This Saturday at noon ET, the No. 13 Indiana Hoosiers (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) will take on the Washington Huskies (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) in a match that promises to be filled with excitement. The betting odds from BetMGM have Indiana favored by 7 points. In their historical meetings, Indiana currently holds a slight edge with 2 wins to Washington’s 1.
As the season progresses, Indiana has emerged as one of the most unexpected success stories in college football. A victory this weekend would not only put them on par with the 1967 Rose Bowl team for their best start but would also help them maintain their lead in the Big Ten standings, putting them on a path toward a potential playoff berth. On the other hand, Washington has had a challenging season after losing 21 of its 22 starters from last year’s national runner-up squad, making their road to recovery a tough one.
An essential matchup to look out for is between Washington’s wide receiver Denzel Boston and the Indiana secondary. With the departure of their top three receivers to the NFL, the 6-foot-4, 209-pound Boston has had the opportunity to shine. He leads the Big Ten and ranks second across the nation with nine touchdown receptions, offering a stern test for Indiana, which ranks 30th in pass defense.
Key players in this matchup include Washington’s cornerback Thaddeus Dixon, who has shown impressive versatility throughout the season. Standing at 6-foot-1, Dixon has matched up effectively against taller receivers and brings a solid stat line into Week 9, including 19 tackles, half a tackle for loss, an interception, and a team-leading six pass breakups. Testing his abilities could be a double-edged sword for Indiana.
On the Indiana side, quarterback Tayven Jackson is a player to watch. Since transferring from Tennessee, this third-year player has captivated fans and will now take the lead with starter Kurtis Rourke sidelined due to thumb surgery. Last week, Jackson demonstrated promise while stepping in for the injured Rourke, showing he could be the one to help keep the Hoosiers perfect this season.
In terms of additional facts, the College Gameday crew is visiting Bloomington for the second time, having previously been there for the 2017 opener against Ohio State. Washington won the last meeting in their series back in 2003 after suffering defeats in the 1970s. Notably, the Hoosiers have achieved a remarkable feat by scoring over 40 points in six consecutive games, setting a school record. Washington’s defense is also noteworthy, ranking third in pass efficiency defense, eighth in total defense, and 16th in scoring defense. Additionally, Washington quarterback Will Rogers is among the select group of 14 FBS players who have surpassed the 14,000-yard mark in career passing. With 28 rushing touchdowns, Indiana ranks second in the FBS, only behind Army. However, Washington has struggled away from home, currently holding a record of 0-3 in games played outside of Husky Stadium.