The College Football Playoff committee might as well have handed Ohio State a golden throne and Indiana a silver medal. But it’s not without lighting a match under every Big Ten fan base. After a wild Week 10 that scrambled the playoff board, CFP committee chair Mack Rhoades found himself explaining why the Buckeyes get to sit on top while Indiana stares up from No. 2. And as he says, this decision didn’t come easy.

In an ESPN College Football X post on November 4, Mack Rhoades walked host Rece Davis through the playoff committee’s thought process. “We really, really felt like the committee, that Ohio State and Indiana were close,” he said. “When you looked at the statistical data, both offensively and defensively, two teams, both in the top five offensively, two teams both in the top five defensively, both with really, really good wins.” But there’s the separator.

It came down to the trenches, and Ohio State’s defense took home the trophy. “But when we again looked at tape, we looked at metrics, we felt like Ohio State a little bit better up front on the offensive line, and we thought they were better defensively,” the CFP chair said. The Buckeyes entered the weekend giving up just 6.88 points per game, best in the country. But Indiana’s case isn’t exactly thin either. 

The Hoosiers’ 55–10 obliteration of Maryland marked their fourth 50-point outing and showcased a balanced, brutal attack led by QB Fernando Mendoza. Indiana’s got wins over Oregon and Iowa, and a defense that diagnoses and dismantles. Yet, Mack Rhoades’ reasoning favored Ohio State’s strength in the trenches and its resume wins over Washington and Texas. It’s nitpicky stuff, the kind of decision that makes people whisper about brand bias. Still, there’s a reason fans think the script’s already written.

Ohio State machine rolls on

Behind QB Julian Sayin, who’s completing over 80% of his passes with 23 touchdowns to just three picks, Ohio State has been outstanding. The Buckeyes dismantled Penn State 38–14, reminding everyone why Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith might be the scariest receiver duo in the country. Meanwhile, defenders Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles are Butkus semifinalists, and Caleb Downs is gunning for the Jim Thorpe Award.

And when the CFP committee says “eye test,” this is what they mean. Ohio State suffocates teams, making every snap feel like a statement. So now, the Big Ten has two clear alpha dogs. Ohio State and Indiana, and a commissioner in Tony Petitti trying to stretch the playoff to fit them both, while Oregon lurks in the shadows.

Indiana’s got the firepower. Ohio State’s got the pedigree. And Mack Rhoades just handed the Buckeyes the benefit of the doubt. Maybe that’s bias. Maybe it’s logic. Either way, both teams look destined for December fireworks.