Minnesota vs Indiana Prediction: Are the Hoosiers Okay?

If Nick Marsh’s foot was a few inches to the right in the final moments against Ohio State, Indiana would be the unanimous No. 1 team in every poll on a 24-game winning streak coming into this showdown against Minnesota.The Hoosiers won at Michigan, took out a solid Nebraska in Lincoln, and they’re the only team so far to beat Northwestern. So why doesn’t it feel like Indiana is rocking and rolling as it cruises down the road to another College Football Playoff appearance? All of the close games don’t help the perception, but great teams win even when they don’t dominate.Minnesota has managed to put together a wonderful season, with trophy wins over Michigan and Iowa on the way to a 5-2 start. That was good, but after getting rocked by Purdue 41-13 the last time they were in the state of Indiana, the Gophers have to show up large to pull this off.Minnesota vs Indiana: Quick HitsMinnesota hosts UCLA next, and closes with at Penn State, Northwestern, and at Wisconsin.Indiana starts a finishing kick with three of the four games at home, hosting USC after this before going to Washington, and then finishing up against Purdue.Minnesota won the first meeting 8-6 in 1906, and took down the Hoosiers 35-14 in the last meeting in 2021.How To Watch Minnesota vs IndianaDate: Saturday, October 31, 2026Game Time: 3:30 PM ETTV: CBSLocation: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN– Week 9 Schedule, Game Previews– CFN Top 25 | Bowl Projections– Predicting the First CFP Top 25– CFN Week 9 Expert PicksWhy Minnesota Will WinJust be able to run a little bit.Quarterback Drake Lindsey might be a great NFL draft prospect, but things don’t work as well when he’s throwing it all of the time.Indiana is having a hard time controlling the clock. Minnesota keeps the ball for over 32 minutes per game, and it has to do that with the ground attack.Minnesota isn’t a running team – it tries, but it’s not great at it. However, just a little bit of success is everything, going 5-0 when the offense runs for more than 70 yards. To break it down even more, the Gophers ran for fewer than 30 yards in the losses to Purdue and Mississippi State.Why Indiana Will WinIt’s not a given that Indiana’s run defense gives up 30 yards, much less 70.It stuffed Northwestern, didn’t let Michigan’s ground game go anywhere, and only North Texas and Nebraska averaged more than 2.1 yards per carry.No, this isn’t the Indiana team of last year. But this one finds ways to succeed with timely big plays, situational success, and few mistakes. It’s Indiana. It has only been flagged 30 times so far, with just four turnovers.Minnesota vs Indiana Prediction, Betting LinesIndiana quarterback Josh Hoover is battling through bumps and bruises – he’ll play with a dinged arm – but Turbo Richard and the Hoosier ground attack will take over and carry the day.It’ll be more of a methodical win than a sensational one, but it’s Indiana. Just win, Cignetti.Indiana 30, Minnesota 10Latest Consensus Line: Indiana -20.5, o/u: 40.5ATS Confidence (out of 5): 2.5Must See Rating (out of 5): 4Consensus line based on BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.