Hoosiers are brilliant
Typically a basketball school, Indiana is making a serious mark in the CFB world this season. Led by head coach Curt Cignetti who just signed an extension, the Hoosiers haven’t lost once and truly have one of the best teams in the country on both sides of the ball. Indiana is 22nd in total yards and 2nd in points, scoring 43.9 per game.
They’ve beaten several solid opponents in 2024, including UCLA, Maryland, Washington, and Michigan. The leader of the pack for the Hoosiers is Canadian QB Kurtis Rourke. He’s completed 71.8% of his passes for 2,410 yards and 21 touchdowns against four interceptions. The Indiana offensive line has also been fantastic in front of him. Rourke has been sacked just 10 times.
While Indiana does have an effective running back duo in Justice Ellison and Ty Son Lawton who have combined for 18 touchdowns and over 1,000 yards on the ground, the WR room is the biggest strength. Five different players have at least 24 receptions, led by Elijah Sarratt. He’s reeled in 38 catches for 685 yards and six touchdowns, which leads the Hoosiers. The visitors are a huge underdog at online betting sites and have never beaten Ohio State in 31 meetings. But, this is a much different Indiana team as the past. Anything is possible given the way they’re playing.
Ohio State a force again
Ohio State loses players to the NFL draft every single year yet always manage to replenish their talent and remain a force in the college football world. It’s been no different in ‘24, sitting as the No. 2 program in the country heading into Week 13 and one of the favorites to win the College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes have won four straight and own a perfect 6-0 record on home soil.
Ryan Day’s group is averaging 37.8 PPG and has scored 76 points across the last two games. Quarterback Will Howard completed 15 of 24 passes for 247 yards against Northwestern for two touchdowns. OSU outgained their opponents 420-251 and showed a ton of defensive resiliency again. They’re allowing only 10.3 points per contest and allow the sixth-fewest total yards in the nation.
Since they’ve already lost once, Ohio State must win this game in order to stay alive for the Big Ten Championship Game. While that’s not a priority to be in because they’re already going to be in the College Football Playoff, it would be nice to capture the conference title. The Buckeyes are a 12.5-point favorite on Saturday at Sports Interaction.
Indiana vs Ohio State injury news
The Buckeyes are going to be down two starting offensive linemen in front of Howard, which could play a factor here. Indiana’s defensive front is very good, with Mikail Kamara leading the country in quarterback pressures. The Hoosiers meanwhile have a relatively clean bill of health for this Big Ten showdown.
