Rise and shine Tailgaters; it’s Gameday! Welcome back to Hoosier Huddle’s newest weekly column: Tidbits for the Tailgate. Each week I’ll break down what you need to know before you head to the lots at Memorial Stadium: from players to watch, to what’s happening in other games, to tips for a successful tailgate.

What You Missed Last Week

Just Run Through the Endzone

Poor, Poor NC State. After a hard fought game against Vanderbilt, the Wildcats were nursing a 31-28 with 6 seconds left on their own 5-yard line. NC State quarterback CJ Bailey took the snap and attempted to run around before going down in the endzone. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, Vanderbilt was able to get a strip sack and fumble recovery in the endzone; winning the game 35-31. An Absolutely brutal way to lose a football game.

84-0

A week after the Ducks were upset by Oklahoma State, they returned to form against Portland State, beating the Vikings 84 to NOTHING. This beatdown and the fact that Portland State refused to shorten the fourth quarter led to a fierce debate online as to whether or not Oregon should’ve let their foot off the gas.

Hotty F#$@ing Toddy

In perhaps the most highly anticipated game of the season Lane Kiffin made his return to Oxford after leaving Ole Miss for rival LSU midseason. The game did not disappoint. After Ole Miss took a 17-0 lead in the second quarter, LSU came storming back to tie the game 24-24 in the fourth quarter. A 14-yard Trinidad Chambliss touchdown run and a successful two point conversion led to a 32-24 Ole Miss victory.

Woah Wildcats

One story that got buried through a wild week of college football was Kentucky’s upset of #9 Texas A&M. Behind first-year head coach Will Stein the Wildcats marched into College Station and left with a 31-21 victory over the Aggies; the first road win of Coach Stein’s career.

Hoosiers’ Matchup

Northwestern Wildcats

Campus: Evanston, Illinois

Mascot: Wildcats

Record This Season: 2-0

2025 Record: 7-6 (Won the GameAbove Sports Bowl)

Series Record: Indiana is 5-0 against WKU

Head Coach: David Braun (4th Season at Northwestern, 21-19 record)

Conference: Big Ten

What to Watch For

Daley and Wyatt’s Return

After missing the Western Kentucky game, fifth-year seniors Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt make their return after Monroe Circuit Court Judge Kara Krothe granted Daley and Wyatt a preliminary injunction. After Indiana struggled a little bit against WKU QB Brock Glenn in the QB run game, the return of two veteran runstoppers will be a welcome sight.

Contain Chiles

Indiana’s defense will face its toughest test of the season so far as they face off against Northwestern QB Aidan Chiles. The Michigan State transfer has found a new level to his game under OC Chip Kelly. Chiles is 31-46 with 514 yards and 4 TDs through two games this season. It will be up to the Hoosiers to contain him and the Wildcat offense on Friday night.

Beat The Wildcat Defense

Northwestern has a very aggressive secondary especially against the pass. While the Wildcats have yet to record an interception this season, they have an impressive 16 pass breakups this season. Josh Hoover and the Indiana passing attack is going to have to be sharp on Friday.

Tailgate Tip of the Week

Eat Before the Game

Friday Night Lights games are a great opportunity to get a good meal and check out the bars before heading to The Rock. I’d recommend hitting up Kirkwood and getting something to eat at Nick’s before heading to Upstairs and then the Tailgate Fields.