What: #6 Indiana Hoosiers (4-0) at Rutgers Scarlet Knights (1-3)
When: Saturday, October 3 at 8:00 PM
Where: SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ
How to Watch: The game will be broadcast on BTN and can be heard on the IU Radio Network.
Spread and Total: IU -23.5 | Total of 55.5
Series History: It is Curt Cignetti’s third season in the Big Ten but this will be the first time he is squaring off against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Indiana and Rutgers have played ten times with the two schools splitting the contests. Do you remember when these “toss-up” games against schools like Maryland and Rutgers in the Big Ten East were often the deciding factor whether or not IU would make a bowl game? It was not that long ago and the three straight losses for Tom Allen’s Hoosiers against Greg Schiano’s Scarlet Knights (2021-2023) were a major reason for the end of his tenure. Rutgers has won the last three games including a 31-14 blowout in Bloomington in 2023.
What’s at Stake: The Indiana Hoosiers are ranked 6th in the country and have the nation’s longest winning streak with 20 victories in a row. That written, many national analysts and even IU fans have voiced concerns and disgruntlement about closer than expected games and a lack of dominance against the Northwestern Wildcats. There are certainly areas that need cleaned up: the secondary, IU’s running back depth and some execution issues in the deep passing game being chief among them. The Hoosiers will be looking for a crisp performance in their first road game and to build confidence by improving to 5-0 before a very tough away test in Lincoln.
A Few Things to Look For
Dangerous Duo For Scarlet Knights
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights have a lot of flaws but they do have a couple of offensive players that are very capable of causing IU’s defense issues. KJ Duff is one of the best outside receivers the Hoosiers will face all season and running back Antwan Raymond is a future NFL player. Much has been written and said this week about IU’s struggles in pass defense but the issues have largely come against slot receivers and seam passes to tight ends, not on the perimeter of the defense. Duff will test that. He’s a big target at 6’6” and he already has seven touchdowns including some terrific highlight-reel worthy receptions. The junior has exceeded 130 yards in three of their four games and has at least one score in each contest. On the ground, Raymond is averaging 5.6 yards per rush and has five total touchdowns. Dylan Lonergan is turnover prone and he doesn’t have the same escapability that Aiden Chiles did last week so expect Bryant Haines to focus on causing havoc in the RU backfield and making it difficult for Lonergan to find a clean pocket and get the ball to his playmakers.
Can the Offense Get Right?
It would not be fair to say that IU’s offense is struggling. After all, the Hoosiers are averaging 43.5 points per game and better than 7.63 yards per play. For context, the 2025 Hoosiers (16-0 National Champions) finished averaging 41.6 points and 6.79 yards per play. Of course, that was after a 16-game season and much tougher competition but the point still stands: IU’s offense has not played poorly. It has felt like things are a bit off in the passing game, though, with Josh Hoover failing to connect on multiple deep shots to Charlie Becker or Nick Marsh and IU currently converting on just 52.27 percent of third downs. Turbo Richard figures to be a game-time decision on Saturday night and even if he can play, he figures to be a bit limited. That leaves the Hoosiers with only Lee Beebe remaining as the healthy running back from the expected three-headed monster they came into the season with. How will Mike Shanahan adjust his play-calling as he goes against a Rutgers defense that has, to put it charitably, struggled considerably. Rutgers is 114th in the country in rush defense (5.1 yards per rush) and 115th in opponent completion percentage (68.67%) while surrendering 35.7 points per game against FBS competition. Only Purdue is worse in the Big Ten (46.3 points per game!). This should be a big night for IU’s attack on both the ground and through the air but they need to show an ability to consistently execute well.
Road Trip
After four straight games in Bloomington, this is IU’s first road game of the 2026 campaign. Rutgers is not a particularly intimidating place to play but this is Homecoming for the Scarlet Knights and Indiana is going to get every team’s best shot this season. The Hoosiers are heavily favored but it’s a night game on the road and nothing can be taken for granted.
Other Indian Football Content from the Week
Numbers that Matter: No. 6 Indiana at Rutgers
IU Will Raise the Victory Flag against Rutgers If…
Lee Beebe credits downfield blocking for Indiana’s success on the ground
Tobi Osunsanmi Speaks on the Current State of the Indiana Defensive Line
Matchup To Watch: Rutgers’ 3rd Downs and Explosive Plays vs. Indiana’s Secondary
Chatter From the Other Sideline: Rutgers Head Coach Greg Schiano
Podcast: Behind Enemy Lines: Rutgers Scarlet Knights Preview with Richie O’Leary
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