Northwestern vs Indiana head-to-head: position-by-position star ratings, experience, and composite grades on CFB Matchup. They meet Week 4, Friday, September 25, 2026.
The Breakdown
#6 Indiana edges Northwestern 65 to 63 — thin margin, driven by Hoover's fourth year and 3.7★ receivers.
When Northwestern has the ball: A 2.3★ receiver group averaging 2.3 years faces AJ Harris and Indiana's 3.3★ secondary. Full-star mismatch.
When Indiana has the ball: Turbo Richard, 4★ but two years in, tests Northwestern's 3.3★ linebackers averaging 3.3 seasons.
Swing factor: Both quarterbacks are 4★ portal arrivals: Josh Hoover's four college years against Aidan Chiles' three.
X-factor: A standalone Friday date in Bloomington, Week 4 — Indiana's crowd gets the stage to itself.