Indiana vs Northwestern Prediction College Football Picks 10/5/24

The Indiana Hoosiers and the Northwestern Wildcats meet Saturday in college football action from Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium. Here’s an Indiana vs Northwestern prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Indiana vs Northwestern pick. We will examine:

The Indiana Hoosiers’ recent form and player performance

The Northwestern Wildcats’ recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Indiana Hoosiers

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Northwestern Wildcats

Recent betting trends in games played between Indiana vs Northwestern

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Indiana vs Northwestern game

Indiana Hoosiers Betting Preview

The Hoosiers opened up play this year versus Florida International. Indiana took a blowout win 31-7 in that one, then kept it up with wins 77-3 over Western Illinois and 42-13 over UCLA. Game four was another big win, this time 52-14 versus Charlotte.

Last weekend versus Maryland, the Hoosiers scored 14 points in each of the final three quarters in order to power out a 42-28 win. Kurtis Rourke threw for 359 yards, three scores, and two interceptions. Elijah Sarratt had a great day receiving on seven catches, 128 yards, and one TD.

Northwestern Wildcats Betting Preview

Over on the Wildcats’ side, they were able to power out a defense-heavy win over Miami-OH 13-6 in their opening game. Northwestern fell in a tough overtime affair versus Duke 26-20 the next week but would then take out Eastern Illinois 31-7 in game three.

Matched up against Washington on September 21, the Wildcats took another loss. Northwestern was down 17-2 by the break and limped to a 24-5 outcome. QB Jack Lausch notched 53 yards with two picks and also led an anemic rush with 21 yards on 13 totes.

Why the Northwestern Wildcats will win

• Indiana has lost each of its last six road games in October.
• The home team has won five of Indiana’s last six games.
• Northwestern has covered the spread in six of its last seven games against conference opponents.
• Indiana has failed to cover the spread in three of its last four October games against non-AP-ranked teams.

Why the Indiana Hoosiers will win

• Northwestern has lost 13 of its last 14 games against AP-ranked teams.
• Indiana has won each of its last five games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Indiana has covered the spread in each of its last four road games.
• Northwestern has failed to cover the spread in three of its last four home games in October.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Indiana’s last eight road games has gone OVER the total points line.
• Four of Northwestern’s last five October games against AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Indiana vs Northwestern Prediction

I’m staying with Indiana. The Hoosiers looked pretty good against a solid Maryland team in their last outing, notching 510 total yards (359 passing), 6.8 yards per play, and 28 first downs. Indiana did have a major blemish with four turnovers (two fumbles) but otherwise played a highly efficient game.

As for Northwestern, they looked pretty rough against Washington in their last outing. The Wildcats notched just 112 total yards (53 passing), 2.1 yards per play, 12 first downs, and an ugly 2-of-13 on third-down tries. Northwestern should benefit from the extra rest and prep here but I don’t think they’ll cover.

Andrew Jett's Pick: Indiana Hoosiers -11.5