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#133 Indiana +14.5 over Maryland 2:30 PM CT
Indiana played poorly last week struggling to beat Akron, a game that went to 4 overtimes. Nothing in the box score suggests that Indiana should have won but they did get it done to reach 2-2. Last week’s game was a bit of a flat spot after the game in Indianapolis against Louisville, a game the Hoosiers lost by seven with a late drive reaching the 1-yard-line. Indiana will look to end a long Big Ten losing streak this week, catching an inflated underdog price coming off last week’s shaky outcome. Indiana allowed just 23 points to Ohio State and 21 points to Louisville for strong showings against major conference teams that started the season 4-0. Indiana quarterback Tayven Jackson is also playing well with the fifth best QB Rating in the conference just behind Maryland’s acclaimed quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa. Maryland is 4-0 but last week the Terrapins didn’t have an impressive statistical profile despite an eventual 22-point win over Michigan State. Prior to that Maryland had to dig out of 14-0 holes against both Charlotte and Virginia as this team has been living dangerously and last week benefitted from five Michigan State turnovers to prevent a closer outcome against a Spartans team in shambles. Next on the schedule for Maryland is one of the biggest games of the season at Ohio State and Maryland memorably played the Buckeyes very tough last season, in a three-point game into the 4th quarter. Maryland is 1-6 S/U and ATS prior to playing Ohio State since 2015 including losing by 30, 37, and 31 points in the past three instances. Indiana isn’t capable of delivering that type of an outcome, but these teams are likely closer together as marginal Big Ten teams than the current valuations suggest.