After playing nine games in nine weeks to start the season, the Indiana Hoosiers get a much-needed bye week in Week 10 of the college football season. The Hoosiers now have a chance to rest and heal up before taking on the USC Trojans in Week 11 on November 14.
While the Cream and Crimson are enjoying a well-deserved bye week, betting odds for the USC game have already been released. The Trojans are ranked No. 20 in the first College Football Playoff ranking released earlier this week, and are also on a bye week this weekend.
Oddsmakers are giving Indiana the edge, but there is one big question that still looms over this matchup: Who will be Indiana's starting quarterback?
Indiana's QB situation in flux leading up to USC matchup
Josh Hoover has been dealing with an undisclosed injury since the Ohio State game, and it was clear last weekend against Minnesota that he was not 100% healthy. Hoover was eventually benched at halftime with Grant Wilson leading the IU offense the rest of the way.
Wilson made the most of his opportunity, as he completed 9 of his 17 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown. The Hoosiers scored 16 points with Wilson under center, compared to just 7 points with Hoover. Hoover was off from the start, completing just 8 of his 19 pass attempts for 119 yards with a touchdown and interception.
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Cignetti is keeping his starting QB choice for Week 11 close to the vest, and it's quite possible that he doesn't know who he will go with at this point in time. Hoover is still nursing an injury, and his health obviously plays a key role in Cignetti's decision.
It goes without saying that Cignetti's decision is sure to make headlines whenever it is made. Along with having a big impact on the field, Cignetti's QB decision could also have an effect on the betting odds. As it stands, here is a look at the full Indiana vs USC betting odds via DraftKings Sportsbook:
Moneyline
USC (+225)
Indiana (-275)
Spread
USC +7.5 (-115)
Indiana -7.5 (-115)
Total
Over 49.5 (-110)
Under 49.5 (-110)
Despite Indiana's QB situation, it's clear that oddsmakers have plenty of faith in Indiana's ability to find the win column against USC. But depending on how Indiana's QB decision shakes out, the odds can fluctuate up until kick-off.
Ultimately, Cignetti has to decide which quarterback gives his team the best chance to win. With so much up in the air entering the bye week, Indiana's ability to overcome the uncertainty at quarterback could be the deciding factor in this matchup. If the Hoosiers can get consistent production from either Hoover or Wilson, they should have a strong opportunity to live up to the expectations set by oddsmakers. However, if either Indiana QB struggles to find a rhythm, USC could capitalize.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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