The Indiana Hoosiers rolled to a trio of non-conference wins over North Texas, Howard, and Western Kentucky to start the season. Indiana won those three games by an average of 43 points, and haven't allowed a single point in two straight games. But now the competition is slated to pick up with Big Ten play beginning in Week 4.
Week 4 Big Ten Power Rankings: Where each team stands heading into conference play
Indiana's first Big Ten matchup comes this Friday, September 25 against Northwestern. The Wildcats will head to Bloomington with a 2-0 record after beating South Dakota State and Colorado. This will be the first matchup between Indiana and Northwestern since October 5, 2024 when IU cruised to a 41-24 victory in Evanston.
Early Indiana vs Northwestern betting odds have been released, and Vegas is expecting the Hoosiers to keep the train rolling on Friday night at Memorial Stadium.
Indiana heavily favored in Big Ten opener vs Northwestern
Via DraftKings Sportsbook, the Hoosiers find themselves as 21-point favorites heading into this Big Ten matchup. With a three-touchdown spread, it's clear that oddsmakers give a huge advantage to Curt Cignetti's team. The total, or over/under, is listed at 49.5. Here is a closer look at the odds breakdown via DraftKings
Moneyline
Northwestern (+950)
Indiana (-1650)
Spread
Northwestern +21 (-110)
Indiana -21 (-110)
Total
Over 49.5 (-108)
Under 49.5 (-112)
The 21-point spread against Northwestern is the smallest of the season for Indiana, signaling just how lopsided its first three matchups have been. But despite outscoring their first three opponents 145-16, the Hoosiers are 0-3 against the spread to start the season.
Indiana was favored by 40.5 points against North Texas but won by 36. They were 56.5-point favorites over Howard and won by 55. Last week, Indiana was favored by 44.5 points against Western Kentucky, and won by 38. As a three-touchdown favorite on Friday night, it will be interesting to see what challenges are brought on by Indiana's toughest opponent of the young season.
Indiana looking to continue its Big Ten dominance under Curt Cignetti
The Hoosiers have reached unprecedented heights in the Cignetti era. That includes a remarkable run in Big Ten play. Indiana is an astounding 18-1 against Big Ten competition under Cignetti's leadership, which includes a win in last year's Big Ten Championship Game over Ohio State. Cignetti's lone conference loss came back in 2024 on the road at Ohio State, but he was able to get his revenge in Indianapolis last December.
Northwestern is now in Year 4 under head coach David Braun, and he shook up his coaching staff over the offseason. Braun brought in Chip Kelly to be his offensive coordinator and Jerry Neuheisel to be his QB coach. The Wildcats have scored 34 and 41 points through their first two games, but going up against Indiana's vaunted defense will be their toughest test yet.
Kick-off between the Hoosiers and Wildcats is slated for 8 p.m. ET on Friday night.
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