Know Your Opponent: Week 4 Northwestern Wildcats

The No. 5  Indiana Hoosiers (3-0) open up Big Ten play as the upstart Northwestern Wildcats (2-0) come to town for a Friday night game. Kickoff is set for 8 pm and the game will be televised on FOX.

Head Coach: David Braun  (4th year at Northwestern)
Overall: 21-19 (.525) 4th year
At Northwestern (21-19, 11-16)
Northwestern All-Time Bowl Appearances: 18
Last Year’s Record: 7-6 (4-5) Won Game Above Bowl
This Year’s Record: 2-0 (0-0)
Postseason Appearances Since 2000: 15 Appearances (7-9 Record)
Mascot: Willie the Wildcat
Colors: Purple and White
Outfitter: Under Armour
National Titles: 0
Conference Titles: 8
Heisman Winners: 0

FUN FACT:

• Goodbye Lakeside Stadium, Hello New Ryan Field 

While the game is in Bloomington, Northwestern bids farewell to its lakeside stadium as it moves into its new $800 million stadium next week. 

1. Chip Kelly Bringing the Best Out of Aidan Chiles

Indiana is very familiar with Northwestern quarterback Aidan Chiles. The Hoosiers faced him twice when he was at Michigan State. Against the Hoosiers in 2024, Chiles completed 16-of-24 passes for 193 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Last season he improved to 27-of-33 for 243 yards and a touchdown. Indiana won both games handily, but Chiles flashed his potential. His downfall at Michigan State was his inconsistency.

This season, Chiles has been much more consistent, completing 67.1% of his passes with zero turnovers. Northwestern will try to roll him out of the pocket to limit the pressure he will face against the Hoosiers. He is not taking as many chances downfield this season, but has found a nice rhythm to the outside.  If you look at the passing chart from HUDLIQ below it shows that Chiles and Northwestern’s preference to to use the short, quick passing game to move the ball.

2. Three-Headed Rushing Attack

Northwestern has three very good running backs in Joseph Himon III, Caleb Komalafe and Gavin Sawchuk. Each bring something different to the table. Himon is a big play waiting to happen both on the ground and through the air, while Komalafe and Sawchuk can grind it between the tackles.

The Wildcats will likely be playing with Dennis Rabouski at left guard due to an injury to Ezomo Oratokhi. Northwestern is most successful running up the middle in either A-gaps, while runs to the outside have not been as productive. It will be interesting to see how the Wildcats attack the middle of the Indiana defense.

3. Aggressive in the Defensive Backfield

The Wildcats have mostly run some coverage with some man sprinkled in, but that has not stopped them from being aggressive against the pass. Northwestern has 16 pass breakups in just two games. Even though they do not have an interception, they are getting their hand on the ball. Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover will have to be precise with his throws.

With the aggressiveness comes the vulnerability to be beat for a big play. According to HUDLIQ 34.9% of passes against the Wildcats have gone for 15 or more yards and 8.8% have gone for over 30 yards. Trying to jump a route can lead to missed tackles and big plays for the opponents. If Northwestern does play aggressively on the back end, look for Indiana to utilize a double move or two, to keep them honest.