Ohio State still hasn’t learned how to handle big wins. Fortunately for the Buckeyes, it didn’t cost them in Saturday’s matchup against Indiana.

Just one week after defeating Penn State 27-26 to solidify its name in the College Football Playoff conversation, Ohio State came out sluggish against the Hoosiers, allowing Tom Allen’s bunch to hang around for most of the contest. It was an all-too-familiar look for Urban Meyer.

The two teams traded punches in the first half. Indiana took a 17-14 lead in the second quarter after a spectacular pass-and-catch from Peyton Ramsey to Nick Westbrook. Early on, it felt like it could be last year’s Iowa game all over again.

But the Buckeyes responded. Dwayne Haskins connected with Parris Campbell for an 18-yard touchdown to regain the lead at 21-17. On the Buckeyes’ next offensive possession, Haskins found Terry McLaurin for a seven-yard score.

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Ohio State took a 28-20 lead into the half and separated itself in the final two quarters.

Haskins threw for 442 yards and six touchdowns as the Buckeyes rolled to a 49-26 victory over the Hoosiers.

But credit Indiana and Tom Allen. This was no easy win for Meyer’s club.

Indiana’s defense intercepted Haskins twice and forced three total turnovers. It held the Buckeyes to just 84 rushing yards, the lowest total of the season. This was a ballgame for three quarters.

Ohio State’s talent was too much and Haskins was too good down the stretch. It just goes to show that there’s still a sizeable talent gap between the Buckeyes and most of the B1G, but they shouldn’t take that for granted.

Maybe that game is out of Ohio State’s system now. That hangover game that has become all-too-common lately and tends to cause a lot of unnecessary anxiety among Buckeye fans. Perhaps this team has learned its lesson and realizes it can’t take any opponent too lightly.

Ohio State’s annual hangover game is officially over. They just can’t allow another one to creep in later this season.