Ohio State clinches Big Ten East Division in hard-earned victory over Indiana

The score tells the story a little differently.

On one hand, Ohio State improved to 7-0 against Big Ten teams in a 42-27 victory over Indiana on Saturday. On the other hand, Indiana gave the Buckeyes one of its tougher tests of the season, thanks in large part to the unpredictable nature of Hoosiers running back Tevin Coleman.

While Ohio State freshman quarterback J.T. Barrett broke two single-season school records, setting new milestones in passing touchdowns and total offense, it was hard for the public to keep its eyes off Indiana's magical rushing game built around Coleman.

A 90-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter and a 52-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter legitimized him as a threat every time he hit the field.

Registering 228 yards on 27 carries, Coleman was a silent force for a Hoosiers team that even led 20-14 at one point in the third quarter. 

Coleman is still second among college football rushers in rushing yards and while the season has gone all too well for the Hoosiers, he has been the team's best player by a mile and his draft stock is at an all-time high.

Ohio State keeps its sparkling record intact against a team it certainly should have beaten, but it wasn't the kind of win that instills a whole lot of faith moving forward.

That said, there were still some positives. Barrett had another strong game with 302 passing yards and freshman running back Jalin Marshall was a force with a 54-yard punt-return touchdown and four touchdowns on the day.

The Buckeyes were able to clinch the Big Ten East Division, but the Hoosiers gave them one heck of a headache before allowing them to do so. A win is a win, but Ohio State needs to be on point and defensively focused heading into the College Football Playoff.