After breezing through the non-conference slate with wins over North Texas, Howard, and Western Kentucky, the Indiana Hoosiers faced a tough battle in the Big Ten opener against Northwestern. The Wildcats gave the Hoosiers all they could handle, and nearly pulled off a monumental upset.
After escaping with a hard-fought win, Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers are now set for their first road game of the season in Week 5 against Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights are off to a 1-3 start, which includes a shocking loss to UMass in the season opener. The lone Rutgers win this season came this past weekend in a 58-7 route of Howard.
Early Indiana vs Rutgers betting odds have been released, and Vegas is expecting the Hoosiers to find the win column in emphatic fashion. Despite being massive favorites, one big question remains: Can Indiana cover the spread for the first time this season?
Professional oddsmakers expect Indiana to roll against Rutgers
Via DraftKings Sportsbook, the Hoosiers are listed as 24.5-point favorites heading into this Week 5 matchup in Piscataway. As three-touchdown favorites, it's clear that professional oddsmakers have plenty of faith in Indiana's ability to put forth a convincing performance against a lesser opponent. The total, or over/under, is listed at 55.5. Here is a closer look at the full betting odds for Indiana vs Rutgers.
Moneyline
Indiana (-2400)
Rutgers (+1200)
Spread
Indiana -24.5 (-102)
Rutgers +24.5 (-118)
Total
Over 55.5 (-115)
Under 55.5 (-105)
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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Indiana looking to cover the spread for the first time this season
During the Cignetti era in Bloomington, Indiana has been among the best teams in the country when it comes to covering the spread. Cignetti went 9-4 against the number in his first season in 2024, and then posted a record of 10-6 against the spread during Indiana's perfect 16-0 season that culminated in a National Championship last season. Thus, he entered his third season with an impressive mark of 19-10 against the spread.
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However, Cignetti and the Hoosiers have yet to cover the spread through four games in 2026. Indiana was favored by 40.5 points against North Texas in Week 1 and won by 36. In Week 2, the Hoosiers were massive 56.5-point favorites over Howard and barely missed covering the spread with a 55-0 win. Week 3 saw Indiana win by 38 points as 44.5-point favorites over Western Kentucky. Then last Friday, the Hoosiers were 21.5-point favorites over Northwestern and managed to escape with a 9-point victory.
Given Cignetti's impeccable track record of success at Indiana, it could be only a matter of time before the Hoosiers cover the spread this season. Saturday presents a great opportunity, as Rutgers has been among the worst Big Ten teams over the past few seasons, and has already suffered brutal losses to UMass and Boston College at home this season.
This will be Indiana's first time going up against Rutgers in the Cignetti era. Kick-off between the Hoosiers and Scarlet Knights is set for 8 p.m. ET on Saturday night.
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