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Matchup preview

Western Kentucky vs Indiana

Western Kentucky visit Indiana in Week 3. The model favors Indiana by 44.7. Win probability, the tale of the tape, and the all-time series, all from real data.

Win probability
0%
100%

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

The read
Model analysis · September 16 · refreshed weekly

SP+ frames this as a mismatch with little room for dispute. Indiana rates 25.4 (rank 5) against Western Kentucky at -13.3 (rank 116), a gap that yields a 99% model win probability and a projected Indiana margin of 41.1 points. The market runs even harder in the same direction, setting Indiana -44.2 with a 60.3 total and an implied 100% to 0% split. That three-point spread between the model margin and the consensus line is the only real disagreement on the board, and it tilts toward heavier Indiana exposure.

The unit ratings reinforce the ceiling. Indiana ranks #9 on offense and #8 on defense; Western Kentucky sits #101 and #125. Early results track the profile: Indiana opened 52-16 over North Texas and 55-0 over Howard, while Western Kentucky lost at Nevada 14-49 and at Georgia 20-70. The series favors Indiana 3-0, though the last meeting in 2022 was a 33-30 escape, the lone note suggesting the projected blowout is not automatic.

Longer view, the simulations separate the programs entirely. Western Kentucky projects to 4.8 wins with 0% Playoff and 0% title odds, while Indiana projects to 9.4 wins, 62% to reach the Playoff, and 6.8% to win it. That model title figure sits just under the market's 7.6%, a modest premium the market attaches to Indiana beyond what the ratings support.

The numbers point one direction only: Indiana by five-plus scores, with the market pricing the rout slightly steeper than the model.

Matchup odds
Consensus line · 3 books
Spread
IU -44.7
Total (O/U)
59.3
Favorite
IU
Moneyline win probability (implied from the spread)

Real consensus line across 3 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
Western Kentucky1%-1 ptsvsIndiana99%+1 pts
0%25%50%75%100%Western Kentucky favoredIndiana favoredSep 6Sep 9Sep 13Sep 16Sep 19Sep 20

Real daily prices from the market to win this game, shown as Western Kentucky's win price; Indiana's is 100 minus it (the same market's other side). Above the 50% line Western Kentucky 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+
#122SP+SP+: Bill Connelly's tempo- and opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, expressed in points above average.#4
#94FPIFPI: ESPN's Football Power Index, an overall measure of team strength.#1
1408EloElo: 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%
Western KentuckyIndianasolid = 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 3-0
Indiana have won the last 3
20152022
Head to head
Every meeting in our records
2022
33-30
Indiana
at Indiana
2021
33-31
Indiana
at Western Kentucky
2015
38-35
Indiana
at Indiana
More Week 3 matchups
Model previews for the rest of the slate
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How do I trade the Western Kentucky vs Indiana game?

Kalshi lists winner markets for college football games. Sign up with code FADE (trade $25, get up to $500), open the Western Kentucky 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 Western Kentucky and Indiana play?

Week 3 of 2026, on Sep 19, 2026 at Indiana.

Who is favored?

The model projects Indiana by 44.7 (100% win probability), from SP+ ratings.

What is the all-time series?

Indiana lead 3-0 over the meetings in our records.

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

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