Northwestern vs Indiana Prediction, Picks & Odds for Friday Night CFB

• Northwestern and No. 5 Indiana bring unbeaten records into their Big Ten opener
• Aidan Chiles accounted for five touchdowns in last week’s win over Colorado
• My Northwestern vs Indiana prediction, picks and odds for Friday Night CFB are below

Northwestern visits No. 5 Indiana on Friday Night college football, in a matchup of unbeaten Big Ten teams. Kickoff at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington is 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

The Wildcats are 2-0 after beating Colorado 41-7 last Saturday. Indiana is 3-0 this season and carries a 19-game overall winning streak into conference play.

The Hoosiers have earned their status as a heavy favorite, but Northwestern’s improved offense makes the spread worth a closer look. Here’s my Northwestern vs Indiana prediction and picks, followed by the odds and the matchups for Friday Night CFB.

Northwestern vs Indiana Prediction and Picks

• Spread pick: Northwestern +21 (-110 at BetMGM)
• Score prediction: Indiana 38, Northwestern 21

I’m taking the points with Northwestern. I still expect the National Championship odds contender to win, but three touchdowns is a substantial cushion against an offense that can threaten through the air and on the ground. Aidan Chiles’ mobility gives the Wildcats another way to extend drives when the first passing option is covered.

Chiles threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more against Colorado. That was an encouraging performance under offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, although Indiana presents a tougher test. Northwestern does not need to match its 41-point output to make this spread competitive.

The other player I’m watching is Joseph Himon II. He has produced 176 yards and four touchdowns on 12 touches from scrimmage through two games, including three receiving scores. That production will be difficult to sustain at the same rate, but it gives Indiana another threat to account for.

Heisman trophy odds longshot Josh Hoover meanwhile, has started efficiently for Indiana, completing 37 of 51 passes with ten touchdowns and no interceptions through three games. He has averaged 12.73 yards per attempt, so Northwestern cannot assume the Hoosiers need long drives to score.

Indiana also has balance. Turbo Richard has 315 rushing yards on 41 carries, while Charlie Becker is coming off a 127-yard receiving performance against Western Kentucky. Keeping those plays in front of the defense is central to Northwestern staying within the number.

My concern is that Indiana turns an early lead into a comfortable finish before Chiles can settle in. Northwestern has scored 75 points and allowed 25 through two games, but those results came against teams that are nowhere close to a top-five opponent.

Northwestern vs Indiana Odds

BetMGM’s September 25 matchup report lists a 50.5-point total. Check the current price before betting Friday’s game. Eligible new customers can claim the BetMGM promo code.

Indiana is heavily favored to win, but the spread asks the Hoosiers to do considerably more. At +21, a Northwestern loss by exactly three touchdowns would be a push. My projected 17-point margin would cover either +21 or the +20.5 available in the earlier market snapshot.

Compare the latest college football odds before following the pick. That extra half-point matters around a three-touchdown margin, and I would prefer +21 at a similar price.

Northwestern vs Indiana Trends and How to Watch

Curt Cignetti is 18-0 at home and 24-0 against unranked opponents at Indiana. Those are straight-up records, not spread records. They support picking the Hoosiers to win, but they do not settle whether Indiana clears three touchdowns.

David Braun is 0-8 against AP-ranked opponents at Northwestern. I’m not forecasting that streak to end here. My pick is for Chiles and the Wildcats to produce enough offense to keep the final margin manageable.

• Date: Friday, September 25
• Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
• TV: FOX
• Venue: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Indiana