The Big Ten has had multiple big clashes this season, but none could be more exciting than the No. 5 ranked Indiana Hoosiers (10-0) heading into Columbus to face the No. 2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes (9-1) on Saturday.
For Indiana, this is the first time in over 57 years the Hoosiers have been listed in the AP poll with a top-five ranking. Indiana has smoked its competition, winning games by an average of 30 points each time. Their only victory with a single-digit winning margin came in their last outing against Michigan.
Ohio State is in a similar situation, but the Buckeyes have faced two top-five challengers already this season. The Buckeyes fell in in their first matchup against the Oregon Ducks while Ohio State vanquished the Penn State Nittany Lions later in the year.
Will Indiana’s dream season continue, or are the Buckeyes ready to deliver nightmares to these Hoosiers? We’ll discuss that and our top three player prop bets from Saturday’s contest below.
Ohio State Buckeyes QB Will Howard OVER 250.5 Passing Yards
When you have a strong running game – and Ohio State does – your quarterback doesn’t need to throw for 300 yards every game to win. Will Howard, who is in his first year as the Buckeyes signal-caller, has exceeded 300 yards only once this season.
More often, Howard is hovering around the 250 mark. Only four times this season has the quarterback exceeded 250 yards, and still, the Buckeyes are winning contests by more than 25 points on average.
Expect him to exceed that total on Saturday, however. Indiana’s defense ranks among the best in the nation, and the Hoosiers have allowed only one quarterback in the past six games to eclipse the mark. Howard will become the second person to join this list after this matchup.
Indiana Hoosiers RB Ty Son Lawton OVER 34.5 Rushing Yards
The Hoosiers have been dominant offensively this season, having a running back duo in Ty Son Lawton and Justice Ellison that have combined for more than 1,190 rushing yards through 10 games.
Expect the senior Lawton to have a strong day on Saturday. The 5-foot-9 student-athlete has eclipsed this rushing yard mark in all but one game this season, a 47-10 blowout over Michigan State. He’ll do so again on Saturday.
Ohio State Buckeyes WR Jeremiah Smith OVER 77.5 Receiving Yards
The Buckeyes passing game has been strong this season with Jeremiah Smith looking to be the cream of the freshmen crop. In 10 games, he’s averaging 86.5 yards per outing, hauling in 49 passes and nine touchdowns this season.
Indiana has been susceptible to big wide receivers despite being a strong pass-defense team. Expect Smith to continue that trend and finish the contest with at least 80 yards and a score against the Hoosiers.
Best Bet: Indiana (+10.5)
The Hoosiers have been disrespected for much of the season, so there’s little doubt this line is anything less than a continuation of that. Indiana is among the nation’s best defensive squads with their experienced senior-heavy roster.
There’s little reason to believe the undefeated squad won’t continue their efforts against the elite Ohio State talent. This game will remain within a score throughout as Ohio State wins a close one Saturday.
