Indiana vs Northwestern Prediction: Are the Hoosiers Ready For a Real Opponent?

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.

Indiana vs Northwestern: Quick Hits

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.

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How To Watch Indiana vs Northwestern

Date: Friday, September 25, 2026
Game Time: 8:00 PM ET
TV: FOX
Location: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN
– Week 4 Schedule & Predictions
– CFN Expert Picks Week 4

Why Northwestern Will Win

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.

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Why Indiana Will Win

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…

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Publish date : 2026-09-23 02:27:00

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