Northwestern at Indiana - 2026 Matchup Preview
Northwestern logo Northwestern Wildcats at Indiana HoosiersIndiana logo
Saturday, September 26th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Memorial Stadium - Bloomington, IN

 
Wildcats (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach David Braun (19 - 19)
Avg Score : 23 - 20 (15 - 26 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
IND 4th straight Home Game
IND is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Indiana -28  (SP+ IND -27)
Projected Score: NW: 11 - IND: 39 (49)
IND Win prob: 97% | Cover: 53%
NW Travel: 208 miles, 1 hrs behind
Hoosiers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Curt Cignetti (27 - 2)
Avg Score : 42 - 12 (49 - 8 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Northwestern's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Northwestern vs South Dakota State-27
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/19 Northwestern vs Colorado-14
Sat 9/26 Northwestern at Indiana+28
Sat 10/3 Northwestern vs Penn State+9
Sat 10/10 Northwestern vs Ball State-27.5
Sat 10/17 Northwestern at Michigan State-3
Sat 10/24 Northwestern vs Rutgers-7
Sat 10/31 Northwestern at Oregon+24.5
Sat 11/7 Northwestern vs Iowa+7.5
Sat 11/14 Northwestern at Ohio State+28.5
Sat 11/21 Northwestern at Minnesota+3
Sat 11/28 Northwestern at Illinois+10

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

Predictions for Northwestern's Schedule
Indiana's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Indiana vs North Texas-29
Sat 9/12 Indiana vs Howard-52.5
Sat 9/19 Indiana vs Western Kentucky-36
Sat 9/26 Indiana vs Northwestern-28
Sat 10/3 Indiana at Rutgers-27.5
Sat 10/10 Indiana at Nebraska-20.5
Sat 10/17 Indiana vs Ohio State-2
Sat 10/24 Indiana at Michigan-11
Sat 10/31 Indiana vs Minnesota-27.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/14 Indiana vs USC-10.5
Sat 11/21 Indiana at Washington-8
Sat 11/28 Indiana vs Purdue-34.5

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

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
NW#83 (.15)43% (57)23.446% (46)2.97 (64)16142% (66)1863.21 (116)#72 (.17)45% (117)19.847% (119)44% (101)3.37 (41)33.81.61.5
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
NW0%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
NW Offense1323.415.243.2%3.211.6203471611864.751%47%46%42%17%.15
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
NW Defense1319.82645.3%3.371.5 - - - - - 52%46%47%44%15%.17
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
Northwestern1332:1819.743%59%4.233.81.61.541.8028.5
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
NW Offense1351% (57)46% (46)34.5160.94.716 (99).14 (58)2.97 (64)76% (41)8% (33)0.91 (92)
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
NW Defense1352% (91)47% (119) - - - - .18 (108)3.16 (113)71% (63)9% (93)0.99 (85)
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
NW Offense1347% (81)42% (66)17.229.1185.96.410.817 (75)13 (108).21 (85)1.5 (97)30% (46)33% (33).31 (66)9% (130)1.8 (128)
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
NW Defense1346% (38)44% (101) - - - - - - 9 (75).24 (63)1.4 (6)28% (119)34% (120).32 (82)6% (62)1.8 (20)
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)

Northwestern's Power Ratings
Northwestern's Power Rating: 1.49  #59
Northwestern's Offense Rating: 11.07  #66
Northwestern's Defense Rating: 14.58  #52
2026 Talent Rating: 886.00  #28
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #24
Northwestern's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Northwestern's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 5.8  #51
Northwestern's Offense SP+ Rating: 24.4  #90
Northwestern's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.0  #30

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18

Power Ratings Matchup
Northwestern: 1.49   Indiana: 31.415

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Northwestern: 5.8   Indiana: 32.4




Indiana's Power Ratings
Indiana's Power Rating: 31.415  #8
Indiana's Offense Rating: 23.07  #7
Indiana's Defense Rating: 2.64  #10
2026 Talent Rating: 788.00  #58
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #24
Indiana's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
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 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18


