Excitement is building for the Indiana Hoosiers as former head coach Lee Corso and the College GameDay crew make their way to Bloomington for Saturday’s Big Ten showdown against the Washington Huskies. Will Curt Cignetti extend his remarkable run, or will the Purple Reign cool off the mid-afternoon buzz?
Our Washington vs. Indiana prediction covers everything you need to know, from the latest betting odds to each team’s prospects for the rest of the 2024 college football season.
Washington vs. Indiana Betting Preview
All Washington vs. Indiana odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. The CFN Spread comes from College Football Network’s Football Playoff Meter.
- CFN FPM Spread
Indiana -13.5 - Spread
Indiana -6 - Moneyline
Indiana -238, Washington +195 - Over/Under
54.5 points - Game time
Noon ET - Location
Memorial Stadium | Bloomington, IN - Predicted Weather at Kick
64 degrees, mostly sunny, 9 mph winds - How to Watch
Big Ten Network
It’s been over 20 years since these two teams last met and even longer since the Huskies flew into Bloomington. While Washington won the last time they clashed, Indiana holds a 2-1 advantage over their new Big Ten foe. Despite an injury to star quarterback Kurtis Rourke, the Hoosiers are the betting favorite for this crucial Big Ten matchup, and it’s easy to understand why.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Season with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
Indiana hasn’t trailed in a game all season, and it’s allowed them to not only go undefeated through eight weeks, but they’ve covered the spread for six consecutive games since narrowly failing to cover in their season-opener against FIU. Washington has only covered three times (with a push vs. Rutgers) and failed to cover by a country mile in the only game as an underdog.
Washington’s Winning Probability
According to the CFN FPM, Washington has just a 16.5% chance of beating the Hoosiers on Saturday afternoon. It’s worth noting that our metric predicted the Huskies’ defeats to the Washington State Cougars, Rutgers Scarlet Knights, and Iowa Hawkeyes.
- at Indiana: 16.5%
- vs. USC: 49.4%
- at Penn State: 7.2%
- at Oregon: 5.5%
- vs. UCLA: 79.3%
If those win probabilities were to hold true, Washington would end the year with a 5-7 record, a significant downturn in fortunes after reaching the National Championship Game in 2023. However, a difficult season was projected with the transfer portal, NFL, and coaching staff departures. The matchup with the USC Trojans holds the key to potential bowl eligibility.
Indiana’s Winning Probability
Conversely, the CFN FPM gives the Hoosiers an 83.5% chance of beating the Huskies on Saturday afternoon. Our metric has predicted every game of Indiana’s current incredible run, and while the injury to starting quarterback Rourke is suboptimal, it doesn’t necessarily mean the streak ends in Week 9.
- vs. Washington: 83.5%
- at Michigan State: 80.6%
- vs. Michigan: 77.4%
- at Ohio State: 24.7%
- vs. Purdue: 95.1%
If those win probabilities were to hold true, the Hoosiers would reach the clash with the Ohio State Buckeyes with a 10-0 record, something no one would have predicted before the season. Even with a projected defeat to Ryan Day’s team, Indiana should finish the year with an 11-1 record, which could be enough to play in the Big Ten Championship Game, depending on other results.
Prediction for Washington vs. Indiana
When College GameDay chose Bloomington as the Week 9 destination, they likely envisioned a celebration of all the Hoosiers have achieved this season—especially the success of quarterback Rourke. While his injury casts a shadow over the festivities, are the Huskies truly capable of spoiling the party—and Indiana’s undefeated streak?
What does this matchup mean for the Hoosiers without Rourke at the helm? Can Jedd Fisch’s Washington team secure a much-needed road win? Who holds the advantage, and where will the crucial battles unfold?
Rourke’s injury is significant, and the oddsmakers’ reaction shows just how much it matters. The 2022 MAC Offensive Player of the Year leads the Big Ten in passing touchdowns (15) and yards per attempt (10.7) while ranking second only to Dillon Gabriel with a 74.6% completion rate. He’s been a major factor in Indiana’s 2024 success.
However, backup-turned-starter Tayven Jackson has stepped in capably for Rourke this season, bringing experience from his five starts in 2023. More importantly, he has the mobility to extend plays with his legs, and with Indiana’s strong running game, that element could be just what the Hoosiers need to get past Washington in Week 9.
It’s not often highlighted, but Indiana’s ground game can dominate. The Hoosiers just dismantled the Nebraska Cornhuskers with their rushing attack, and they currently lead the Big Ten in rushing touchdowns—by 10 scores.
That’s right, not 10 touchdowns total, but 10 more than the next closest team. Only Iowa and Ohio State boast a higher yards-per-carry average than the Hoosiers this season, powered by a formidable duo in Justice Ellison and Ty Son Lawton.
In every one of Washington’s losses this year (against Rutgers, Iowa, and Washington State), they’ve surrendered two rushing touchdowns. Only three Big Ten teams have given up more rushing yards per game than the Huskies.
While game analysis involves more than just comparing rushing offenses to rush defenses, this matchup may come down to a simple formula: Indiana can control the clock, run the ball effectively, and withstand whatever Washington throws at them. Plus, the Huskies have yet to win a game away from Husky Stadium this season.
Prediction: Washington 19, Indiana 30
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