The No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers (12-0, 9-0) and linebacker Aiden Fisher will head into the Big Ten Championship with one thing on their mind. Beat Ohio State. The Hoosiers and Buckeyes met in a top-5 matchup in Columbus last season and the Hoosiers let the moment get to big for them and melted.
“The experiences we had last year with Ohio State and Notre Dame. We fell short in the moment. You know, Coach Cig(netti) said it kind of got a little too big for us, and I think we went in with too much of an underdog mentality. So this year, every single big game we’ve been in, there’s been no doubt at all.” Fisher said on Monday.
While the Hoosiers finished 11-2 in 2024, the losses at Ohio State and Notre Dame left sour tastes in everyone’s mouth. All year long IU had played clean, aggressive football and in the two losses it was mistakes that doomed them.
“Objectively speaking, you would have to say that it became too big for us at some point in the second quarter and into the third. And we’re going to find out Saturday how ready we are.” Cignetti said of Indiana’s 38-15 loss to the Buckeyes last season.
IU led Ohio State early in the game 7-0 and then a few uncharacteristic mistakes allowed Ohio State’s talent to take over. Punter James Evans dropped a snap right before halftime and then early in the third quarter left a punt on the wrong side of the field turning a 7-7 game into an unrecoverable 21-7 hole.
One of the biggest questions hanging over the Hoosiers heading into the 2025 season was if they were for real in 2024 or just a one-hit wonder that got pantsed by two elite teams.
Aiden Fisher and the Hoosiers answered the bell.
“This year, every single big game we’ve been in, there’s been no doubt at all.” Fisher said. “It’s never crept in that, ‘oh man, we might lose this game.’ That’s never been a thought. It’s for us. It’s just keep pounding away, keep pounding away, and at some point we’re going to break free and we’re going to win a football game regardless who’s it against?”
The Hoosiers have won football games in every fashion this season. They blew out then-No. 9 Illinois 63-10 at home. Squeaked out a 20-15 win over an 8-win Iowa team in Kinnick Stadium the next week with a fourth quarter comeback. The most impressive win came two weeks later at Oregon when IU bullied the then-No.3 Ducks 30-20. Oh yeah, then there was the unbelievable drive to beat Penn State in Happy Valley. Every moment thus far has been met.
“What I can tell you about this football team is we’ve met every challenge up to this point because we prepare consistently the way you need to prepare and put it on the field, and all three phases have been very consistent. That’s what it’s going to take this week, detailed preparation, commit to the preparation, eliminate the noise and the clutter, put yourself in the best position to play your best on Saturday individually and collectively.” Cignetti said on Monday.
“This matchup was one that we’ve been looking forward to for a really long time going back to last year after, the loss at their place.” Fisher said. “It’s definitely stuck on my on my head, and, you know, my mentality that if we do get another shot at this, you know, we need to right some wrongs, for me especially. We’re looking forward to it, but it’s definitely been something that’s been in the back of our mind. Just waiting for another opportunity to go at it.”
The Hoosiers and Fisher will have their chance at redemption on Saturday night against the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes.