Indiana State vs Indiana Odds
| Indiana State Odds | |
|---|---|
| Spread | Total |
+30.5 -115 | 45.5 -115 / -115 |
| Indiana Odds | |
|---|---|
| Spread | Total |
-30.5 -115 | 45.5 -115 / -115 |
Friday Night Lights. That's what we have here, folks.
Sure, this in-state matchup between Indiana State and Indiana may seem vanilla on paper, but there are plenty of storylines and angles we can examine in order to cash a ticket on Friday night.
So, let’s take a look at the odds and make a pick for Indiana State vs. Indiana in this college football betting preview for Friday, Sept. 8.
Indiana State Sycamores
The Sycamores and head coach Curt Mallory are coming off an abysmal start to their 2023 campaign. Indiana State got shut out at home, 27-0, against Eastern Illinois in Week 1 after turning the ball over a total of six times.
Mallory and company will be looking to quickly right the ship as the Sycamores head into Bloomington for what will be a highly emotional game for both teams. This emotion is derived from the fact that Indiana State's Mallory is the youngest son of the winningest coach in Indiana football history, Bill Mallory.
This close relationship and respect will be important to note in a game that is likely to get out of reach early.
Overall, Indiana State’s biggest question marks come on the offensive side of the ball. With quarterback Cade Chambers still “week-to-week,” the Sycamores turned to Gavin Screws and Evan Olaes to man the offense.
Screws started the game vs. Eastern Illinois but was replaced in garbage time by Olaes after throwing a pair of interceptions. Olaes was not much better in relief, throwing two picks of his own.
This poor quarterback play will have to turn around fast against an Indiana defense that generated a 19.7% Havoc percentage against an uber-talented Ohio State defense in Week 1.
The defensive side of the ball may be the only source of positivity for this Indiana State team. The Sycamores defense played well against Eastern Illinois despite the Panthers scoring four times as a direct result of Indiana State turnovers.
The Sycamores defense was led by redshirt sophomore Maddix Blackwell who racked up 11 total tackles, the first double-digit tackling performance of his career.
.@maddixblackwell has double-digit tackles tonight and now adds an interception to his name!
Sycamores take over at their own 40 following the 35-yard return#MarchOn | #LeaveNoDoubtpic.twitter.com/FF3aJVuQwH
— Indiana State Football (@IndStFB) September 1, 2023
Overall, Indiana State’s defense allowed Eastern Illinois to convert just five of its 12 third-down attempts and forced the Panthers into a turnover on downs on all three of their fourth-down tries.
Indiana’s offense presents a whole new level of competition for this Indiana State defensive unit, but the Hoosiers offense doesn’t come without questions after it failed to find the end zone in its first outing against Ohio State.
Indiana Hoosiers
Although Indiana didn't secure the upset it was looking for against Ohio State, head coach Tom Allen has a number of positives to build on, particularly on the defensive side.
Indiana’s defense kept the Hoosiers competitive into the second half against a talented Buckeyes offense by limiting explosive plays on the ground and through the air. Ohio State generated an explosiveness ranking of just 1.02, resulting in only 23 total points.
In particular, Indiana posted a 12.7% Havoc ranking from its defensive backs, Ohio State QB Kyle McCord threw for 239 yards with no touchdowns and one pick.
This level of play in the secondary is promising as the Hoosiers face an Indiana State offense with plenty of questions at the Quarterback position.
Offensively, Indiana left much to be desired as it recorded just one point per scoring opportunity and failed to find the end zone. Overall, the Hoosiers gained only eight first downs and 153 yards of total offense.
Although Indiana State will present a much easier test defensively, this lack of offensive production will certainly be a concern for Allen and his staff as their season unfolds.
Indiana State vs Indiana
Betting Pick & Prediction
This is an in-state matchup highlighted by two teams who left much to be desired on the offensive end in both of their openers.
Indiana State will look to limit turnovers on offense as it attempts to replace Chambers at quarterback, while Indiana will need a much higher level of production from signal-callers Brendan Sorsby and Tayven Jackson if it's to be competitive in the Big Ten this season.
Combine these offensive troubles with two head coaches who have zero desire to let this get out of hand, and we have all the makings of this matchup going under the posted total of 46.
Look for Indiana State to be competitive on defense and Indiana to shut things down once it gets a comfortable lead given the relationship between Allen and Mallory.
