The stage is set for the most anticipated Big Ten matchup of the season: No. 5 Indiana travels to Columbus to face No. 2 Ohio State. This clash pits the Hoosiers, riding an unprecedented 10-0 start, against a powerhouse Buckeyes program accustomed to owning this rivalry. With history, stakes, and playoff implications on the line, here’s why I’m leaning toward the under in this massive showdown.
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College football 2024: 55-48-2 (+1.68 Units)
Week 12 college football results: 8-6 (+1.69 Units)
#5 Indiana vs #2 Ohio State Odds
Can Will Howard will this Ohio State offense to a win over #5 Indiana? (Courtesy of Buckeye Huddle)
#5 Indiana vs #2 Ohio State odds are courtesy of BetOnline, a longtime fixture among the top online sports betting sites. Check out our BetOnline sportsbook review, then bag a big bonus (100% if your first deposit is with Bitcoin, Ethereum, or another cryptocurrency) to bet on College Football games.
Spread:
Indiana: +10.5 (-110)
Ohio State: -10.5 (-110)
Total
Over: 52.5 (-115)
Under: 52.5 (-105)
Moneyline
Indiana: +360
Ohio State: -450
#5 Indiana vs #2 Ohio State Bet
Game of the Week
This Big Ten showdown is one fans have had circled for weeks. The Hoosiers, the new darlings of college football, are 10-0 for the first time in school history. They’re rolling into Columbus to face a Buckeyes program that has owned them for years. But now, Indiana has the talent and the coach to potentially shock the nation.
Can the Hoosiers do the impossible this weekend? I’m staying away from that question and leaning toward the under in this matchup.
Indiana comes into this game off a bye week and a 20-15 win over Michigan the week prior. They coasted through that game, playing conservatively and still walking away with a victory. With two weeks to prep for the biggest game in program history, they should be ready.
On the flip side, Ohio State is coming off a dominant 31-7 win over Northwestern at Wrigley Field. While they didn’t cover the 28-point spread, they still overwhelmed the Wildcats.
With the stakes as high as they are, both teams should come out locked in for this noon Eastern kickoff. That’s another reason I’m leaning under.
Top Defenses Clash
A lot of questions surround Indiana’s defense and the strength of their schedule, but this is their Super Bowl—the biggest game this program has played in decades. I expect their defense to rise to the occasion. Both teams rank in the top ten in points allowed, giving up a combined average of just 25 points per game.
Ohio State’s offensive line is banged up, which could give Indiana’s defensive line an edge. The Hoosiers rank 26th in sack percentage (7.89%), and that number has jumped to 9.90% over their last three games. They’ll have a real shot at pressuring Buckeyes QB Will Howard, who has a tendency to play lackadaisical at times. I also like Howard to throw an interception at plus money—if player props are available in your state.
On the other side, Ohio State’s defense is a machine. They’re number one in points allowed and elite against both the pass and the run. They don’t give up big plays and are by far the best defense Indiana has faced this season. It’s hard to predict how Indiana’s offense will respond to that challenge.
In a game of this magnitude, with so many question marks, the under feels like the right play. Big game. Big moment. Even bigger stakes. I think the defenses steal the show.
Lean: Game Under 52.5 (-105) on BetOnline
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