Indiana vs. Ohio State: Picks & Predictions for CFB DFS
#5 Indiana vs. #2 Ohio State is the game of the weekend with so much at stake in the Big Ten, and for the College Football Playoff. For both teams, this could mean a Playoff appearance or not.
For #5 Indiana, it has been easy matchups for most of the year, but now it faces its first ranked opponent. For #2 Ohio State, the Buckeyes are facing adversity with another big injury, and now they have to face one of the best teams in the country.
We will give you four CFB DFS picks for this highly-anticipated Big Ten matchup between Indiana and Ohio State for PrizePicks and CFB DFS, featuring top players and their potential impact on the game, including projections for QBs Keith Rourke and Will Howard.
For more college football picks, don’t miss the Week 13 CFB Cheat Sheet for picks and predictions from the Saturday slate of college football games, and the other top 25 matchup this week: Army vs. Notre Dame.
#5 Indiana vs. #2 Ohio State CFB DFS Picks for PrizePicks
Here are the top CFB DFS picks for #5 Indiana vs. #2 Ohio State. Click to read more analysis on each pick.
- Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke 221.5 Passing Yards — Less
- Indiana RB TySon Lawton 33.5 Rushing Yards — Less
- Ohio State QB Will Howard 244.5 Passing Yards — Less
- Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson 54.5 Rushing Yards — More
#5 Indiana vs. #2 Ohio State: Time, How to Watch
Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Ohio Stadium: Columbus, Ohio
TV: FOX
Indiana comes into this game ranked #5 in the College Football Playoff Rankings after a 20-15 win against Michigan, to which Indiana only led by two for most of the fourth quarter. A loss would likely end their bid at a playoff spot with no signature wins. This is their one and only chance to impress the committee.
Ohio State comes in ranked #2 in the College Football Playoff Rankings after a 31-7 win against Northwestern, where it scored 31 unanswered points. The Buckeyes have one loss to #1 Oregon, and a second to a previously unproven Indiana team would eliminate them from the Big Ten championship and likely the Playoffs.
We can expect a defense-forward game here, especially in the first half, between two of the top defenses in the country by counting stats.
Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke 221.5 Passing Yards — Less
We got a little bit of a taste of how Indiana plays against an excellent defense. The Hoosiers last game against Michigan was one of their toughest defensive opponents, and it was one of Rourke’s worst performances, with a season-low 44.0 QBR and 60.7% completion rate.
Now he’s facing Ohio State's top-scoring defense that has only allowed more than 22 points three times since 2022: twice to Michigan and this year to Oregon. It’s also sixth in passing yards allowed per game (160.1) and seventh in PFF coverage grade (91.4).
The Hoosiers might have to try and rely on the ground game to move the ball.
Indiana RB TySon Lawton 33.5 Rushing Yards — Less
It’s too bad that Ohio State is even better against the run. The Buckeyes are coming into this game fourth in rushing yards allowed per game (90.7) and third in PFF run defense grade (93.5).
To get a gauge of how poorly this Indiana run game performs against excellent competition, you have to look at the game against Michigan. The Wolverines aren’t far behind with the Ohio State run defense, ranked 11th in rush yards per game (102.4) and sixth in run defense grade (93.1). In that game, when you take out Rourke’s negative runs, they only ran for 72 yards on 3.4 yards per carry.
Ohio State has played two teams inside the top 25 in rushing yards: Iowa ran for 116 yards, its second-lowest total, and Penn State ran for 120, which was its third-lowest.
Since Lawton has gotten back-to-back games with 10+ rushes (he had 12 last game), don’t look for him to get to double digits here, as he will not play a factor vs. this stout run defense.
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Ohio State QB Will Howard 244.5 Passing Yards — Less
The Buckeyes will be facing some adversity themselves in this game. They were already on their third-string left tackle, and the injuries keep piling up on the offensive line. This week in practice, center and future NFL prospect Seth McLaughlin tore his Achilles and is done for the year.
This impacts pass blocking and snap counts, but also Howard will be taking snaps from a center he hasn’t played with all season, and unfamiliarity could bring problems.
That could especially be true as they are going against an Indiana defense that has 31 sacks, which is seventh-most. The best way for the Buckeyes to get a win is by making this a low-scoring defensive battle where they can lean on the run game.
Indiana would be more confident if this ended up a shootout. That’s why Howard might not play that big of a factor in this game and have a minimal passing performance.
Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson 54.5 Rushing Yards — More
The Buckeyes also have a stellar backfield with two guys who can move the ball on the ground. TreVeyon Henderson has been their leader for a few seasons and, a couple of years ago, was considered one of the most talented players in the country.
He has taken a backseat this year to RB Quinshon Judkins. Although he isn’t getting as many carries, it’s allowed him to be more effective. In his last two seasons, he’s averaged 5.6 yards per carry. This year, he’s averaging 7.4, and the yards have been consistent, with at least 60 in nine of 11 games.
In Ohio State’s two biggest games this season, Henderson rushed for 54 yards (vs. Penn State) and 87 yards (vs. Oregon), with 10 carries in each.
Get Indiana vs. Ohio State Action on PrizePicks
The College Football Playoff committee will be paying close attention to Indiana vs. Ohio State, as neither team can afford to lose a game.
Use these picks and projections to help build your CFB lineup on PrizePicks — the easiest way to get in on the college football action. With PrizePicks, you can simply pick more or less on two or more players’ stat projections, add them to your lineup, and win up to 200x your money during this Big Ten matchup. There’s no salaries, no roster restrictions — just fun.
Keep coming back to The Playbook for more picks and analysis for CFB DFS all season long.
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