This weekend's clash between the Indiana Hoosiers and Ohio State Buckeyes has legitimate Game of the Year potential. These programs have won each of the last two National Championships, and have built up quite the rivalry over the past few seasons.
The Buckeyes have long been a national powerhouse, while Indiana's remarkable turnaround under Curt Cignetti has created plenty of hostility between the two fan bases. Saturday's contest is sure to be full of memorable moments and huge storylines.
Both Ohio State and Indiana are off to great starts this season, and on paper, this matchup is about as evenly matched as it gets. But professional oddsmakers are giving a slight edge to the visitors.
Indiana listed as slight underdogs against Ohio State
Betting odds for this Big Ten heavyweight clash have been released, and oddsmakers have the Buckeyes listed as the favorites. Via DraftKings Sportsbook, Ohio State is favored by 3.5-points over Indiana for Week 7.
Here is a look at the full betting odds for Indiana vs Ohio State:
Moneyline
Ohio State (-166)
Indiana (+140)
Spread
Ohio State -3.5 (-108)
Indiana +3.5 (-112)
Total
Over 51.5 (-108)
Under 51.5 (-112)
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
With Ohio State ranked as the No. 4 team in the country and Indiana right behind at No. 5, both programs have National Championship aspirations this season. This game will not only be huge for the Big Ten title race, but for the College Football Playoff picture as well.
The Hoosiers are comfortable as underdogs
This game was viewed as a pick'em back in the preseason, but through six weeks Ohio State has done enough to be favored heading into this highly-anticipated Week 7 battle. The argument can be made that Indiana should be the team that's favored, but being the underdogs is a role the Hoosiers are comfortable playing.
ALSO READ: Indiana snubbed from hosting College GameDay ahead of high-stakes Ohio State showdown
Over the past two seasons, Indiana wasn't expected to accomplish what it did. But Curt Cignetti and company continued to prove the doubters wrong time after time. The Cream and Crimson are coming off a perfect 16-0 season that culminated in a historic National Championship, and after starting this season 6-0, are riding a 22-game winning streak.
The betting odds reflect the challenge ahead, but they also create an opportunity for the Hoosiers to make a statement. The Hoosiers lost plenty of elite production to the NFL Draft this past spring, and have a rebuilt roster with a lot of new faces. Given that roster turnover, fans and analysts across the country didn't expect Indiana to be a national title contender again this season. They viewed last year as a flash in the pan and have been waiting for the Hoosiers to trip up.
But all Cignetti and Indiana have continued to do is win. Picking up a huge win over the 4th-ranked Buckeyes would make an impressive statement that would be impossible for the naysayers to ignore. Kick-off between the Hoosiers and Buckeyes is slated for Noon ET on Saturday in Bloomington.
Add us as a preferred source on Google