Week 5: Rutgers vs No. 6 Indiana Staff Picks and Predictions

The Scarlet Knights, 1-3 on the year face off against the defending national champions, the number 6 ranked team in the nation the Indiana Hoosiers tonight for a Homecoming and Blackout matchup.

Here are our staff picks and predictions:

Will Carmenaty, Sports Director:

Score Prediction: Indiana wins 41-27

This is by far the most difficult opponent Rutgers will have all season, and it comes at a very crucial point. Rutgers has looked like a completely different team the last two weeks compared to the first two. Still however in a 1-3 hole, they’ll need a completely perfect game played to pull this one off. I expect another batch of trickery from Coach Schiano tonight, but the execution of it will be the biggest test. On all fronts Indiana is elite, and will look to start from the jump after a nail biter last week at home against Northwestern.

Sean Newcomb, Program Director/Assistant Sports Director:

Score Prediction: Indiana wins 40-24

First off, what is a Hoosier? Well, the answer to that question could be defined as an undefeated, reigning national champion who is one of the most physical teams in the country. Rutgers has shown incremental improvements each week, but Indiana may be too talented for the Scarlet Knights to handle. I expect a closer game than people think, but the Hoosiers will pull away in the end due to an all-star performance from Josh Hoover and Charlie Becker.

Makali Pennycooke, Contributing Analyst:

Score Prediction: Indiana wins 42-28

Rutgers faces off against the best coach they will play on their schedule, Curt Cignetti. Indiana hasn’t lost a game since the 2024 College Football Playoffs. Rutgers has to look competitive with the largest home-attended game they will have on their schedule in order not to face national embarrassment.

Frank Palumbo, Contributing Analyst:

Score Prediction: Indiana wins 41-17

I don’t think Indiana covers the spread here, they haven’t covered in any game they were heavy favorites in, but this game is going to be quite lopsided with the reigning national champs coming into town. Expect Rutgers to maybe show life here and there in this game, but ultimately I think Coach Cig and the Hoosiers take care of business here pretty easily.

Ethan Barroway, Contributing Analyst:

Score Prediction: Indiana wins 49-14

Rutgers will get off to a good start but not be able to hang on. To stay in it, The Scarlet Knights will need to be win the turnover battle, something they only have done vs Howard this year.

Matthew Risko, Contributing Analyst:

Score Prediction: Indiana wins 38-14

The Hoosiers have a real good defense that can give Rutgers some trouble in this game. Longergan is going to have to play a clean game for Rutgers to win this game.

Brianna Beauvais, Contributing Analyst:

Score Prediction: Indiana wins 55-10

Seeing how Rutgers can wake up against Howard gave me some hope and also them playing against USC. However, it is the National Champions, and they look really good. I don’t have much hope and am expecting a blowout.

Genesis Dlugosz, Contributing Analyst:

Score Prediction: Indiana wins 55-21

I think Rutgers is going to put a good effort out there because it’s homecoming and the blackout. The last two games Rutgers hasn’t played have definitely has had huge improvements since the first two games of the season. But unfortunately I believe that Indiana is going to beat Rutgers because Indiana just has the better offensive and more confidence than Rutgers.

Zachary Feldman, Contributing Analyst:

Score Prediction: Indiana wins 32-24

Despite Indiana being heavily favored, I think the Rutgers offense has shown enough promise over the last couple games to hang with the Hoosiers. Ultimately, unfortunately for Rutgers, Indiana has too much quality for the Scarlet Knights to take home the win against the National Champs.

Jacob Kohner, Contributing Analyst:

Score Prediction: Indiana wins 31-20

Rutgers has shown it can move the ball against strong competition. The Scarlet Knights scored 35 points in a seven-point loss to USC, and Antwan Raymond and KJ Duff both made big plays in last week’s win over Howard. Indiana presents a tougher test. The Hoosiers are undefeated, and their rushing attack helped them hold off Northwestern even when that game got close. I think Rutgers’ offense and the Homecoming crowd will keep this competitive into the second half, but Indiana’s balance gives it the edge late. The Hoosiers win, while Rutgers covers the spread.

We’ll see how things play out for the Scarlet Knights against the 6th ranked Indiana Hoosiers. Rutgers Countdown begins at 7:00PM, then Will Carmenaty and Sean Newcomb have the call beginning at 7:45PM with Brianna Beauvais on the sideline, Kickoff is at 8:00PM. Catch it all on 88.7FM and online at wrsu.org.