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The Indiana Hoosiers travel to Columbus, Ohio, in search of victory against Ohio State in a game that will not only put them into the Big Ten Football Championship Game but almost assures a College Football Playoff spot. Who will emerge victorious between the traditional titan and the rising challenger?
All roads lead to Indiana at Ohio State for a College Football Playoff bid and Big Ten Championship spot.
This is not what we will expected out of this game to start the season.
I was all in favor of Curt Cignetti’s hire, yet I could never have predicted that Indiana would go 10-0 for the first time ever and earn a first-round bye into the College Football Playoff.
They must upset Ohio State at first. Otherwise, their mood and discourse could abruptly change.
According to our Strength of Schedule Metric, Indiana has played the 66th-easiest schedule nationally thus farβfar superior to ESPN’s assessment, which placed them with the 100th easiest schedule nationally.
Indiana is playing well despite an easy schedule and has won all but one game by at least two touchdowns.
But should Indiana lose big Saturday, there will be real, understandable discussion over its status as an elite team or are they just like Penn State: one capable of defeating lower-tier Big Ten foes but struggling against top teams.
Indiana may secure its spot in the college football playoff with a strong performance, even in defeat.
As for the game itself, Indiana’s defense shines here. Ohio State is loaded at their skill positions with an average offensive line and slightly above-average quarterback, but Indiana is an underdog in this battleground.
Indiana can win here by limiting possessions and exploiting Ohio State’s errors. I expect Cignetti to take a more relaxed defensive approach than previously, forcing Ohio State’s offensive unit into longer drives instead of allowing explosive plays and potentially forcing mistakes out of the Buckeyes impatience.
Though Ohio State may have more depth and talent at receiver and defensive line positions than Indiana does, the difference is not as big as some believe. Indiana was particularly hampered in its second-half play against Michigan’s front, making almost no progress after halftime. But, the Hoosiers have the correct coach to fix those issues in the week leading up to the game.
Early on, Ohio State may take some time to establish its dominance, as I don’t anticipate them leapfrogging Indiana by an overwhelming margin, but as the game goes along I think the Buckeyes will get stronger. The Hoosiers need to play from the front so first quarter points are a must.
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The over/under is set at 52.5 in this game. Both defenses are excellent, and I expect a low-scoring, high-intensity ball game from start to finish. By low-scoring I am thinking mid to high 20s, I would leave the over/under bet alone, but if I had to bet it I would lean towards the over.
Prediction:
Take the Hoosiers and the points, and don’t be surprised if the Hoosiers keep this close to the end.
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