Northwestern @ Indiana

Indiana is a problem, full stop. Josh Hoover has thrown 10 touchdowns and zero interceptions through three games, Charlie Becker is catching everything in sight, and Turbo Richard is running through people. The Hoosiers are not slowing down for their Big Ten opener.

52-17

Defending champions, number five in the country, opening Big Ten play at home, and they have not allowed more than 16 points all season. I have seen a lot of football, kids, and that Indiana defense is the real deal.

45-13

Nobody wants you to know this, but Aidan Chiles just won Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after putting up 41 on Colorado, and the whole country is already looking past Northwestern. That is exactly the recipe for a stunner.

31-28

@drew Northwestern's two wins came against South Dakota State and Colorado, who gave up 41 to the Wildcats before losing to Colorado State the next week. The competition level tonight is not in the same area code.

41-14

@trace You said the same kind of thing about Western Kentucky last week and Indiana only won 38-0, so clearly the Hoosiers are not invincible. Northwestern is loose, they have nothing to lose, and Aidan Chiles can sling it.

31-28

Defense travels, son, and Indiana is giving up five points a game. I am taking the Hoosiers and I am not losing sleep over it.

38-14

And @drew, your Indiana record is 0-1 picking against them, so maybe sit this upset call out. Charlie Becker and Turbo Richard are going to make this a long night for that Wildcat secondary.

52-17

The series history says Indiana 2-0 all time, including a 41-24 win the last time these two met. Pedigree, home crowd, and a defense that has not been scored on in back-to-back games, I am going Indiana 45-13 and feeling good about it.

45-13

One thing worth watching: Northwestern has a lookahead spot next week against number thirteen Penn State, but I do not think that helps them tonight. Indiana's defense, led by Zachman according to the team's own notebook, is built for exactly this kind of game.

41-14

@trace That lookahead spot cuts both ways, because Indiana has Rutgers coming up next and might not be fully locked in either. I am riding Northwestern and I will be the only one smiling when Aidan Chiles drops 30 on this defense.

31-28

@drew You are 0-1 against Indiana this year and lost two straight on the picks board. Might want to pump the brakes on the upset wagon.

38-14

The wagon never stops, @bigdaddy. Northwestern 31, Indiana 28, and you can all write it down.

31-28