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Matchup preview

Northwestern vs Indiana

Northwestern visit Indiana in Week 4. The model favors Indiana by 20.5. Win probability, the tale of the tape, and the all-time series, all from real data.

Win probability
11%
89%

Model win probability from SP+ ratings + home-field edge.

The read
Model analysis · September 23 · refreshed weekly

The model and market land in near lockstep on this one. SP+ rates Indiana 25.8 (fourth) against Northwestern's 7.7 (44th), an 18.1-point ratings gap that produces a projected Indiana margin of 20.5 and an 89% win probability. The consensus line of Indiana -21 with a 49.5 total implies 90%, and the ProphetX exchange pushes further, offering Indiana at -1400 (93%) and Northwestern at +1150 (8%). Across model, book and exchange, the disagreement is only a few points of implied probability.

The unit ranks explain the spread. Indiana carries the seventh offense and third defense; Northwestern pairs a 28th-ranked defense with a 63rd-ranked offense. Results reinforce it: Indiana has posted 52-16, 55-0 and 38-0, with two shutouts, while Northwestern won 34-18 over South Dakota State and 41-7 over Colorado. The defensive matchup is Northwestern's one edge on paper, but the offensive gulf is wide.

Series history is thin and favors the host: Indiana leads 2-1 and took the 2024 meeting 41-24. The season simulations separate them sharply, with Indiana projected for 9.4 wins, a 64.2% Playoff chance and 8% title odds against a market read of 8.8%, while Northwestern sits at 6.4 wins and 2.8% to reach the Playoff.

Model, book and exchange all converge on Indiana near 90%, and a 20.5-point projected margin leaves Northwestern little numerical room.

Matchup odds
Consensus line · 2 books
Spread
IU -21
Total (O/U)
49.5
Favorite
IU
Moneyline win probability (implied from the spread)

Real consensus line across 2 sportsbooks. Spread and total are the current market number; the win probabilities are implied from the spread.

Matchup odds price history
The market to win this game · daily prices, colored by the favorite
Northwestern7%-6 ptsvsIndiana93%+6 pts
0%25%50%75%100%Northwestern favoredIndiana favoredSep 12Sep 14Sep 16Sep 18Sep 20Sep 22Sep 23

Real daily prices from the market to win this game, shown as Northwestern's win price; Indiana's is 100 minus it (the same market's other side). Above the 50% line Northwestern is favored, below it Indiana is, and each candle takes the favored team's color. Kalshi shows open-high-low-close candles (filled body closed up, hollow closed down). As of Sep 23.

Tale of the tape
Percentile vs FBS · 2025 stats, 2026 SP+
#44SP+SP+: Bill Connelly's tempo- and opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, expressed in points above average.#4
#56FPIFPI: ESPN's Football Power Index, an overall measure of team strength.#1
1574EloElo: a rating that rises or falls after each game based on the result and the quality of the opponent.2346
-Title oddsDe-vigged consensus probability to win the national title, averaged across the prediction markets we track.8.8%
NorthwesternIndianasolid = better, faded = trailing
What these metrics mean
SP+. SP+: Bill Connelly's tempo- and opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, expressed in points above average.
FPI. FPI: ESPN's Football Power Index, an overall measure of team strength.
Elo. Elo: a rating that rises or falls after each game based on the result and the quality of the opponent.
Title odds. De-vigged consensus probability to win the national title, averaged across the prediction markets we track.
Off PPA. PPA (Predicted Points Added): the average point value each play adds. Higher is better for offense, lower for defense.
Success. Success rate: the share of plays that stay on schedule (roughly 50% of needed yards on 1st down, 70% on 2nd, 100% on 3rd/4th). Higher is better.
Explosive. Explosiveness: the average value of a team's successful plays, i.e. how big its good plays are when they hit.
Yards/game. Total yards gained per game.
Success allowed. How often the defense allows an on-schedule play (enough yards for the down). Lower is better.
Havoc. Havoc rate: the share of plays where the defense makes a tackle for loss, forced fumble, interception, or pass breakup.
Yards allowed. Total yards allowed per game. Lower is better.
Efficiency profile
Percentile vs FBS · 2025
Recent series
Indiana lead 2-1
Indiana have won the last 2
20162024
Head to head
Every meeting in our records
2024
41-24
Indiana
neutral site
2019
34-3
Indiana
at Indiana
2016
24-14
Northwestern
at Northwestern
More Week 4 matchups
Model previews for the rest of the slate
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How do I trade the Northwestern vs Indiana game?

Kalshi lists winner markets for college football games. Sign up with code FADE (trade $25, get up to $500), open the Northwestern vs Indiana market when it posts, and buy YES on your side; the price in cents equals the market's implied win probability. You can sell before kickoff or settlement at the current price.

When do Northwestern and Indiana play?

Week 4 of 2026, on Sep 26, 2026 at Indiana.

Who is favored?

The model projects Indiana by 20.5 (89% win probability), from SP+ ratings.

What is the all-time series?

Indiana lead 2-1 over the meetings in our records.

Full schedule → · Both teams' playoff odds, from 10,000 simulations →

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