The two best teams in the Big Ten and arguably the two best teams in the country will battle for the Big Ten championship. The Indiana Hoosiers and Ohio State Buckeyes both ran the table during the regular season and the winner will be the last remaining unbeaten team in the FBS. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 6 from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN with television coverage on FOX.
Indiana vs. Ohio State Preview
Most experts say the Buckeyes are the best team in college football. The Hoosiers have something to say about that and the result will take place on the field, as it should. Behind Heisman Trophy candidate Fernando Mendoza IU is the highest scoring Power 4 team and ranks second nationally averaging 44.3 points.
Overshadowed by the offensive exploits, the Hoosiers boast a defense that finished just behind Ohio State in the regular season national rankings allowing 10.9 points per outing. The unit held seven opponents to 10 points or less and only one team scored more than 20 points against them. IU went 7-4 against the college football odds in its last 11 games.
- IU scored more than 50 points in six games and outscored opponents by an average of 33.4 points. They cashed the OVER four times with a push in their last six games.
- Mendoza has completed 72 percent of his passes for 2,758 yards with 32 TDs and five INTs. He has an additional six rushing TDs.
- The Hoosiers are 1st in the country with a plus-17 turnover margin and have a Big Ten best 24 takeaways.
- Between them Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black have rushed for nearly 1,600 yards and 13 TDs.
It’s hard to believe this is Ohio State’s first Big Ten title game in five years. They finally ended the drought by beating their biggest rival Michigan in convincing fashion last week, exorcising the demons in the process. And once again the defense dominated. For the fifth time this season the Buckeyes didn’t allow a TD holding their 10th opponent to 10 points or less.
OSU hasn’t put up the offensive numbers Indiana has, but the group has been efficient. Julian Sayin has a FBS-best 78.9 completion percentage with 3,065 yards and 30 TDs for the 13th ranked scoring offense. The group also got a boost with the return of receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate for the Michigan game.
- OSU has held its last four opponents to 10 points or less and no team has scored more than 16 points against them. They have the No. 1 ranked scoring defense allowing 7.8 points a game.
- Ending drives has been a key to success. The Buckeyes have the third best 3rd down defense allowing conversions 27.5 percent of the time.
- The Buckeyes are first nationally in red zone defense allowing scores on 65 percent of opponent trips inside the 20.
Indiana vs. Ohio State Predictions
This truly is a strength vs. strength matchup with IU’s explosive offense against OSU’s nasty defense. However, credit the other side of the ball on both teams and even though this is unfamiliar territory for the Hoosiers they will stand tall. I’m backing Indiana and points in what should be a close contest.
Indiana vs. Ohio State Betting Tips
- The college football betting line opened with OSU at -4.5 and -197 on the moneyline.
- The Buckeyes covered the spread in their last 3 games and are 10-1-1 ATS for the season.
- Indiana’s only game as an underdog (+7) was in Week 7 at Oregon where they prevailed 30-20.
- The Hoosiers are +177 on the moneyline.
- The total surfaced at 48.5.
- The OVER is 4-1-1 in IU’s last six games while the UNDER is 5-2 in OSU’s last seven contests.
Indiana vs. Ohio State Head to Head and Key Stats
- History is against Indiana in this matchup. The Hoosiers haven’t beaten Ohio State since 1988, a stretch of 32 games, though they do have a tie in that span.
- The Buckeyes have won 81 of the 98 all-time matchups, according to IU athletics.
- The teams met last season with Indiana undefeated entering the Week 13 contest. After giving up an early TD the Buckeyes dominated 38-15.
- The Hoosiers had never won 10 games in a season before Curt Cignetti took over. In his two seasons they are 23-2.
