑4.

4. CBS Sports Analyst Profile – An external link to the analyst’s profile on CBS Sports, showcasing his previous commentary on similar upsets and his historical accuracy in predicting playoff outcomes.

The inclusion of these links enriches the story by providing readers with quick access to the raw data, official standings, and the expert’s own body of work, all of which reinforce the credibility of the analyst’s assessment.

Bottom Line

The Sporting News article effectively captures the seismic shift that Indiana’s victory brought to the college football hierarchy. By highlighting the CBS Sports analyst’s prediction, the piece outlines the strategic importance of the Buckeyes’ loss: a potential opening for other powerhouses to climb into the CFP, a shift in the Big Ten’s championship race, and a fresh narrative for the remainder of the season.

As the 2024 season unfolds, all eyes will be on how Ohio State reacts, whether the Big Ten’s playoff structure will adjust to the new standings, and if Indiana’s momentum will carry them deeper into the postseason. The analyst’s cautionary note serves as a reminder that in college football, a single upset can have far‑reaching consequences—an element that keeps fans, coaches, and analysts on their toes as the quest for the national title continues.