Below, I break down my favorite player prop bets for Friday evening’s game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Northwestern Wildcats.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
For easy access to tail my CFB picks swiftly, click here to join the CFB Committee Betting Group on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Indiana vs. Northwestern player props
Turbo Richard o74.5 total rushing yards
Before giving Northwestern’s defense too much credit for the seven points Colorado scored, I’d spend some time with the Buffaloes’ 180 rushing yards on 33 carries. Four takeaways helped the Wildcats win comfortably. Their front has allowed enough ordinary rushing success this year to get me stoked about Hoosiers’ Turbo Richard’s spot, here, especially after his 149-yard afternoon against Western Kentucky.
I don’t expect the same gaudy rushing line. Lee Beebe Jr. actually leads Richard 47–41 in season carries. Indiana has maintained its offensive efficiency through the quarterback transition to Josh Hoover, but Cignetti continues to distribute the backfield work. Richard’s 315 yards say considerably more about what he has done with his carries than how many he can expect Friday.
I’m allowing him roughly 13–16 against a Northwestern run defense currently last among the 68 Power 4 teams after opponent adjustment.
Over 74.5 just feels fair given how I project Richards’ efficiency against this Northwestern defense. Indiana’s slow pace and Beebe’s involvement already reduce my expectations for Richard’s volume. I still like the number.
Griffin Wilde o44.5 total receiving yards
Northwestern scarcely needed to chase points against Colorado, but still, Aidan Chiles directed five glorious passes toward his wideout Griffin Wilde. Wilde caught all five for 85 yards. Through two games, Wilde has eight receptions for 189. There’s reason to upgrade this passing offense under Chiles and Chip Kelly, provided we remember that South Dakota State and Colorado were their early opposition.
Indiana will stress-test this Wildcat connection, particularly when Chiles holds the ball too long in the pocket. The Hoosiers have generated negative plays on 15% of defensive snaps; Northwestern could spend much of Friday trying to recover from sacks and lost yardage if its protection falters.
The initial availability reports offer Wilde a more encouraging consideration. Indiana lists Carson Williams out and A.J. Harris doubtful, while Northwestern lists Hayden Eligon doubtful. Should those designations hold for game time, Wilde would operate in a thinner receiving rotation against a depleted cornerback group. You could see things narrowing in on him, and him alone.
At 44.5 three or four catches could suffice, and Northwestern should need a more persistent passing effort than it did against Colorado. I’m keeping the projection well below Wilde’s 94.5-yard average, because, you know. Hoosiers.
For easy access to tail my CFB picks swiftly, click here to join the CFB Committee Betting Group on DraftKings Sportsbook.
