Western Kentucky at Indiana - 2026 Matchup Preview
Western Kentucky logo

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Indiana Hoosiers

Indiana logo
Saturday, September 19th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Memorial Stadium - Bloomington, IN

 
Hilltoppers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Tyson Helton (58 - 35)
Avg Score : 30 - 23 (25 - 28 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 2 (#104)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
WKU 3rd straight Road Game
IND 3rd straight Home Game
Our Line: Indiana -33.5  (SP+ IND -31)
Projected Score: WKU: 10 - IND: 44 (54)
IND Win prob: 100% | Cover: 46%
WKU Travel: 152 miles, 1 hrs behind
Hoosiers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Curt Cignetti (27 - 2)
Avg Score : 42 - 12 (49 - 8 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 10.9 - 1.1 (#3)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 4) (Good: 0) (Avg: 4) (Bad: 3)
 
Western Kentucky's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Western Kentucky at Nevada-12.5————
Sat 9/12Western Kentucky at Georgia+30.5————
Sat 9/19Western Kentucky at Indiana+33.5————
Record: 0–0Projected spreads in italics

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Western Kentucky's Schedule
Indiana's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Indiana vs North Texas-27.5————
Sat 9/12Indiana vs Howard-53.5————
Sat 9/19Indiana vs Western Kentucky-33.5————
Sat 9/26Indiana vs Northwestern-29————
Sat 10/3Indiana at Rutgers-25.5————
Sat 10/10Indiana at Nebraska-21————
Sat 10/17Indiana vs Ohio State-2.5————
Sat 10/24Indiana at Michigan-8————
Sat 10/31Indiana vs Minnesota-26————
— Bye Week —
Sat 11/14Indiana vs USC-12————
Sat 11/21Indiana at Washington-6————
Sat 11/28Indiana vs Purdue-35.5————
Record: 0–0Projected spreads in italics

Total: Elite: 4, Good: 0, Avg 4, Bad 3, Poor 0
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 4, Good: 0, Avg 4, Bad 3, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Indiana's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WKU#76 (.16)43% (58)29.545% (50)2.99 (62)13542% (63)2724.21 (30)#43 (.11)37% (19)22.839% (28)36% (17)2.72 (10)61.31.61.1
IND#8 (.32)51% (4)41.648% (20)3.23 (19)20956% (2)2285.13 (1)#8 (.03)35% (9)11.732% (4)39% (40)2.07 (1)25.20.51.8
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WKU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
IND0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WKU Offense1329.524.543.1%4.211.6214071352724.242%57%45%42%15%.16
IND Defense1611.78.435.1%2.071.8 - - - - - 43%55%32%39%23%.03
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WKU Defense1322.82837.1%2.721.1 - - - - - 46%52%39%36%16%.11
IND Offense1641.649.151.1%5.130.5234372092285.556%43%48%56%11%.32

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Western Kentucky1329:3521.446%33%6.261.31.61.15.51.4228.2
Indiana1631:1222.558%50%3.425.20.51.882.8430.9
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WKU Offense1342% (125)45% (50)31.8134.64.223 (78).08 (86)2.99 (62)81% (11)9% (47)0.91 (93)
IND Defense1643% (3)32% (4) - - - - -.09 (3)2.21 (3)58% (6)16% (2)1 (90)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WKU Defense1346% (24)39% (28) - - - - .09 (62)2.79 (52)55% (2)9% (97)1.13 (130)
IND Offense1656% (26)48% (20)37.82095.533 (40).19 (32)3.23 (19)69% (87)7% (10)0.88 (110)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WKU Offense1357% (12)42% (63)2538.1272.27.210.921 (42)13 (60).24 (75)1.5 (90)33% (100)34% (26).36 (45)6% (90)1.9 (105)
IND Defense1655% (128)39% (40) - - - - - - 18 (12).2 (49)1.5 (59)36% (15)27% (30).27 (63)7% (15)2.1 (93)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WKU Defense1352% (110)36% (17) - - - - - - 9 (55).16 (29)1.5 (61)34% (32)27% (27).23 (42)7% (15)2 (66)
IND Offense1643% (109)56% (2)17.323.7227.59.613.246 (1)7 (7).52 (5)1.5 (92)25% (4)40% (5).59 (4)5% (23)2.1 (40)

Western Kentucky's Power Ratings
Western Kentucky's Power Rating: -4.08  #86
Western Kentucky's Offense Rating: 7.05  #105
Western Kentucky's Defense Rating: 16.13  #71
2026 Talent Rating: 642.00  #87
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #103
Western Kentucky's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 2.0
Western Kentucky's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 1.6  #69
Western Kentucky's Offense SP+ Rating: 28.8  #56
Western Kentucky's Defense SP+ Rating: 28.6  #78

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 484.36
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81

Power Ratings Matchup
Western Kentucky: -4.08   Indiana: 32.345

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Western Kentucky: 1.6   Indiana: 32.4




Indiana's Power Ratings
Indiana's Power Rating: 32.345  #7
Indiana's Offense Rating: 24.22  #9
Indiana's Defense Rating: 1.31  #8
2026 Talent Rating: 818.00  #55
Blue Chip Ratio: 14  #29
Indiana's 2026 Expected Record: 10.9 - 1.1
Indiana's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 32.4  #1
Indiana's Offense SP+ Rating: 40.8  #2
Indiana's Defense SP+ Rating: 9.9  #2

