How to Bet on Ohio State at Indiana College Football Week 1 Odds

Ohio State and Indiana take the somewhat unusual step of opening conference play in the very first game of the season, as the Buckeyes travel to Bloomington to take on the Hoosiers on Thursday, August 31. The Buckeyes head into College Football Week 1 as the betting favorites against the Terrapins. Right now, the Buckeyes sit as 18 ½-point favorites in this road tilt. One reason why so many college squads avoid opening the season with a conference opponent is that there are usually some bugs to work out on both sides of the ball, and they do not want to risk an early loss that would influence their place in the conference standings. As you consider your college football betting for the early part of the season, here is some advice from us about how to handle this game.

How to Bet on Ohio State at Indiana College Football Week 1 Odds & Analysis

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When: Thursday, August 31st. 8pm ET Where: The Rock, Bloomington, Indiana TV: ESPN Radio: 97.1 The Fan (Ohio State) / 107.5 FM (Indiana) Live Stream: WatchESPN College Football Week 1 Odds: OSU -20½

Brief Game Analysis

Last season, the Buckeyes rolled to a 38-17 win. However, the biggest news in this matchup going in is that Ohio State has added a new offensive coordinator, Kevin Wilson. Wilson left Indiana under a cloud of scandal, as the university fired him on the basis of allegations that he had abused players under his direction. Apparently that sort of mess didn’t cause Urban Meyer to blink an eye up in Columbus, because he signed Wilson to come up and run his offense before the ink on Wilson’s termination papers was dry. So the Hoosiers should have plenty of motivation to come out firing against the Buckeyes. Ohio State has the challenge of opening with a new offense — and Indiana will have some familiarity with the scheme that Wilson brings in. Ohio State did put up 77 points in their opener a year ago, but that opponent was Bowling Green. There is another advantage to consider for both teams in this game. By playing on a Thursday, they have a few extra days to learn from their experiences in Week 1 before taking on their second opponent of the season — which in the case of Ohio State means an Oklahoma team coming to town bent on revenge for the shellacking that Ohio State brought them down in Norman a year ago.

What Can We Expect from the Hoosiers Defense?

The strengths on Indiana’s defense are their defensive backs and their linebackers. So if J.T. Barrett doesn’t take his time on his throws, the Hoosiers have the talent to pick some of his throws back and head the other way. The linebackers have the speed to pursue the Buckeyes’ running game, sideline to sideline, and keep big plays from breaking out. The big question, though, for Indiana, comes on the defensive line. They just don’t have that sort of big-name talent that Ohio State will see from some of their other conference opponents, such as Michigan, Penn State and Wisconsin. So Barrett should have plenty of time in the pocket — and there aren’t any defenses in the country that can handle letting the opposing quarterback dance around in the pocket for five, six or seven seconds before having to get rid of the ball. Also, if the line can’t shut down that Ohio State running attack, the back seven will be exhausted midway through the third quarter, because they just won’t be able to get the Ohio State offense off the field.

Ohio State vs Indiana Brief History

• Games Played: 89
• Current Streak: Ohio State with 21 wins (1991-2016)
• Largest Margin of Victory: Ohio State 56-0 (1957)
• Longest Winning Streak: Ohio State 23 (1960-1986)

Latest Results from This Series

• October 8th, 2016. Columbus, OH. Ohio State 38 Indiana 17
• October 3rd, 2015. Bloomington, IN. Ohio State 34 Indiana 27
• November 22nd, 2014. Columbus, OH. Ohio State 42 Indiana 27
• November 23rd, 2013. Columbus, OH. Ohio State 42 Indiana 14
• October 13th, 2012. Bloomington, IN. Ohio State 52 Indiana 49
• November 5th, 2011. Columbus, OH. Ohio State 34 Indiana 20
• October 9th, 2012. Columbus, OH. Ohio State 38 Indiana 10

Latest College Football Betting Trends

Ohio State Buckeyes

• Odds to Win the 2018 Championship: +450
• Odds to Win Big Ten Conference: +140
• 2017-18 Regular Season Wins: O 10½ -160 / U 10½ +130

Indiana Hoosiers

• Odds to Win the 2018 Championship: +40000
• Odds to Win Big Ten Conference: +5000
• 2017-18 Regular Season Wins: O 6 -110 / U 6 -120

Final Ohio State vs. Indiana College Football Week 1 Prediction

I see this game opening with more of a grinding style, as both teams sniff each other out for weaknesses. The emotional high that Indiana will bring into this game will carry them through the first half. They might even scoop up an Ohio State fumble and return it for a touchdown, and they might even have a slight halftime lead, but I see the Buckeyes going into the locker room with a slight edge. After the intermission, the talent gap on the lines will make itself known, and Indiana will slowly give way. Ohio State will put up another touchdown or two before the floodgates open in the fourth quarter. My final score prediction is Ohio State 38, Indiana 17.