Week 13 of college football showcases a packed slate with 19 games featuring Top-25 teams. Among the standout matchups, No. 5 Indiana heads to Columbus to challenge No. 2 Ohio State, while No. 17 Army faces a tough test against No. 6 Notre Dame. The week promises intense competition as teams fight for playoff spots and secure invitations to coveted bowl games.
Ohio State enters this matchup with Indiana having already faced two top-five, unbeaten Big Ten opponents since mid-October. Unlike past seasons where the schedule seemed less challenging, the Buckeyes have proven themselves against elite competition, making them a formidable, well-prepared team for this battle with the Hoosiers.
The key isn’t whether Ohio State can handle Indiana—they’ve already faced teams like Oregon and Penn State with comparable passing attacks. Instead, the spotlight is on whether Indiana’s offense is ready to contend with the Buckeyes’ defense. While Michigan’s defense is the toughest Indiana has encountered so far, it doesn’t stack up to last season’s championship-caliber unit. On the other hand, Ohio State’s defense has faced top-tier offenses and ranks fifth in defensive efficiency, excelling against the pass with one of the best success rates in the nation. This presents a significant challenge for Indiana, which relies heavily on quarterback Rourke and its passing game despite a strong running attack.
Ryan Day’s Buckeyes have also been dominant at home, losing just two games in Columbus during his tenure—one each to Michigan and Oregon. Overall, Day has only dropped five regular-season contests since 2019, all to those same two programs. For Indiana to secure a monumental upset, they’ll need to achieve something few teams have under Day’s leadership.
With home-field advantage, superior experience, and a deeper roster, Ohio State is well-positioned to claim the win. Expect the Buckeyes to continue their strong season against a determined but overmatched Hoosiers squad.
The Fighting Irish have already dismantled one unbeaten service academy this college football season, routing Navy 51-14 at the Meadowlands on October 26. Quarterback Riley Leonard has hit his stride, leading a balanced Notre Dame offense loaded with depth at running back and wide receiver. On defense, the Irish are holding opponents to just 11 points per game. Their résumé includes impressive wins over Texas A&M, Louisville (who took down Clemson), and Georgia Tech (who upset Miami).
Army, on the other hand, faces questions about the strength of its schedule, ranked 137th by the Sagarin ratings. The Black Knights’ most notable win came against North Texas. Quarterback Bryson Daily ranks 13th nationally in all-purpose yards, and Army excels at sustaining long, clock-draining drives. Defensively, they’ve held opponents to 10 points or fewer in four of their last five games. However, the question remains: can their methodical, grind-it-out approach succeed against a team as talented as Notre Dame?
The Irish’s dominant performance against Navy (whose schedule ranks 96th) raises doubts about Army’s ability to compete. Notre Dame’s offense overwhelmed the Midshipmen, and the talent disparity is even more pronounced this week. While Army’s disciplined play and ball control could make things interesting, it’s hard to envision them keeping up with the version of Notre Dame we’ve seen over the past two months.
Notre Dame’s offense has been on a roll, putting up 31 or more points in six consecutive games, with the total going OVER in four of those matchups. Meanwhile, Army has seen mixed results, splitting its last eight games against the total. However, both teams boast elite defenses, and Army’s methodical, clock-consuming offensive style could slow the pace of the game significantly. Despite Notre Dame’s recent scoring surge, the UNDER appears to be the smarter play in this matchup.
Starting out in the betting industry, Henry later found his calling in sports writing. Specializing in soccer, golf, and darts, he also offers insights into a wide array of sports across the globe. After earning a BA Honors degree in Business and Management, Henry advanced through the ranks at William Hill in England. His career isn't just limited to sports; he's also made a mark in Property and Finance, fields in which he remains engaged. Henry now resides in Barcelona, where he enjoys playing golf year-round as part of the Real Federacion Espanola de Golf.