Indiana vs. Ohio State: Spread Info, Line, BCS Impact and Predictions

The Indiana Hoosiers have lost six games in a row, and they could very well make it seven on the road against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday.

When we last saw the Buckeyes, they were pulling out a shocking 33-29 upset over the once-mighty Wisconsin Badgers.

Suddenly, they are alive in the race for the Big Ten, and will be looking to nab an easy conference victory over a bad Indiana team.

Will they get it? Read on to find out.

Where: Ohio Stadium

When: Saturday at 12:00 p.m. ET

Watch: Big Ten Network

Spread: Ohio State -28, according to Sportsbook.

Indiana is a really bad football team, but I wonder if this spread might be too big. Since blowing out Akron in Week 1, Ohio State hasn't won any game by more than 20 points. That said, Indiana has allowed more than 40 points in four straight games, and Ohio State just beat Wisconsin.

One can see where the oddsmakers are coming from.

Over/Under: 52 points, according to Sportsbook.

It will be up to the Buckeyes to get the bulk of these, as the Hoosiers don't score much and they allow a lot of points to be scored against them.

But, once again, I'm skeptical. Though they just scored 33 points against Wisconsin, the Buckeyes are not a very strong offensive team.

Key Injuries

According to USA Today, the Hoosiers have a couple of injured players with iffy statuses for Saturday's contest.

Safeties Jarrell Drane and Donnell Jones are both questionable with ankle injuries, and linebacker Jeff Thomas (shoulder) and center Will Matte (knee) are both probable. Thomas and Matte are expected to be ready.

The Buckeyes don't have any injuries to report, but running back/kick returner Jaamal Berry was suspended on Wednesday after being charged with assault and disorderly conduct. The Cleveland Plain Dealer claims Berry could miss the rest of the regular season.

BCS/Top 25 Implications

Ohio State might be able to crack the BCS Top 25 in the near future, but I doubt that a win over Indiana would do the trick. The BCS computers don't like the Big Ten, and a home win over Indiana is not going to impress them.

However, the Buckeyes are still alive in the race to win the Big Ten's Leaders division. If they manage to win it, they'll go to the Big Ten Championship Game, which is essentially a door to the Rose Bowl.

Keys to Indiana Win

Priority No. 1 will be limiting Buckeyes running back Dan Herron, who has provided Ohio State with a shot in the arm since returning from a suspension. He's been back for two games, and has gained over 100 yards in both of them.

If the Hoosiers can limit Herron, Braxton Miller will have to step up, and that's not necessarily a good thing.

Keys to Ohio State Win

Take everything I just said and turn it around. Herron needs to gain yards, and he likely will against a Hoosiers defense that has already allowed over 2,000 rushing yards this season. They rank dead-last in the country in rushing defense.

Prediction: Ohio State 35, Indiana 14

The Buckeyes are going to win this game. It's just a matter of how many points they win it by.

As you can see, I don't think they're going to cover, and the two teams will be shy of the 52-point mark. If you want 'em, there's my two cents.