It’s actually how you’re supposed to do it. Without any true preseason games like NFL teams get, why wouldn’t you play North Texas, Howard, and Western Kentucky to start the season?
Indiana (3-0) rolled through those three without breaking the slightest sweat, but it hasn’t been battle-tested in any way other than what it has seen in its own practices.
Northwestern (2-0) isn’t even on the radar. It was a bit of a fight to get past South Dakota State, and then came a big test when Coach Prime and Colorado came to Evanston. One 41-7 win later, the Wildcats are now on to Bloomington.
- There are few Big Ten teams that Northwestern has relatively owned. It’s 47-36-1 all-time against Indiana, but lost to Cignetti’s 2024 team 41-24.
- Indiana has to go on the road for three of the next four games, starting with Rutgers next week.
Northwestern hosts Penn State next in the grand reopening of Ryan Field before getting a relative breather against Ball State.
There are few Big Ten teams that Northwestern has relatively owned. It’s 47-36-1 all-time against Indiana, but lost to Cignetti’s 2024 team 41-24.
Indiana has to go on the road for three of the next four games, starting with Rutgers next week.
Northwestern hosts Penn State next in the grand reopening of Ryan Field before getting a relative breather against Ball State.
Date: Friday, September 25, 2026
Game Time: 8:00 PM ET
TV: FOX
Location: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN
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– CFN Expert Picks Week 4
The Wildcats do what they do. They don’t turn the ball over, run well, and Michigan State transfer Aidan Chiles has been fabulous so far, completing 67% of his passes with four scores and plenty of big plays. Chiles has been around the block long enough to have no problem with the big stage.
The key will be the takeaways. Northwestern made the Colorado game a laugher by forcing four turnovers. Indiana hasn’t had a turnover issue, with just one in the first three games, but it hasn’t been pressed.
The Hoosiers are about as tuned up as a great team can be. There wasn’t a lick of drama in any of the three games. Indiana spent its time getting the timing down, breaking in new quarterback Josh Hoover, and doing everything just about flawlessly.
The Indiana defense will bring the pressure from the start. The front should keep Chiles from doing anything on the move.
Indiana does what Northwestern needs to do, only better. Yeah, the three-game stretch of scrimmages allowed everything to come into place for the Hoosiers, but most impressively, there weren’t any real mistakes. IU is second in the nation in fewest penalty yards, and again, there’s been just one turnover.
Chiles can hit the big play, but only West Virginia is completing bigger shots than Indiana – Josh Hoover is averaging 17.5 yards per completion. Northwestern will be good, but Indiana will be much, much better.
This is when Indiana starts the 2026 college football season.
Indiana 38, Northwestern 16
Latest Consensus Line: Indiana -21.5, o/u: 49.5
ATS Confidence (out of 5): 3
Must See Rating (out of 5): 3
Consensus line based on BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. 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.
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