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'He's a Freak': Curt Cignetti, Ryan Day Size Up the Ohio State-Indiana Rematch

Ohio State and Indiana are set to renew their rivalry in a high-stakes rematch this Saturday, with the Buckeyes (5-1, 3-0 Big Ten) traveling to Bloomington as 3.5-point underdogs against the undefeated Hoosiers (6-0, 3-0). The game marks a return to the gridiron for both teams after Indiana’s dramatic 13-10 victory in last December’s Big Ten Championship, which they capped off with a national title and a 22-game winning streak.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day has shifted focus away from last year’s loss, emphasizing that his team’s approach centers on situational execution—particularly after struggling to convert red-zone trips into touchdowns in December. Meanwhile, Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti has singled out Buckeyes standout Jeremiah Smith, calling the senior wide receiver “a freak” and acknowledging his unmatched versatility as a threat to exploit.

Smith, Ohio State’s career leader in receptions, yards, and touchdowns, is just two catches away from tying the Big Ten record and has already amassed 916 yards and 11 touchdowns this season, trailing only the FBS leader in both categories. With both teams unbeaten in conference play and a raucous home crowd expected to play a pivotal role, the rematch promises to be a test of resilience and precision for both programs.

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