No. 4 Ohio State Visits No. 5 Indiana as 3-0 Big Ten Leaders Clash

Q: Why is defending champion Indiana a home underdog in today's historic top-five showdown despite riding a 22-game winning streak?

Indiana is a home underdog because oddsmakers are pricing matchup strength and roster-level explosiveness more than résumé or streaks. Ohio State has the nation’s more feared ceiling on offense. The Buckeyes are averaging 42.7 points and 503.7 yards per game, and the Julian Sayin-Jeremiah Smith connection is the biggest reason the line leans their way. Sayin has 17 touchdown passes against two interceptions, while Smith already has 916 yards and 11 scores. Indiana’s defense has been excellent overall, but several previews noted a vulnerability to explosive pass plays and a completion rate allowed that Ohio State is built to attack. The market also appears to trust Ohio State’s talent profile and road-tested pedigree. The Buckeyes’ only loss was a one-point collapse at Texas after leading 23-3 in the fourth quarter, and they have since won four straight. Bettors and analysts have treated that as stronger evidence than Indiana’s unbeaten record against a schedule that, until now, had not included a ranked opponent. That does not mean Indiana is being dismissed. The Hoosiers have won 22 straight, are 19-0 at home under Curt Cignetti, lead the Big Ten in several defensive categories, and beat Ohio State 13-10 in last year’s Big Ten title game. But point spreads are predictive, not reward systems. The number suggests bookmakers see Ohio State’s elite passing game, overall roster depth, and revenge angle as slightly more bankable than Indiana’s streak, title status, and home field.

3 articles · Updated · FOX Sports · Oct 13

Saturday’s noon ET matchup in Bloomington pits the Big Ten’s only unbeaten conference teams besides UCLA, with both Ohio State and Indiana at 3-0 in league play.
Indiana enters 6-0 as the defending national champion after beating Ohio State 13-10 in last December’s Big Ten title game, while the Buckeyes are 5-1 and have won four straight since a 24-23 collapse at Texas.
42.7 points and 503.7 yards per game have powered Ohio State, led by quarterback Julian Sayin’s 1,772 yards and 17 touchdowns and receiver Jeremiah Smith’s 916 yards and 11 scores.
Indiana counters with 40.2 points per game, Josh Hoover’s 17 touchdown passes without an interception, and a defense that has allowed just 71 points in six games.
Oddsmakers still make Ohio State a 3.5-point road favorite, with the total set at 50.5 and Indiana at +140 on the moneyline.