Nebraska football vs. Indiana: Odds, prediction and how to watch

After a bye week, the biggest test of the 2024 Nebraska football season awaits. On Saturday, the Huskers will take on 16th-ranked Indiana.

The Hoosiers haven’t played the toughest schedule in the world but they are 6-0 and have won every game by at least 14 points which includes Big Ten wins over UCLA, Maryland, and Northwestern.

Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule said on Monday that facing Indiana was like playing a top-10 team. “They just aren’t getting the respect they deserve,” he said.

Quarterback Kurtis Rourke leads an offense that’s averaging 47.5 points per game, second in all of college football in the first season under head coach Curt Cignetti. The Hoosiers average 515 yards per game of total offense with 315 yards through the air and 200 per game coming on the ground.

Rourke has completed 73.8 percent of his passes and has 14 touchdowns compared to two interceptions. His top target is former James Madison wideout Elijah Sarratt who has 29 receptions for 513 yards and two scores. He also had over 1,100 yards for James Madison last season.

Indiana has three guys with over 200 yards receiving and two running backs with over 329 rushing yards. The Hoosiers also average 5.1 yards per attempt. The Blackshirts have been an elite defense allowing just 11.3 points per game (7th in college football) and just 2.6 yards per rushing attempt.

Indiana hasn’t faced a defense quite like Nebraska. The defensive line will need to be stout and the secondary will hopefully get Tommi Hill back. The Huskers will need all hands on deck and looking ahead to Saturday, here’s how to watch, the odds, and a prediction against the spread.

Nebraska football vs. Indiana odds

Indiana is a 6.5-point favorite according to the Vegas oddsmakers right now. The over/under is 50.5 points and the moneyline is +195 for the Huskers and -238 for Indiana.

Nebraska fooball vs. Indiana how to watch

Kickoff: 11:00 CST

Where: Bloomington, Indiana

TV: Fox

Radio: Huskers.com

Streaming: Fox Sports APP/FUBO TV

Nebraska vs. Indiana prediction against the spread

Indiana is the best team Nebraska has played thus far. That will change with the trip to Columbus next week, but this is a huge opportunity to find out what this team is.

If Nebraska football can win this game, we can start talking playoff contender. If not, and the Huskers are beaten handily two weeks in a row, that will reset expectations.

Indiana hasn’t faced a defense like Nebraska’s but the Huskers haven’t faced an offense quite as explosive and as balanced as Indiana’s. Again, Northwestern is probably the best defense the Hoosiers have faced, but they are rolling up yards and points like they are going out of style.

That being said, Ceyair Wright, Tommi Hill, and Marques Buford will be the best trio of defensive backs this team has seen and I don’t see Indiana doing much on the ground. Their defense is stout too though. Their pass rush is talented (19 sacks) even if Indiana is getting just 1.2 takeaways per game.

Northwestern and Maryland were within a score in the second half against Indiana and Nebraska will challenge the Hoosiers physically in a way no one else has.

I’m not going to throw out my final score prediciton yet, which will come Friday, but for now, I’m taking the Huskers with the 6.5 points (and the under). Indiana might win the game, but if they do, the margin will be within a touchdown.

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