The Howard Bison take on the Indiana Hoosiers in Bloomington, IN. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET on the Big Ten Network.
College football’s reigning champs enter Saturday’s contest as a massive favorite to advance to 2-0 on the season thus far. Howard vs Indiana Odds have Indiana favored by -57.5 points on the spread, and the total is set at 66.5 points.
Here’s my Howard vs. Indiana prediction and college football pick for Saturday, September 12, 2026.
Howard vs Indiana Prediction, Picks
- Howard vs. Indiana Pick: Indiana 1H -34.5
My Indiana vs. Howard best bet is on the Hoosiers to cover their first-half spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page, and be sure to download the Action Network app for more picks and analysis.
Howard vs Indiana Odds, Spread, Line
| Howard Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+57.5 -110 | 66.5 -114o / -106u | |
| Indiana Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-57.5 -110 | 66.5 -114o / -106u | |
- Howard vs Indiana point spread: Howard +57.5 (-110), Indiana -57.5 (-110)
- Howard vs Indiana over/under: 66.5 (-114o / -106u)
Howard vs Indiana Expert NCAAF Picks
Howard
Ted White enters his first season as Howard HC following longtime Bison coach Larry Scott’s departure this past offseason.
White was a Howard legend in his day, serving as the team’s quarterback from 1995 through 1999. He still holds program records in passing yards, touchdowns and completions.
The former Bison QB has coached at both the collegiate level and in the NFL for over 20 years and brings a ton of experience into his first year as head coach at his alma mater.
Following a 5-7 overall record in Scott’s last year in D.C., the Howard program was more than ready for a change, with both the University’s Vice President and AD having played instrumental roles in White’s reunion with the Bison.
White returns with a new vision for the Bison, placing more emphasis on discipline, accountability and preserving a winning mindset.
The Bison went on to split their first two games of the season, with a victory over Alabama A&M in Howard’s Week 0 opener followed by a close loss to Richmond in Week 1.
Ja'Shawn Scroggins has been very impressive as Howard’s QB1, with the dual-threat senior throwing for 424 yards and four TDs, while also racking up 88 yards on the ground.
Despite the impressive play from their leader thus far, the Bison will face a huge step up in competition, going on the road to face fifth-ranked Indiana.
Howard is an insane 56.5-point underdog on Saturday afternoon, which really suggests how highly betting markets are valuing this Hoosier bunch despite losing its star QB and 2025 Heisman Trophy Award winner Fernando Mendoza.
Indiana
The question on the Hoosier faithful’s mind heading into the season was whether or not HC Curt Cignetti would be able to replicate the miraculous 2025 campaign that led to Indiana winning its first college football National Championship.
Despite significant departures from last year’s team, the Hoosiers are still projected for another double-digit win campaign under the leadership of arguably college football’s top head coach.
Their offense replaced Mendoza with TCU standout QB Josh Hoover in what was surely one of the biggest acquisitions made in the transfer portal this past offseason.
Indiana’s receiving corps remains elite with Charlie Becker returning to Bloomington in 2026 as WR1, and Michigan State transfer Nick Marsh expected to play a large role as well.
Boston College transfer RB Turbo Richards leads the charge for Indiana’s backfield this season and has already made his mark early on, scoring two touchdowns in its Week 1 victory over North Texas.
Six starters return under defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, with tackles Tyrique Tucker and Mario Landino projected to play a major role again for this unit.
Linebackers Rolijah Hardy and Isaiah Jones add further experience to an Indiana front seven that aims to replicate a 2025 defensive unit that racked up a whopping 46 sacks.
Cignetti’s coaching staff was quite active in the transfer portal as well, receiving major boosts in both its secondary and pass rush with the additions of DE Tobi Osunsanmi and CB A.J. Harris.
The sky’s the limit this season for college football’s reigning champions, and I expect their dominance to be on full display on Saturday afternoon in what should be a blowout victory over Howard.
How To Make Howard vs Indiana Picks, Best Bets
Indiana should come out of the gate scorching hot versus a Howard defense that I expect to have no answer for such an attacking onslaught.
These programs are on two different levels, with Cignetti’s intricate offensive schematics just far too complex for an inexperienced Bison defense that will already be outmatched athletically. In addition, this game is in front of a rowdy Hoosier crowd.
I wouldn't be surprised if Indiana takes its foot off the gas in the second half, which is why my primary betting angle is for the Hoosiers to cover their -34.5 first-half spread.
Pick: Indiana 1H -34.5
