No. 2 Ohio State stifled No. 5 Indiana, winning 38-15 to inch closer to a Big Ten title bid while handing the Hoosiers their first loss.

The Oregon Ducks will be watching the Indiana Hoosiers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes game closely as it will impact who the Ducks face in the Big Ten Championship Game. How will the game affect College Football Playoff seeding?

In the afterglow of a 38-31 win at Rutgers that lifted Illinois to 8-3 — and was so exciting in the late stages that it stole some thunder from higher-profile college football matchups of the day — Illini coach Bret Bielema was feeling the import of the moment.

Ohio State roughing up Indiana made the Notre Dame path to an all-important top six seed in the College Football Playoff clearer.

IU's loss to Ohio State won't keep Hoosiers from College Football Playoff with selection committee valuing wins over quality opponents.

A berth in the Big Ten title game, opposite the Oregon Ducks, and a higher seed in the College Football Playoff are on the line in Columbus, but it's not the traditional late-season rivals the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes have to worry about.