QB
IU edgeJosh Hoover
IU 8
vs
RUT starter
6 RUT
Hoover is the better creator. Don't let Schiano turn it into 17–13.
Gameday picture · Week 5 · Big Ten
IU at RUT
Sat, Oct 3, 8:00 PM ET · TBD · SHI Stadium
Desk line: Indiana −7.5, total 52.5. First true road Big Ten. Schiano's front is why it isn't 14. 8 p.m. ET, SHI Stadium.
Spread
IU -7.5
Desk line
Total
52.5
Win
68%
Rutgers
21
desk projection
Hoosiers
30
Desk implied 30–23 · IU −280 / RUT +230
Kick weather
64°F
Cool Piscataway night · lo 48°F
Piscataway · SHI Stadium
25% precip
Window
TBD
8 p.m. ET at SHI Stadium. First true road Big Ten.
Schiano's front vs a road Hoover script.
Unit matchups
Quarterback
IU 8 · 6 RUT
Hoover vs a Schiano defense that lives on third down.
Offensive line
IU 7 · 7 RUT
Road in October. Schiano will twist you.
Receivers
IU 8 · 6 RUT
Marsh can still win. Rutgers corners are Big Ten-good, not Ohio State-good.
Front seven
IU 8 · 6 RUT
Rutgers wants to grind. Edge contain is the defensive script.
Secondary
IU 7 · 6 RUT
Don't overplay the run. They will throw it late.
Special teams
IU 7 · 7 RUT
SHI at night. Hidden yardage in a one-score road script.
Availability
- probable
Trevor Gibbs TE
Targeted back after the opener. Schott/Barker/Thiry have the two-deep either way.
- available
Josh Hoover QB
Full go. TCU transfer, first IU start. The season walks through him.
- available
Turbo Richard RB
Full go. BC transfer, the featured back and KR.
- available
Nick Marsh WR
Full go. Michigan State transfer is the X.
- available
Carter Smith OT
Full go. Left tackle and the public voice of the line.
What the tape says
- Start on schedule. Piscataway punishes three-and-outs in October.
- Protect Hoover. Schiano's twists are the whole problem.
- Marsh isolated. Force Rutgers to prove the corner.
- Steal a possession. Don't wait until the fourth.
History
- Greg Schiano's Rutgers at SHI Stadium. First true Big Ten road trip of 2026.
- A 7.5-point road favorite is a turnover game, not a style-points game.
- Nebraska is the next Saturday in Lincoln. Don't leave legs in New Jersey.
Roster advantage · vs Rutgers
IU holds the two-deep
Starter-vs-starter grades for Greg Schiano's Rutgers.
Net grade
+10
6 IU · 2 even · 0 RUT
RB
IU edgeTurbo Richard
IU 8
vs
RUT committee
6 RUT
If you run it, Rutgers sits.
WR
IU edgeNick Marsh
IU 8
vs
RUT corners
6 RUT
Marsh is the road mismatch if isolated.
OL
EvenCarter Smith
IU 7
vs
RUT front
7 RUT
Schiano lives here. Protection or bust.
EDGE
IU edgeChiddi Obiazor
IU 8
vs
RUT tackles
6 RUT
Get home on third-and-long.
DL
EvenTyrique Tucker
IU 7
vs
RUT interior
7 RUT
They will run downhill. Hold the point.
LB
IU edgeRolijah Hardy
IU 7
vs
RUT skill
6 RUT
Alley fits vs a physical offense.
DB
IU edgeAmare Ferrell
IU 7
vs
RUT receivers
6 RUT
Late-game throws. Don't give a free shot.