Indiana arrives at Northwestern Saturday as one of the biggest stories in college football.
But they’ll play in a city where they haven’t won since 1993 — eight straight road losses against the Wildcats.
Can the Hoosiers end that streak, and reach 6-0 and bowl eligibility going into their first bye week?
Here’s everything you need to know about IU’s week six matchup against the Wildcats.
No. 23/24 INDIANA (5-0, 2-0) at NORTHWESTERN (2-2, 0-1)
- Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. Eastern, Saturday
- Location: Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium (12,023), Evanston, Ill.
- Television: Big Ten Network: Chris Vosters (pbp), Anthony Herron (analyst), Dannie Rogers (sideline)
- Stream: Fox Sports
- Radio: IU Football radio network
- Odds: Indiana is a 13.5-point favorite
- Weather at kickoff: 76 degrees, mostly sunny, wind 17 mph, 0% chance of precipitation.
- Series: Northwestern leads 47-35-1
- The Coaches:
- Curt Cignetti is in his 14th year as a college football head coach. He has a 124-35 career record, including 5-0 at IU.
- David Braun is in his second season at Northwestern. He owns a 10-7 record.
Head down. Focused. Always improving. pic.twitter.com/BJaIEFwFtF
— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) October 5, 2024
IU Football Week Six Coverage:
- Watch: IU football coach Curt Cignetti featured on Big Ten Network’s “The Journey”
- Radio show: Curt Cignetti reviews the win over Maryland, previews Northwestern
- Watch: IU football tight end Zach Horton week six media Q&As
- East 17th Street Ep. 7 — Reexamining what’s possible for IU football in 2024
- IU football: Wide receiver Donaven McCulley is entering the transfer portal
- IU football: Three standout performers against Maryland and why they’re important for the rest of the season
- TJD shouts out Cignetti and IU football “We are an everything school”
- Watch: IU football coach Curt Cignetti Monday media Q&A — Northwestern week
- Ranked: IU football back in Top-25 for first time in more than three years
- After historic start, how far can Indiana football go?
- IU football: PFF grades, snap counts and notes from win over Maryland
TALE OF THE TAPE
THE COMPLETE BIG TEN WEEK SIX SLATE
FRIDAY, OCT. 4
Michigan State at Oregon 9 p.m. FOX
SATURDAY, OCT. 5
UCLA at Penn State 12 p.m. FOX
Purdue at Wisconsin 12 p.m. Big Ten Network
Indiana at Northwestern 3:30 p.m. Big Ten Network
Iowa at Ohio State 3:30 p.m. CBS
Rutgers at Nebraska 4 p.m. FS1
USC at Minnesota 7:30 p.m. Big Ten Network
Michigan at Washington 7:30 p.m. NBC
NORTHWESTERN RESULTS
Saturday Aug. 31 Miami (OH) RedHawks BTN W, 13-6
Friday Sept. 6 Duke Blue Devils FS1 L, 26-20, 2OT
Saturday Sept. 14 Eastern Illinois Panthers BTN W, 31-7
Saturday Sept. 21 at Washington Huskies* FS1 L, 24-5
NORTHWESTERN LEADERS
NORTHWESTERN NOTES (via Northwestern Athletics)
David Braun embarks on his second season at the helm in Evanston after a historic debut year with the program in 2023, which saw him lead the team to an 8-5 record (5-4 B1G) and a Las Vegas Bowl victory while earning Big Ten Coach of the Year Honors.
Braun was named interim head coach on July 14, 2023, and was elevated to permanent head coach on Nov. 15, 2023, after leading the ‘Cats to a 24-10 road win at Wisconsin.
The Wildcats (2-2, 0-1 B1G) are entering Saturday’s tilt against the Hoosiers coming off a bye after falling in their conference opener at Washington 24-5 on Sept. 21.
Redshirt sophomore Jack Lausch was named the starter for Week 3 against Eastern Illinois. Lausch has completed just 48% of his passes for 280 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Linebacker Xander Mueller was all over the field, posting 8 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and a fumble recovery in week four. The grad student leads the team in tackles (28), tackles for loss (3.0) and broken up (4). He is the only player in the country to post at least 28 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and four passes broken up this season.
Northwestern’s offensive line has surrendered just three sacks this season, which ranks tied with Ohio State for the best mark in the Big Ten and t-9th nationally. The Wildcats last allowed three or fewer sacks over the season’s first four games in 2015 (3).
On the defensive side of the ball, Northwestern ranks in the top 25 nationally in both scoring defense and rushing yards allowed per game. Northwestern is 10th in FBS allowing 79.3 rushing yards per game and 23rd in scoring defense (15.8 ppg). The last time Northwestern allowed fewer points per game over the season’s first four games was when the 2020 Big Ten West Division champion defense allowed just 14.0 ppg. The defense has allowed just one rushing touchdown this year, Northwestern’s fewest over the season’s first four games since at least 2000. The ‘Cats have totaled 12 sacks this season with their average of 3.0 sacks per game ranking 17th nationally. Northwestern 12 sacks over the season’s first four games is its most since posting 12 in 2014.
PREDICTIONS
Northwestern is going to do their best to make this a low-possession, low-scoring game. They’ll have some success with that, but their offense will ultimately let them down. Indiana reaches bowl eligibility as soon as possible.
TDH PREDICTION: INDIANA 27 NORTHWESTERN 13
ESPN SP+ (Computer) Indiana 28 Northwestern 17 (gives IU 75 percent chance to win)
ESPN FPI (Computer): Indiana has an 84.9 percent chance to win
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