Curt Cignetti and Indiana have faced little resistance early on in the 2026 college football season. The Hoosiers won their first three games of the season against North Texas, Howard, and Western Kentucky by a combined score of 145-16, and have posted back-to-back shutouts. But now comes Big Ten play.
Indiana begins Big Ten conference play with a home matchup against the Northwestern Wildcats on Friday night in Bloomington. The Hoosiers enter the contest ranked No. 5 in the AP Top-25 Poll, while Northwestern is unranked and holding a 2-0 record with wins over South Dakota State and Colorado. With kick-off drawing nearer, here is a look at all of the crucial information you need to know for this matchup.
How to watch Indiana vs. Northwestern
If you won't be attending the game in person at Memorial Stadium, the best way to watch the action unfold is on FOX. The broadcast crew will consist of Connor Onion (play-by-play), Robert Griffin III (analyst), and Alexa Landestoy (sideline reporter). Kickoff is set to 8 p.m. ET.
Indiana vs. Northwestern betting odds
A lot has been made about Indiana's non-conference schedule. The Hoosiers dominated a trio of lesser opponents, which has drawn the ire from college football fans across the country. But still, professional oddsmakers are giving the reigning national champs a big edge in the Big Ten opener.
As of this publishing, the Hoosiers are favored by three touchdowns over the Wildcats. As a 21-point favorite, Indiana has lopsided moneyline odds of -1800 to find the win column on Friday night. On the other side, Northwestern has moneyline odds of +1000 to pull off a significant upset. The total, or over/under, is listed at 49.5.
Moneyline:
Northwestern +1000
Indiana -1800
Spread:
Northwestern +21 (-110)
Indiana -21 (-110)
Total:
Over 49.5 (-108)
Under 49.5 (-112)
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Indiana vs. Northwestern series history
The Hoosiers and Wildcats are no strangers to one another. Indiana and Northwestern have met a total of 84 times on the gridiron, with the Wildcats owning a 47-36-1 advantage in the all-time series. The last meeting came back on October 5, 2024 in Evanston, with Indiana rolling to a 41-24 victory.
Indiana Football injury report
The Hoosiers have been battling a handful of injuries early on this season. Via the first availability report of the week, three Indiana players have already been ruled out for this contest: DB Carson Williams, WR Lebron Bond, and RB Khobie Martin. Furthermore, CB AJ Harris is currently listed as doubtful.
Three more Hoosiers, DL Stephen Daley, DL Kellan Wyatt, and K Nico Radicic are all listed as questionable. Daley and Wyatt aren't injured, but are instead currently waiting for their eligibility rulings. Radicic is dealing with a back issue.
Indiana vs. Northwestern players to watch
Northwestern: QB Aidan Chiles
Northwestern QB Aidan Chiles is looking to take a big step forward this season. Chiles showed flashes of electricity over his two seasons as the starter at Michigan State, but he never quite reached his full potential. He is now in a new position with a new coaching staff that includes offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, and through two games, Chiles has looked solid. In total, he's completed 31 of his 46 pass attempts for 514 yards and 4 touchdowns with zero interceptions.
Indiana: RB Turbo Richard
Hoosier RB Turbo Richard is off to a scorching start this season. Through three games, Richard has cemented himself as Indiana's RB1 by rushing for 315 yards, 7.7 yards per carry, and 4 touchdowns. His 315 yards on the ground are good for 4th in the entire country. With Khobie Martin out and Lee Beebe Jr struggling a bit with consistency, Richard figures to see the bulk of the workload in this one.
Indiana vs. Northwestern score prediction
Indiana is favored by three touchdowns for a reason, but it will be interesting to see how this contest unfolds. Indiana hasn't faced many challenges through three games, and Northwestern is an intriguing team. A revamped coaching staff with Kelly as offensive coordinator and Jerry Neuheisel as QB coach has already led to offensive improvements for the Wildcats. The crowd at Memorial Stadium is sure to be rocking, and they should go home happy with a Hoosier victory. But don't be surprised if Northwestern hangs around for a bit. Indiana wins 34-17.
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