Lead
Indiana completed a 13-0 season on Saturday night by defeating Ohio State 13-10 to claim the Big Ten crown, becoming the only undefeated FBS team and the top pick in the latest 2025 rankings. Texas Tech also vaulted up after an emphatic 34-7 win over BYU to secure its first outright conference title since 1955. Those results reshape the landscape as the new 12-team College Football Playoff field begins to take form, with several Power conferences jockeying for multiple berths. The outcomes raise fresh questions about conference strength, seeding and potential rematches in January.
Key Takeaways
- Indiana is 13-0 and the lone unbeaten FBS team after a 13-10 win over Ohio State to claim the Big Ten title.
- Ohio State falls to 12-1 following a game in which QB Julian Sayin was sacked five times by Indiana’s defense.
- Texas Tech (12-1) won the Big 12 outright and beat BYU 34-7 in the conference title game, marking the program’s best season and first outright league crown since 1955.
- Georgia (12-1) repeated as SEC champion with a 28-7 win over Alabama; Alabama finished 10-3 and struggled to establish a rushing attack.
- Several one-loss Power teams (Ohio State, Georgia, Texas Tech) now appear firmly in CFP contention under the 12-team format, while some conference champions from non-Power leagues (e.g., Tulane, James Madison) are making compelling cases for inclusion.
- BYU (11-2) suffered a second loss to Texas Tech and committed four turnovers in the title game, undermining its CFP hopes.
- Tulane and James Madison both posted strong conference championship performances and could challenge for at-large consideration in the expanded playoff.
Background
The 2025 postseason picture arrives after a season of shifting power: conferences adjusted schedules and teams navigated transfer-era roster churn, leaving parity across several leagues. The College Football Playoff expanded to 12 teams this year, increasing opportunities for conference champions and high-ranking non-champions, and intensifying late-season stakes. Historically dominant programs like Alabama and Ohio State were expected to anchor the field, but late defeats and unexpected conference champions have complicated the projection process.
Indiana’s run is particularly notable given the program’s long championship drought that dates back to 1967 for its last title of any kind. The Hoosiers’ ascent this season — capped by a signature defensive performance against Ohio State — underlines how program trajectories can change quickly with strong recruiting, coaching and scheme execution. Texas Tech’s offensive outbursts and dominant margins of victory this season have renewed discussion about how résumé construction and strength of schedule will weigh in CFP committee decisions.
Main Event
The Big Ten title game in Indianapolis was a defensive battle. Indiana managed to rush for at least 100 yards against Ohio State — only the second team this season to do so — and its defense registered five sacks on Julian Sayin, disrupting the Buckeyes’ rhythm. A late field-goal opportunity and clock management defined the final minutes before IU held on for the 13-10 win.
Texas Tech’s 34-7 rout of BYU at AT&T Stadium was decisive. The Red Raiders flipped the script from earlier-season debates about competition quality by winning their 12th game by a wide margin and securing the Big 12 crown. BYU’s freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier threw two interceptions in the title game and the Cougars committed four turnovers total, stalling their offense after an early opening-drive score.
In the SEC Championship, Georgia reclaimed the league with a 28-7 victory over Alabama, avenging its earlier-season loss and holding the Tide to minus-3 rushing yards — a historic single-game low for Alabama dating back to 1968. Alabama’s season ended 10-3 with continued concerns about its ground game, which failed to reach 100 rushing yards in any of its three losses this year.
Analysis & Implications
Indiana’s undefeated mark and conference title place the Hoosiers at the center of national title discussion. The team’s balanced approach — a rugged run game paired with pressure-oriented defense — fits a template that has succeeded in past college football champions. The Hoosiers’ résumé now includes the marquee win over Ohio State and a spotless record, improving their seeding prospects in a 12-team CFP where conference champions receive priority.
Texas Tech’s statistical dominance and quality wins complicate the committee’s calculus. The Red Raiders have more high-margin victories than most contenders and bolstered their profile with an outright conference championship. The key question for the selection committee will be how much weight to give dominant wins against perceived weaker opponents versus narrow victories over top-ranked teams.
For traditional powers such as Alabama and Ohio State, the late-season losses introduce risk but not elimination under the expanded format. Ohio State’s single loss to Indiana still leaves them in the conversation — particularly given SEC volatility and Georgia’s hold on the conference. Alabama’s lack of a consistent running game, however, is likely to influence seeding if quarterbacks and defensive metrics are weighted differently than in prior years.
Comparison & Data
| Team | Record | Conference | Notable stat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 13-0 | Big Ten | Big Ten champions; 5 sacks on Julian Sayin |
| Ohio State | 12-1 | Big Ten | Lost Big Ten title, Heisman candidate sacked 5 times |
| Georgia | 12-1 | SEC | SEC champions; held Alabama to -3 rushing yards |
| Texas Tech | 12-1 | Big 12 | Big 12 champions; 34-7 vs BYU |
| Oregon | 11-1 | Pac-12 | Top-5 ranking entering postseason |
The table shows top contenders by record and conference outcome. In committee deliberations, comparisons will hinge on head-to-head results, conference championships, margin of victory trends and strength of schedule. Texas Tech’s high-margin wins contrast with Indiana’s fewer blowouts but a perfect record and a signature win over a traditional power.
Reactions & Quotes
Postgame comments from key participants highlighted different tones: Alabama players expressed frustration over offensive execution, while Texas Tech supporters celebrated a long-awaited program milestone. Public reaction on X and other platforms amplified the debate over conference strength and playoff projections.
“We know that we’re the best offense in the country. When we don’t show it right, it’s frustrating,”
Ty Simpson, Alabama QB (postgame)
“This team has answered every challenge; we’re proud of what the players accomplished tonight,”
Indiana head coach (postgame remarks)
“Winning the Big 12 outright for the first time since 1955 validates our season,”
Texas Tech representative (press comments)
Unconfirmed
- Whether Indiana and Ohio State will meet again in the National Championship remains speculative until the CFP selection and seeding are finalized.
- Final CFP seedings and at-large selections are not yet announced and could change if the committee prioritizes strength of schedule over undefeated status.
Bottom Line
Indiana’s 13-0 finish and Big Ten title make the Hoosiers the most compelling No. 1 candidate entering CFP selection. Their defensive performance against Ohio State and an unblemished record give them both the résumé and the narrative momentum teams need in committee evaluations.
Texas Tech’s breakthrough Big 12 title and dominant wins across the season force the committee to balance margin-of-victory and résumé quality against traditional strength-of-schedule measures. With several one-loss power programs still in place, the expanded playoff should accommodate most top contenders, but seeding and potential rematches will determine who has the clearest path to the national championship.