The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Indiana Hoosiers meet Saturday in college football action from the Rock. Ohio State managed to go 11-2 overall last year, ultimately making it to the CFP Semifinal Peach Bowl before a close loss to Georgia. As for Indiana, they had a rough year at 4-8 during the 2022 run, finishing near the bottom of the East Division in the Big Ten. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Ohio State 

Ohio State matched their win total from the previous year in 2022, going 11-2 overall and 8-1 in Big Ten play. That would put the Buckeyes in second place among an ultra-competitive East Division (Michigan was 9-0 and beat Ohio State on November 26). In the Peach Bowl the Buckeyes would end up falling to Georgia 42-41. 

Heading into 2023, Ohio State should once again be among the top echelon of college football talent alongside Georgia and Alabama. The Buckeyes should also once again be an elite offensive talent—even without CJ Stroud—thanks to receivers like Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka and Julian Fleming. Miyan Williams and TreVeyon Henderson will keep things moving on the ground as well. 

Ohio State Buckeyes Team Facts

Ohio State has won each of its last 30 games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Ohio State has covered the spread in five of its last six September road games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Ohio State has won the first half in 29 of its last 36 games against conference opponents.
Ohio State has won the first quarter in eight of its last nine games against conference opponents.
Each of Ohio State’s last six games as a favorite against Indiana have gone OVER the total points line.

Indiana Hoosiers

Over on the Indiana side, they’re in quite a different place with their program right now. The Hoosiers are looking to bounce back from a pretty ugly season in 2022, when the team went just 4-8 with a 2-7 Big Ten record. The Hoosiers finished ahead of only Rutgers (1-8) in the East Division, but to be fair their schedule was packed with some of the best teams in the country. 

Indiana is currently 6-19 in their last 25 games, and they haven’t had a bowl win since 1991. The Hoosiers went through a near-complete overhaul in the offseason, which could be seen as a good thing. Indiana has a reasonable shot at winning five or six games this season but for now it’s probably better to focus on the potential stars like transfer backs Christian Turner and Josh Henderson. 

Indiana Hoosiers Team Facts

Indiana has lost each of its last nine games against AP-ranked teams.
Indiana has failed to cover the spread in eight of its last nine games against AP-ranked teams.
Indiana has lost the first half in three of its last four games against conference opponents.
Each of the last six games between Ohio State and Indiana have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

Indiana was one of only six FBS teams to win 3+ games when trailing after Q3 last season.
Indiana was one of only 14 FBS teams to lose 3+ games when leading at HT last season.
Ohio State ranked 1st among FBS teams for Q1 points per game last season (13.0).
Ohio State ranked 1st among FBS teams for Q3 points per game last season (11.5).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ve got to stay with Ohio State I suppose. This probably isn’t a great game to mess with, however. On paper the Buckeyes will roll in this one, and considering it’s the first game the team may call off the proverbial dogs early and let Indiana get back in cover range during garbage time. Ohio State should dominate on both sides, however. Their offensive line is once again strong (even with the losses) thanks to NFL-level guys like Matthew Jones and Donovan Jackson. Defensively Ohio State isn’t quite as strong as the O, but this year’s group is experienced and should still be able to contain everything Indiana throws their way. If they play to their capabilities the Buckeyes shouldn’t have too many issues in this opener.