Northwestern Scoring
Offense: 23.4 PPG
Offense on Road: 15.2
Defense: 19.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 26

Northwestern'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 39
Northwestern 11

Projected Total Points: 49
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
202410/05Northwestern24Indiana41Indiana -12.5Indiana40.5Over
201911/02Indiana34Northwestern3Indiana -8.5Indiana44.5Under
201610/22Northwestern24Indiana14Northwestern -2.5Northwestern54.0Under
201209/29Northwestern44Indiana29
201110/29Indiana38Northwestern59
201010/30Indiana17Northwestern20
200910/24Northwestern29Indiana28
200810/25Indiana21Northwestern19
200711/10Northwestern31Indiana28
200410/09Northwestern31Indiana24
200310/11Indiana31Northwestern37
200211/02Northwestern41Indiana37
200111/03Indiana56Northwestern21
200010/06Northwestern52Indiana33
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Indiana421 Overs
Northwestern1012 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams10 - 42 - 12 - 00 - 1
Road Teams4 - 101 - 21 - 00 - 2

(#59) NW at (#8) IND
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatNWIND
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #59 #8
SP+SP+ #51 #1
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #28 #58
Blue ChipsBC% #24 #24
Northwestern on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
NW OffIND Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #57 #9
ExplosiveExp #108 #108
PPAPPA #83 #8
PowerPwr #66 #10
SP+SP+ #90 #2
Pts POPPO #116 #1
HavocHav #94 #2
Northwestern Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
NW OffIND Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #46 #4
Run ExplRExp #92 #90
PPAExp #58 #3
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #64 #3
Stuff RateStuff #48 #1
TackleTak - NR
Northwestern Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
NW OffIND Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #66 #40
Pass ExplPExl #97 #59
PPAExp #85 #49
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #33 #2
DB HavocDB #130 #15
Indiana on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 44%, Run: 54%
CategoryCatIND OffNW Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #4 #117
ExplosiveExp #114 #12
PPAPPA #8 #72
PowerPwr #7 #52
SP+SP+ #2 #30
Pts POPPO #1 #41
HavocHav #8 #83
Indiana Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 44%, Run: 54%
CategoryCat
IND OffNW Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #20 #119
Run ExplRExp #110 #85
PPAExp #32 #108
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #19 #113
Stuff RateStuff #18 #118
TackleTak - NR
Indiana Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 44%, Run: 54%
CategoryCatIND OffNW Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #2 #101
Pass ExplPExl #92 #6
PPAExp #5 #63
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #10 #93
DB HavocDB #23 #62
Program Comparison
IND 5 Year Profile: Improving Top 25 Contenders
'26 Profile: Up to CFB Elites

NW 5 Year Profile: Improving Top G5
'26 Profile: Up to Below Avg P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in Memorial Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Indiana beat Northwestern in 2024 (41-24)

  
NW's OC Chip Kelly (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Aidan Chiles (Tr)12820363%13921036.9
Ryan Boe2729%17012.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Caleb Komolafe190941115.056
Gavin Sawchuk (Tr)10948684.540
Joseph Himon II9948614.937
Aidan Chiles (Tr)8122762.864
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Griffin Wilde71880812.449
Hayden Eligon Ii37521314.138
Ricky Ahumaraeze10200020.035
Drew Wagner2217227.840

View Northwestern's Full Roster

NW's DC Tim McGarigle (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Robert Fitzgerald1066014
Braydon Brus815344
Braden Turner522012
Michael Kilbane428481
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Michael Kilbane428481
Braydon Brus815344
Mason Green11100
Kobie McKinzie (Tr)327140
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Josh Fussell291009
Brenden Deasfernandes (Tr)250008
Robert Fitzgerald1066014

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
Omar Cooper Jr.374124.775
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Omar Cooper Jr.709611313.758
Shazz Preston (Tr)43723416.869
Charlie Becker34679420.053
Nick Marsh (Tr)59662611.248

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