Northwestern opens Big Ten play Friday night with its first road trip of the season, a visit to No. 5 Indiana. The defending national champions are 20.5-point favorites, and the total sits at 49.5. Both teams are unbeaten, but they have handled the spread very differently. Indiana has won big without covering, while Northwestern is perfect against the number. Below, we break down the Northwestern vs. Indiana spread, the total, and where our best bets land.
Last Updated: Friday, September 25, 2026
Northwestern vs. Indiana — Time & How to Watch
| Where | Memorial Stadium, Bloomington IN |
| When | Friday, September 25 – 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FOX |
Northwestern vs. Indiana Betting Preview
Indiana is 3-0 and ranked No. 5 in the AP Top 25 after a 16-0 run to the 2025 national title. The home side has outscored North Texas, Howard and Western Kentucky by a combined 145-16. That includes back-to-back shutouts of Howard (55-0) and Western Kentucky (38-0). Curt Cignetti also has a new quarterback in TCU transfer Josh Hoover. Hoover has 10 touchdowns and no interceptions through three starts, and wide receiver Charlie Becker has six touchdown catches.
Northwestern arrives 2-0 behind quarterback Aidan Chiles, a transfer from Michigan State. Chiles has thrown for 514 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. He was at his best last Saturday in a 41-7 rout of Colorado, throwing three touchdowns and running for two more. Running back Joseph Himon II caught all three scoring passes, and the defense forced four takeaways. Northwestern opened with a 34-18 win over FCS South Dakota State. Next Friday, it opens the new Ryan Field against Penn State.
Availability favors the home side. Indiana will be without running back Khobie Martin, wide receiver LeBron Bond and defensive back Carson Williams, and cornerback A.J. Harris is doubtful on the Big Ten availability report. Kicker Nico Radicic has missed the last two games with a back injury. Northwestern’s list is much longer. The visitors listed 14 players as out on Wednesday, including three offensive linemen and four defensive linemen. Starting defensive back Braden Turner, who intercepted a pass against Colorado, was then ruled out Thursday.
History offers mixed signals. Northwestern leads the all-time series 47-36-1, but Indiana won the most recent meeting 41-24 in Evanston in 2024.
Northwestern vs. Indiana Odds
| Spread | Moneyline | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern | +20.5 (-110) | +800 | O 49.5 (-110) |
| Indiana | -20.5 (-110) | -1600 | U 49.5 (-110) |
Odds accurate as of September 25, 2026 via TheSpread.com. Odds change, get the latest NCAAF Odds – Futures – Props
Northwestern vs. Indiana — Who Is the Public Betting?
| Northwestern | 45% | 55% | Indiana |
See the latest College Football Public Betting Splits and make smarter wagers!
Northwestern vs. Indiana Prediction — Is Spread too Big?
Start with the matchup up front. Northwestern’s injury list hits both lines of scrimmage. Three offensive linemen are sidelined against an Indiana defense that has allowed 16 points all season. Four defensive linemen are also out, and so is Turner in the secondary. Over four quarters against a deep roster, those absences tend to show up late. That is usually when a big favorite either pulls away or allows a backdoor cover.
The market has leaned slightly the other way, however. This line opened at Indiana -21.5 and has dipped a full point, even with 55% of spread bets on the favorite. Indiana is also 0-3 against the spread despite winning by an average of 43 points. Still, those numbers came against North Texas, FCS Howard and Western Kentucky. Friday is the first Big Ten test for both teams and the first road game of the season for Northwestern.
The case for the underdog is real. Chiles has protected the ball, Northwestern is 2-0 against the spread, and it just beat Colorado by 34. A patient offense that avoids giveaways can shorten the game and keep a large number within reach late. In contrast, Indiana’s defense has not allowed a point in eight quarters. Northwestern’s depleted lines face their toughest test yet, on the road, in prime time.
The Pick: Indiana -20.5 (-110)
Northwestern vs. Indiana Prediction — Will Under Cash?
Both defenses have been stingy early. Indiana has allowed 5.3 points per game, and Northwestern has allowed 12.5. The total has also ticked down, from 50 at the open to 49.5 now. Northwestern’s shorthanded offensive line makes it hard to picture the visitors adding much against this Indiana front. Meanwhile, a comfortable lead would give the favorite every reason to lean on the run and drain the clock in the second half.
The over has a clear path, too. Indiana is averaging 48.3 points per game, so the favorite could approach this number with little help. Northwestern has scored 34 and 41 in its two games, and Chiles has been efficient. A result such as 38-14 would clear the total. Our read is that Indiana’s defense controls the game script, and that the offense is content to protect a lead late.
The Pick: Under 49.5 (-110)
Final Thoughts and Bonus Angle
These two plays tell the same story. The script that cashes both is an Indiana win built on defense, with a three-touchdown margin and Northwestern held near 10 points. The script that hurts both is a shootout where Northwestern trades scores and the total climbs. Either way, the two positions rise and fall with how well Indiana’s defense handles Chiles.
The moneyline offers no bonus value here. Indiana at -1600 carries an implied probability above 94%, which leaves little return for the risk. Northwestern at +800 would need a depleted two-deep to win on the road against the defending champions. For a look at Indiana’s last outing, see our Western Kentucky vs. Indiana prediction from September 19.
Picks recap: Indiana -20.5 (-110) and Under 49.5 (-110).
NCAAF Northwestern vs. Indiana FAQ: Friday September 25, 2026
What time does the Northwestern vs. Indiana game start?
Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET on Friday, September 25, 2026, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana. That is 7:00 p.m. Central for fans traveling from the Chicago area. The game is the Big Ten opener for both schools and Northwestern’s first road game of the season.
What channel is the Northwestern vs. Indiana game on?
The game airs nationally on FOX, with coverage beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET on Friday, September 25. Connor Onion handles play-by-play, with Robert Griffin III as the analyst and Alexa Landestoy reporting from the sideline. Indiana hosts the game at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington.
Who won the last meeting between Northwestern and Indiana?
Indiana won the last meeting 41-24 on October 5, 2024, in Evanston. That game was the most recent between the two schools before Friday night. Northwestern still leads the all-time series 47-36-1, so the Bloomington matchup gives Indiana a chance to trim that edge further.
Is Northwestern or Indiana ranked?
Indiana is ranked No. 5 in the latest AP Top 25 poll and enters the game 3-0. Northwestern is unranked despite its 2-0 start. Indiana is also the defending national champion after finishing the 2025 season with a perfect 16-0 record.
Who is starting at quarterback for Northwestern and Indiana?
Aidan Chiles starts for Northwestern, and Josh Hoover starts for Indiana. Chiles, a transfer from Michigan State, has thrown for 514 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Hoover, a transfer from TCU, has 10 touchdowns and no interceptions through three games.