Indiana football will take on Northwestern this weekend when the Hoosiers host the Wildcats for the first Big Ten matchup of the season.
While the focus will be on what happens Friday night, the Indiana Hoosiers and Northwestern Wildcats have a history that dates back to 1899. The Hoosiers enter this year's matchup with an all-time record of 36-47-1 against Northwestern, including a home record of 16-17.
Indiana has only won 3 of the last 10 matchups with the Wildcats but has won both of the last two contests under Curt Cignetti.
Indiana's longest winning streak in the series is nine from 1985 to 1993. For Northwestern, its longest win streak is seven from 1959 to 1965.
Last Meeting
The most recent matchup between Indiana and Northwestern came in 2024, with the Hoosiers coming away with a 41-24 victory.
Indiana took a 17-10 lead into the half and Northwestern kept it close through three quarters before the Hoosiers put 17 up in the fourth quarter to earn the victory going away. Because the game was clean with neither team committing a turnover, it came down to quarterback play and Hoosiers signal caller Kurtis Rourke was the difference.
On the game, Rourke went 25-of-33 for 380 yards and three touchdowns. Northwestern quarterback Jack Lausch was also pretty solid, completing 23-of-38 pass attempts for 243 yards and two touchdowns of his own.
That game was on the road in Evanston and Friday night's game will be played in Bloomington, giving this year's game a home-field dynamic.
Recent History
Over the last five meetings, Indiana has gone 2-3 against Northwestern.
- 2024: Indiana 41, Northwestern 24
- 2019: Indiana 34, Northwestern 3
- 2016: Indiana 14, Northwestern 24
- 2012: Indiana 29, Northwestern 44
- 2011: Indiana 38, Northwestern 59
A lot of the games in this series have been a little one sided, but one of the more memorable games in the series came in 1981. It still stands as the smallest margin of victory in the recorded series history with a 21-20 Indiana win.
What History Says About Friday
Of course, past results don't determine what happens on Friday. The two teams entering this year's matchup are different from ones that played in all previous matchups.
Indiana enters the game at 3-0, while Northwestern is sitting at 2-0. The Hoosiers have been absolutely dominant, while Northwestern has been pretty overpowering as well. The Wildcats are coming off a 41-7 win over Colorado.
Still, the history between these programs adds another layer to Friday's matchup. Indiana will look to keep rolling like a well-oiled machine, while Northwestern will try to foil IU's title defense.
With another chapter about to be written, Friday will add to a series that already includes 84 meetings and plenty of memorable moments.
