There aren’t many teams that can boast victories over three BCS conference teams at this point in the season, however Northwestern is one of them. The ‘Cats open Big Ten play at home against perennial doormat Indiana after finishing non-conference play with an unblemished record. Northwestern owns victories over Boston College, Vanderbilt, Syracuse and South Dakota – three unspectacular BCS schools, but BCS schools nonetheless.
The cliché is old, but true in Bloomington: Is it basketball season yet? Hoosier fans are awaiting another miserable Big Ten season. Any hopes for a bowl bound team went out the window when starting QB Tre Roberson went down with a season ending injury in week 2.
Indiana has shown it can put points on the board so far this season, albeit against bad competition. Northwestern can put up points on anyone in the Big Ten, especially Indiana, who is widely regarded as having the worst defense in the conference.
What will happen: Northwestern will put up points on the Hoosiers at a rate that will leave NU basketball coach Bill Carmody’s head spinning. NU rushed for 277 yards against South Dakota a week ago and Indiana’s defense isn’t going to pose any more of a challenge. Wildcat standout RB Venric Mark gets three TDs for the second week in a row as NU rolls in front of what will sure to be a raucous “crowd” of at least 25,000. Close the library, Northwestern has a football team!
Prediction: Northwestern 53 Indiana 20
Play: Northwestern -11.5
Written by: Ben Zimmer
Ben is 1-0 in his spread picks so far this year. Check out his other predictions for this week here.
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Indiana Hoosiers • Northwestern Wildcats • Week 5