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 916.78
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81


Western Kentucky Scoring
Offense: 29.5 PPG
Offense on Road: 24.5
Defense: 22.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 28

Western Kentucky's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Indiana 44
Western Kentucky 10

Projected Total Points: 54
Indiana Scoring
Offense: 41.6 PPG
Offense at Home: 49.1
Defense: 11.7 PPG
Defense at Home: 8.4

Indiana's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202209/17Indiana33Western Kentucky30Indiana -7Western Kentucky61.0Over
202109/25Western Kentucky31Indiana33Indiana -9.5Western Kentucky62.5Over
201509/19Indiana38Western Kentucky35Indiana -3Push72.5Over
201009/18Western Kentucky21Indiana38
200808/30Indiana31Western Kentucky13
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Indiana503 Overs
Western Kentucky020 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams3 - 21 - 10 - 11 - 0
Road Teams2 - 31 - 10 - 11 - 0

(#86) WKU at (#7) IND
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatWKUIND
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #86 #7
SP+SP+ #69 #1
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #87 #55
Blue ChipsBC% #103 #29
Western Kentucky Notes
(3/3) Sneaky good portal class, some P4, #2 in CUSA
Western Kentucky Injury Report
Indiana Notes
(2/14) Vibes: Highest. CFP champs & lookin for more
(2/11) Lost strength coach to Tennessee.
(1/28) Cignetti & Staff are best in CFB after title run
(1/28) QB Hoover great add, durability imp w/ depth ?
(1/28) RB Beebe back from inj, T Richard (BC) added
(1/28) WRs Becker back, Marsh/Preston big portal adds
(1/28) OL great LY, 3 starters back. OT Smith best in CFB?
(1/28) DTs top 2 back, DEs good/portals from K St & ND
(1/28) LB & DBs good but lost stars/leaders. Portals help
(1/28) Roster stabilizing, 17 portals (23 LY, 30 in '24)
Indiana Injury Report
Western Kentucky on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 42%
CategoryCat
WKU OffIND Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #58 #9
ExplosiveExp #74 #108
PPAPPA #76 #8
PowerPwr #105 #8
SP+SP+ #56 #2
Pts POPPO #30 #1
HavocHav #59 #2
Western Kentucky Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 42%
CategoryCat
WKU OffIND Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #50 #4
Run ExplRExp #93 #90
PPAExp #86 #3
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #62 #3
Stuff RateStuff #98 #1
TackleTak - NR
Western Kentucky Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 42%
CategoryCat
WKU OffIND Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #63 #40
Pass ExplPExl #90 #59
PPAExp #75 #49
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #47 #2
DB HavocDB #90 #15
Indiana on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 44%, Run: 54%
CategoryCatIND OffWKU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #4 #19
ExplosiveExp #114 #118
PPAPPA #8 #43
PowerPwr #9 #71
SP+SP+ #2 #78
Pts POPPO #1 #10
HavocHav #8 #59
Indiana Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 44%, Run: 54%
CategoryCat
IND OffWKU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #20 #28
Run ExplRExp #110 #130
PPAExp #32 #62
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #19 #52
Stuff RateStuff #18 #29
TackleTak - NR
Indiana Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 44%, Run: 54%
CategoryCatIND OffWKU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #2 #17
Pass ExplPExl #92 #61
PPAExp #5 #29
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #10 #97
DB HavocDB #23 #15
Program Comparison
IND 5 Year Profile: Improving Top 25 Contenders
'26 Profile: Up to CFB Elites

WKU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'26 Profile: Remains Top G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Memorial Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
WKU's OC Vacant (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Rodney Tisdale Jr.13921266%1432976.8
Brock Glenn (Tr)61060%69206.9
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Sincere Baines (Tr)12371135.877
Ajay Allen9749755.140
Kalib Hicks4412802.914
Rodney Tisdale Jr.5210822.115
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jay Rockwell721132715.770
K.D. Hutchinson6661839.478
Nigel Johnson11295326.867
Cameron Flowers19204110.730

View Western Kentucky's Full Roster

WKU's DC Davis Merritt (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaylen Lewis744005
Dave Herard583004
Jakeem Fletcher152000
Venson Sneed141012
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Zeiqui Lawton133220
Jaylen Lewis744005
Javin Griffin30000
Nigel Johnson10000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaylen Lewis744005
Dave Herard583004
Venson Sneed141012

IND's OC Mike Shanahan (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Josh Hoover (Tr)27241366%347229138.4
Joshua Burnham (Tr)11100%841084.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Turbo Richard (Tr)14574995.271
Khobie Martin7750666.636
Lee Beebe2720917.724
Sean Cuono21708.59
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Shazz Preston (Tr)43723416.869
Charlie Becker34679420.053
Nick Marsh (Tr)59662611.248
Turbo Richard (Tr)3021327.149

View Indiana's Full Roster

IND's DC Bryant Haines (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Rolijah Hardy10315845
Isaiah Jones7815732
Jamari Sharpe495005
Amare Ferrell482006
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Rolijah Hardy10315845
Isaiah Jones7815732
Tyrique Tucker3812632
Mario Landino327524
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Amare Ferrell482006
Rolijah Hardy10315845
Jamari Sharpe495005