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The Northwestern Wildcats take on the Indiana Hoosiers in Bloomington, Ind. Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. EDT on FOX.
Indiana is favored by -21 points on the spread with a moneyline of -2000. The total is set at 49.5 points.
Here’s my Northwestern vs. Indiana prediction and college football pick for Friday, September 25, 2026. If you want more college football picks and analysis for college football Week 4, download the Action Network app today.
Northwestern vs Indiana Prediction
- Northwestern vs. Indiana Pick: Indiana -20.5
My Indiana vs. Northwestern best bet is on the Hoosiers to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Northwestern vs Indiana Odds
| Northwestern Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+21 -110 | 49.5 -110o / -112u | +1050 |
| Indiana Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-21 -115 | 49.5 -110o / -112u | -2000 |
- Northwestern vs Indiana point spread: Indiana -21 (-115), Northwestern +21 (-110)
- Northwestern vs Indiana over/under: 49.5 (-110o / -112u)
- Northwestern vs Indiana moneyline: Northwestern +1050, Indiana -2000
Northwestern vs Indiana College Football Preview
Northwestern Wildcats Betting Preview: Great Challenge on the Road
Northwestern is off to a fantastic start to its 2026 campaign, prevailing in each of its first two matchups under head coach David Braun.
Braun recently signed a contract extension and has already made a massive impact in the transfer portal.
The effectiveness of Northwestern’s offseason moves in the portal is evident through its 41-7 blowout victory over Colorado.
The most significant move this offseason came via landing former Michigan State QB Aidan Chiles, who's off to a phenomenal start, throwing for over 500 yards with four touchdowns and zero interceptions.
The Wildcats also brought in Chip Kelly to take over as offensive coordinator, a decision that's clearly paid dividends in the first two victories.
Kelly’s new offensive schematics have already led to WR Griffin Wilde's breakout season and Florida State transfer RB Gavin Sawchuk thriving in the new system, as well.
Former Oklahoma State LB Kobie McKinzie has made an immediate impact out of the transfer portal, logging 13 tackles and a sack.
Braun’s bunch boasts an elite secondary highlighted by DBs Robert Fitzgerald and Damon Walters, who rank atop the defense in tackles.
While Northwestern’s defense has looked impressive, heading on the road to play reigning-champion, fifth-ranked Indiana will be a far greater challenge.
Indiana Hoosiers Betting Preview: No Slowing Down
In what was one of the most impressive national title runs in recent memory, the reigning-champion Hoosiers have picked up right where they left off in 2025, prevailing in each of their first three games in convincing fashion.
While a ton of uncertainty surrounded head coach Curt Cignetti’s offense before the 2026 season began after Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza left for the NFL, the speculation has since been put to rest.
In one of the biggest moves in the transfer portal this offseason, Indiana landed former TCU QB Josh Hoover, who has since led the Hoosiers’ offense to nearly 49 points per game over his first three starts in Bloomington.
Indiana is loaded with elite playmakers on the offensive side of the football, with Hoosier WR Charlie Backer retaining his 2025 WR1 spot. That's deserved, especially with the junior wideout having already caught 12 passes for 272 yards and six touchdowns.
Michigan State transfer wideout Nick Marsh is also off to a phenomenal start to his first season in Bloomington.
Indiana boasts a two-headed monster in its backfield, with Boston College transfer RB Turbo Richards leading the way and Lee Beebe Jr. playing a vital role thus far as a second tailback.
The Hoosiers’ defense has been remarkable as well, allowing opponents just 16 points over the first three weeks of the season and posting consecutive shutouts in the team’s last two matchups.
Indiana returned six starters under defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, with tackles Tyrique Tucker and Mario Landino both playing key roles for the defensive unit.
Linebackers Rolijah Hardy and Isaiah Jones add more experience to Indiana’s front seven, while transfers DE Tobi Osunsanmi and CB A.J. Harris have also made key contributions.
Cignetti is on a mission to make Indiana the first program to win consecutive championships since Georgia did so in 2021.
Northwestern vs Indiana Pick, Betting Analysis
We're in for a Big Ten showdown on Friday night as both Indiana and Northwestern put their respective unbeaten records on the line in a huge conference matchup.
While the Wildcats have looked impressive under the team’s new offensive system, I doubt Kelly’s offense will be efficient against a stout Hoosier defense on Friday night.
Back Cignetti’s Hoosiers to keep on rolling.
Pick: Indiana -20.5
