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Indiana beat Ohio State last December, and the Buckeyes still roll into Bloomington laying more than a field goal? I’m on the Hoosiers. Indiana’s 6-0 and nobody has hung more than 23 on them all year. The current ratings call this a coin flip, and when two defenses this good meet at noon, you want the points and the hook. Indiana plus three and a half.
The Matchup
- Ohio State is the top-rated team in the country. The Buckeyes are 5-1, scoring 43 a game and giving up 13, and the current ratings have both their offense and defense first. Their only loss was 24-23 at Texas. Julian Sayin has 1,772 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and two interceptions.
- Ohio State was banged up last week. The Buckeyes beat Maryland without six starters, including receivers Brandon Inniss and Devin McCuin and two offensive linemen. Ryan Day said he hopes to get most of them back. Check the final availability report before kickoff.
- Indiana is 6-0 and runs the ball. The Hoosiers run for 221 yards a game and give up 12 points, and the current ratings have their defense fourth. Their last two wins were close, 29-23 over Northwestern and 20-17 at Nebraska.
- Indiana won the last meeting. The Hoosiers beat Ohio State 13-10 last December. Kickoff is 12:00 PM ET.
The Number
The current ratings have Ohio State about three points better on a neutral field. Give Indiana two and a half for home field, and the Buckeyes are favored by less than a point. The board has Ohio State by three and a half, so the gap is a little over three points on Indiana.
The case against is obvious. Ohio State is the more talented team, and if most of its missing starters are back, three and a half may be fair. But two defenses this good make a field goal look large, and I’d rather have the points at home. Lean, Indiana. It’s a Game Pick, a lean, and like every pick we post, it lands on the receipts page win or lose.
In-Game Bets
- If Ohio State scores first. Don’t chase it. Indiana hasn’t given up more than 23 points all season.
- If it’s tied at halftime. Hold. Close games favor the team getting points.
- If Indiana leads by 10. Do nothing. A lean doesn’t need a second bet.
Bottom Line
Take Indiana plus three and a half at . Lean. The current ratings make this nearly a coin flip in Bloomington, and the board gives Indiana three and a half. Ohio State’s talent is why it’s only a lean.
Same-Game Parlay
One read in two legs. If Indiana covers, it’s most likely because its defense keeps Ohio State under its team total. Indiana has held all three of its last opponents under 26.5. No game-total leg passed our check, so this ticket has two legs. Both need the same afternoon, so this is one position, not two bets.
The angleIndiana's defense keeps Ohio State under its number.
Build it at FanDuel →FanDuel prices same-game parlays in its own builder, so there is no price here. Build the legs there and check the number before you place it.
Price: check your sportsbook for SGP pricing. Lines as posted Thursday at 4:00 PM ET; confirm them before you build the ticket. This parlay is a Game Pick.
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