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

Burnt Auburn, Not Volunteer Orange

Last week’s premier matchup was a “Battle of the Oranges,” as #1 Texas faced off against #14 Tennessee at Neyland Stadium. The Longhorns defeated the Volunteers 20-17 in a hard-fought game which featured a wild ending. After scoring on an 80-yard drive to cut the lead to three. The Volunteers then recovered the onside kick and had the chance to win the game with a Hail Mary.

The Clock Giveth, The Clock Taketh Away

Order has been restored in the college football world. Three weeks after “The Phantom Second” allowed Michigan to pull off a Hail Mary win over Western Michigan, Iowa gave the Wolverines a taste of their own medicine, defeating Michigan on a last-second touchdown pass. Something tells me a lot of Bronco fans just became Hawkeye fans for the rest of the season.

Get Well Soon, Dante

Injuries are the worst part of football, especially when they are severe and do not need to happen. This is exactly what happened last Saturday during the Oregon vs. USC game. As Ducks QB Dante Moore slid following a scramble, he absorbed a brutal hit to the head from USC’s Desman Stephens. As Moore lay motionless on the field receiving medical attention, Stephens celebrated by mocking duck wings. Not a good look. Moore was taken by ambulance to LA General County Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a concussion and will be out for an extended period of time. Stephens was suspended one game by USC for his conduct following the hit.

Davis War-HIM

Those of you who went to bed early on Saturday missed an absolute masterclass from Stanford QB Davis Warren. Warren, a Michigan transfer, famously beat Ohio State in 2024 after only throwing 16 passes for 62 yards. Now the starting QB for the Cardinal, Warren has found his rhythm. Down 20-10 to Alberto Mendoza and Georgia Tech at halftime, Warren put together a great comeback performance to lead the Cardinal to a 34-27 win. The Michigan transfer was 22-of-36 with 396 yards and three touchdowns, as he has found his confidence in the passing game.

Hoosiers’ Matchup

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Campus: Piscataway, New Jersey

Mascot: Scarlet Knights / Sir Henry the Scarlet Knight

Record This Season: 1-3

2025 Record: 5-7

Series Record: Indiana is 5-5 against Rutgers

Head Coach: Greg Schiano (16th Season at Rutgers, [2001-2011, 2020-Present] 68-67, 32-44)

Conference: Big Ten

What to Watch For

Contain KJ Duff

The Scarlet Knights have a supremely talented wide receiver in KJ Duff. The 6’6” junior already has three games over 130 yards receiving and has scored in every game this season. The game plan for Rutgers will surely be to get Duff involved early and often. The Hoosiers have had some struggles in coverage against seam routes this season, and containing Duff will be a good litmus test for this defense.

Silence The Crowd

After four straight games at home, Indiana goes on the road for the first time this season. The Hoosiers head to Piscataway, where it will be Homecoming for the Rutgers Alumni. Taking the crowd out of the equation early will be key in allowing the Indiana offense to execute to the best of its abilities.

Offensive Execution

Speaking of Indiana’s offensive execution, that is another thing to keep an eye on on Saturday. Throughout the beginning of the season, there have been several plays where the Hoosiers have had the chance for chunk plays and just were not able to execute. Quarterback Josh Hoover has taken the brunt of the criticism, but execution is a team effort. Especially with a banged-up running back room the Hoosiers have to make sure they mind their Xs and Os.

Tailgate Tip of the Week

Big Breakfast

It’s another night game this week, and that means you’ll need a big breakfast to keep you going until kickoff. If you’re up for a little bit of a drive, I would recommend driving from Piscataway to Little Ferry, New Jersey, to visit Ben’s Bagel Barn, one of the best bagel shops in the state.

Check Out the Museums

Like any college campus, Rutgers is home to some great museums. If you have time before the game, check out the Zimmerli Art Museum and the Rutgers Geology Museum to get some culture and see a Mastodon and 2,400-year-old Ptolemaic mummy.