Opening Line: Indiana Underdogs Against Rutgers in Homecoming Game

Indiana continues the 2023 season with its homecoming game on Saturday at Noon ET against the 5-2 Rutgers Scarlet Knights. As of Monday, Rutgers is favored by 5.5 points.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana returns to Memorial Stadium for a homecoming game Saturday against Rutgers.

The Hoosiers are 5.5-point underdogs, and the over/under is set at 42.5 points, according to the SI Sportsbook on Monday afternoon. Kickoff is scheduled for Noon ET on the Big Ten Network.

Indiana 3-3 against the spread in 2023 

• Week 1: Covered 30-point spread in 23-3 loss to Ohio State
• Week 2: Covered 31-point spread in 41-7 win over Indiana State
• Week 3: Covered 10-point spread in 21-14 loss to Louisville
• Week 4: Did not cover 16.5-point spread in 29-27 win over Akron
• Week 5: Did not cover 14.5-point spread in 44-17 loss at Maryland
• Week 7: Did not cover 33-point spread in 52-7 loss at Michigan

Indiana is coming off a pair of blowout losses on the road to Maryland and Michigan. The Hoosiers held an early 7-0 lead and dominated the total yards margin in the first quarter against Michigan, but completely fell apart in the final three quarters. Indiana has played the second-most difficult schedule among FBS teams in 2023, behind only Arkansas, according to ESPN's Football Power Index.

Coach Tom Allen and new offensive coordinator Rod Carey rotated between redshirt freshmen quarterbacks Tayven Jackson and Brendan Sorsby in this game, but neither played particularly well or separated themselves. Allen said Indiana will not rotate quarterbacks in this manner moving forward, though he did not publicly say who the starting quarterback will be. 

Quarterback Dexter Williams II is progressing in his rehab and could return at some point this season, as he was listed questionable against Michigan for the first time this season.

On the other sideline, Rutgers has jumped out to a 5-2 record, which already ties a season high across four seasons with coach Greg Schiano. The Scarlet Knights secured convincing wins over Northwestern, Temple, Virginia Tech and Wagner, and most recently eked out a 27-24 win over Michigan State. In that game, Rutgers erased a 24-6 deficit in the fourth quarter and scored 21 unanswered points. Rutgers' first loss game in Week 4 at Michigan, 31-7, then two weeks later at Wisconsin, 24-13. 

Saturday's game at Indiana represents Rutgers best chance at a road win so far this season, and oddsmakers predict them to do so.

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• JACK'S TAKE: Indiana rotated quarterbacks Tayven Jackson and Brendan Sorsby during Saturday’s 52-7 loss at Michigan, but neither made a convincing case to earn the starting job. Dexter Williams II is close to returning from injury, adding another layer to the decision. Indiana needs to stop the rotation and pick one. CLICK HERE
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