Indiana vs. Rutgers Prediction: Week 5 Odds, Picks & Best Bet
Defending national champion and No. 6 Indiana brings a 20-game winning streak into a road Big Ten matchup against Rutgers, and my Indiana vs. Rutgers prediction expects a big victory from the road favorites. Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti sounded awfully critical of his team after a narrow 29-23 victory over Northwestern last week, and that cannot mean good things for an undermanned 1-3 Rutgers squad.
Kickoff from SHI Stadium in Piscataway is set for 8 p.m. ET tonight (BTN), and Indiana is a 24.5-point betting favorite.
🏈 Indiana vs. Rutgers picks & predictions
See all of our experts' college football picks for Week 5 based on the latest college football odds.
| Pick | Bet size |
|---|---|
| ATS: Indiana -24.5 (-105 via FanDuel) | 1 unit to win 0.95 units |
| O/U: Under 56.5 (-108 via DraftKings) | 1 unit to win 0.93 units |
Total wagered: 2 units | Max profit: 1.88 units
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💰 Indiana vs. Rutgers prediction & best bet
Check out all of our college football predictions for more analysis across this week's slate.
🔴 Indiana -24.5 (-105 via FanDuel)
Curt Cignetti may not agree after last week’s performance, but his Hoosiers have been a well-disciplined team that hasn’t turned the ball over once through four games. That is a stark contrast and a huge advantage they have against Rutgers, who averages 3.3 turnovers per game with its quarterbacks combining for nine interceptions alone.
The fact that Indiana can rush for 5.7 yards per carry (sixth most in the country) helps its ball security, as quarterback Josh Hoover doesn’t have to put the ball in harm’s way too much. Even if the Hoosiers did have to rely on his arm, Hoover entered the season with the most passing yards of any FBS quarterback over the last two years (7,421).
Indiana’s rushing attack is likely to be bolstered by some positive injury news as running back Turbo Richard avoided a serious ankle injury before leaving last week’s win with 69 yards on nine carries. Even though Richard is trending towards playing, Indiana still got a whopping 203 yards on 24 carries from backup Lee Beebe Jr. last week.
📡 SBR Edge: An unprecedented streak
Indiana's 20-game winning streak is just the fourth winning streak of 20+ games by a Big Ten team since 1980. And while the Hoosiers dropped from No. 5 to No. 6 in this week's AP poll, it's worth noting that they improved to 16-3 when playing as a top-5 team.
The Hoosiers are built to negate Rutgers' biggest offensive strength
Rutgers is still just 1-2 in its last three games, but was able to be competitive in seven-point losses to Boston College and then-No. 12 USC on the strength of a rejuvenated running game. Running back Atwan Raymond has eclipsed 120 yards rushing in three straight games, but Indiana allows just 65.8 yards per game on the ground, the fewest in the Big Ten.
Instead, it’s Indiana that should have the significant edge from a rushing perspective, as it has 27 multi-rushing touchdown games in 33 games since the start of 2024.
Score prediction: Indiana 38, Rutgers 10
📊 Live Indiana vs. Rutgers odds
See the latest college football odds for every Week 5 matchup.
Indiana vs. Rutgers opening odds
- Moneyline: Indiana -2500 | Rutgers +1400
- Spread: Indiana -22.5 (-110) | Rutgers +22.5 (-108)
- Over/Under: Over 55.5 (-110) | Under 55.5 (-108)
📺 How to watch Indiana vs. Rutgers: Week 5
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
- Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: SHI Stadium (Piscataway, N.J.)
- TV: BTN
- Streaming: FOX Sports
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Sportsbook Review may receive a commission if you sign up through our links. Not intended for use in MA. Bonuses not applicable in Ontario. 21+ only. (Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
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