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When predicting what will happen on the gridiron on Saturdays, some people like to look towards the betting experts. Some will look at what the experts or simulations say. But one place that is common to look is history. And ever since Rutgers joined the Big Ten, them and Indiana have a strong history.
The Scarlet Knights made the jump to the Big Ten in 2014 and have played the Hoosiers every single season since then, with them both being in the East Division of their conference.
Things started out strong for Rutgers, winning the first two matchups in 2014 and 2015. In ’14, Rutgers, led by then head coach Kyle Flood, took out Indiana 45-23 at home. They would hit the road and win again under Flood in ’15 in a shootout, 55-52.
Since then, it has been all down hill for the Scarlet Knights. The series has been hosted by each team every-other-season from 2016 through 2020, but that has not impacted the outcome. The Hoosiers are on a five game winning streak. Rutgers was shutout twice in that span – both times on the road. They play at Indiana this weekend.
Current head coach Greg Schiano has only been here for one of the five losses – a 37-21 loss in Piscataway last season. The five game losing streak has gone as follow:
- 2016: Indiana 33, Rutgers 27
- 2017: Indiana 41, Rutgers 0
- 2018: Indiana 24, Rutgers 17
- 2019: Indiana 35, Rutgers 0
- 2020: Indiana 37, Rutgers 21
Although the Hoosiers are 2-7 this season with no conference wins, they are still expected to win according to ESPN FPI. Our friends at Tipico Sportsbook even have Rutgers as a 6.5 point underdog.
If the Scarlet Knights want any chance of making a bowl game this season, they will need to defy the odds and the history, and take down the storied Indiana Hoosiers program.