Big 10 Championship preview and predictions

Indiana Hoosiers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes

Indiana's turnaround over the last two seasons is a story that really doesn't get talked about enough. 2023 saw them as one of the worst teams in the Big 10, last year they made it to the CFP, losing to Notre Dame in the first round, and this year they're 12-0. The Hoosiers are playing in the Big 10 title game with a chance to be the #1 seed in the CFP if they win, and even a loss against the Buckeyes would probably only drop them to the 3rd or 4th overall seed. Despite opening as a 5.5 underdog, the sportsbooks have improved their projections for the Hoosiers and now have them at +4. Indiana are 2nd in the nation in points scored per game, along with being ranked 2nd in points allowed per game. They're outscoring opponents by over 33 points per game on average, with their QB Fernando Mendoza leading the Heisman odds at +160.

As for the Buckeyes, they too are undefeated this season after winning the national championship last year. Just like Indiana, a loss in the championship game won't knock them out of the CFP, and probably wouldn't even cost them their ticket directly to the quarterfinals. The Buckeyes are outscoring their opponents by nearly 30 points per game, and their defense leads college football allowing just 7.8 points per game. Their QB Julian Saying is also still very much in the Heisman hunt at +200, and a good showing in this game could push him over the top. Ohio State has been perfect against Indiana in their last encounters, including handing them their only regular season loss last year. They'll need their solid defense if they want to stop the Hoosiers on Saturday.

The BetQL computer model predicts the Buckeyes will win in 62% of its simulations with a projected final score of 20-16. Our tip is to look at the under/over currently at 47.5. These teams are the best defenses in college football and we're not expecting a high score in this one, take the Under 47.5 currently at -105 on FanDuel Sportsbook.