Indiana vs Ohio State Big Ten Championship Best Picks

The 2025 college football season has finally reached Championship Weekend, and Saturday’s slate features plenty of games that have real College Football Playoff implications. One of the biggest games on the Saturday slate comes in Indianapolis, where the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes will face off against second-ranked Indiana in a matchup between a pair of undefeated heavyweights at Lucas Oil Stadium. The ripples from this game will certainly be felt across the college football landscape, so let’s dive into our experts’ college football predictions and best bets for the Big Ten title game.

Indiana vs Ohio State Big Ten Championship Predictions

Pick #1: Indiana Hoosiers +4.5 vs Ohio State Buckeyes (-115) Click Here to Bet

Pick #2: Under 48 (-110) Click Here to Bet

Pick #3: Fernando Mendoza under 20.5 rushing yards (-114) Click Here to Bet

PICK #1: Indiana +4.5 over Ohio State (-115) Click Here to Bet

There isn’t a lot of motivation for either team to put forth its best effort in this game on paper. However, Indiana does not seem like the kind of operation to take things easy, especially with Curt Cignetti at the controls. There’s also an argument to be made that this could be a flat spot for an Ohio State team that certainly looks the part of a potential back-to-back National Champion, as the Buckeyes are finally coming off a win against Michigan for the first time since 2019. 

At the end of the day, both of these teams are excellent on both sides of the ball, and each team has terrific metrics across the board. However, the motivation angle should lie with the underdog Hoosiers in a spot in which their opponents have no incentive to be at their best. With that in mind, let’s grab the points with Indiana while this number is still slightly inflated. 

PICK #2: Under 48 (-110) Click Here to Bet

While either team could win this game, our expert is confident in the under cashing regardless of outcome. Both offenses should approach this contest from a methodical perspective, especially early on, as both teams get acclimated to playing their toughest opponent of the season to this point. Both of these offenses are among the most efficient in the country, and these teams are very good at limiting turnovers and penalties, which goes a long way into sustaining drives in a game like this. 

While these offenses are both very good and like to operate methodically, both of these defenses are elite, especially in the red zone. Each side is also among the best in the nation at preventing explosive plays, with both teams sitting inside the top 10 in allowing plays of over 20 yards. Given how well both defenses are playing and the magnitude of the game, points should be at a premium in this one.

PICK #3: Fernando Mendoza under 20.5 rushing yards (-114) Click Here to Bet

This is not going to be one of the more popular props on the board, but our expert doesn’t see Fernando Mendoza having much success on the ground in this one. After all, the Ohio State defense is arguably the best unit in the nation and it all starts up front for the Buckeyes. Ohio State should be able to contain Mendoza and make things hard on the veteran quarterback in the pocket. Don’t expect many rushing opportunities for the Heisman Trophy contender, and remember that all sacks count against rushing yards at the collegiate level, so it’s hard to see Mendoza exceeding this prop number on Saturday.