Taking Indiana football with the points against Ohio State? Numerous analysts say yes.

The Indiana football program opens its 2023 season on Saturday against No. 3 Ohio State — a difficult task in itself. Add in the question marks surrounding the quarterback position and other position battles still ongoing, and Indiana has more questions than answers.

Indiana has lost 27 consecutive games against Ohio State, including four of the last five by at least four touchdowns. The opening spread for Saturday’s matchup didn’t do Indiana any favors either.

The Hoosiers opened up as 30-point underdogs.

So, for the betting crowd out there, should you take Indiana with the points? Or, go towards Ohio State. A trio of national analysts think taking Indiana is the move.

Rivals national analysts Adam Gorney, John Garcia and Corey Gibson discussed numerous opening-weekend spreads, including the Indiana line on The Mush – A College Football Betting Podcast.

“Indiana has a better quarterback than Ohio State for the first time than maybe the history of this game,” Rivals National Recruiting Director Adam Gorney said. “Tayven Jackson is very good … They (Indiana) aren’t going to win and may not keep it close and Ohio State may lay it pretty thick into the second half. But, I could see a 35-7 game, 42-14 game and they get under the wire. The money is actually floating in on Indiana here, the public thinks the number is too high.”

All three of Gorney, Garcia and Gibson went with Indiana and the points.

While Jackson has not officially been named the starter publicly, the national perspective is that Jackson will be the starter come Saturday. He and fellow redshirt freshman Brendan Sorsby have been in a heavy position battle dating back to the spring.

Like the Indiana football program, Ohio State had a quarterback battle as well. A starter wasn’t named until this week, when OSU head coach Ryan Day announced junior Kyle McCord would take the field first.

More: Indiana Football Week 1 Stock Report: Who’s trending up? Who’s trending down?

So, it’s an interesting point from Gorney when he says Indiana has the better quarterback.

McCord has started once in his career, back in 2021. He threw for 319 yards and one touchdown in a 59-7 win over Akron.

For his career, McCord has a completion percentage of 70.6. He has thrown for 606 total yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

On the flip side, Jackson has completed three passes for 22 yards and rushed four times for 10 yards and a touchdown in his lone collegiate season.

Indiana and Ohio State kick at 3:30 pm ET on CBS.

You can watch the full podcast here.

SEE ALSO: Podcast: Talkin’ Bout The Hoosiers Episode 1 – Indiana football season preview is here … expectations and more!

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