Three things Rutgers football must do vs. No. 6 Indiana

PISCATAWAY – Rutgers football has beaten Indiana each of the last three times the teams they’ve played, including two blowouts scored by the Scarlet Knights.

The last came in 2023.

A lot has changed since then.

While Rutgers is still struggling to find its footing as a program, the sixth-ranked Hoosiers have surged under Curt Cignetti, winning the national championship last year to cap one of the most significant turnarounds in college football history.

So needless to say, this is going to be a major challenge for Greg Schiano’s team when it plays the Hoosiers Saturday, Oct. 3 at SHI Stadium.

“Certainly a tall task but one we’re very excited about it,” Schiano said.

Rutgers football schedule: Scarlet Knights' next game

Rutgers hosts Indiana on Saturday, Oct. 3 at SHI Stadium in their Week 5 game.

What time is Rutgers vs. Indiana?

Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.

What channel is Rutgers vs. Indiana?

The game will be televised on Big Ten Network.

Streaming:Fubo

The Scarlet Knights are limping into this game with a 1-3 record, the lone win coming in a 58-7 demolition of FCS-level Howard.

Rutgers did put up a fight the previous week against USC before losing 42-35 – but Indiana is a better team than the Trojans.

The Scarlet Knights haven’t come close to putting together a perfect performance this season.

But if they’re going to put up a fight against the Hoosiers – let alone try and pull off a stunning upset – they’re going to have to be just about perfect.

Here are three things Rutgers must do against Indiana:

1. Avoid turnovers

If this seems like it’s becoming a theme, that’s because it is.

Rutgers committed 10 turnovers through its first three games (for context it committed 11 all of last season) before avoiding any against Howard.

But the Hoosiers’ defense is much more talented – and opportunistic – than the Bison. It’s not even a fair comparison.

Scarlet Knights quarterback Dylan Lonergan has to protect the football, something Schiano has emphasized to him after he threw five picks in his first two performances.

“It’s something we talked about together,” Lonergan said. “You’re not going to win the play on one down. Do your job every single play. When the moment presents itself, make the play. That’s all I can do.”

Rutgers is going to have a tough enough time hanging with Indiana.

It won’t be able to do that if it’s giving the ball away and killing opportunities.

2. Limit Indiana’s explosive plays

The jury’s still out on just how good this Hoosiers offense is compared to last year’s championship team.

Indiana in 2025 had an eventual Heisman Trophy winner in Fernando Mendoza leading the offense, and while TCU transfer Josh Hoover has played well as his replacement, he hasn’t yet been at the level of Mendoza, which is a lot to ask.

Still, the Hoosiers have dynamic playmakers in wide receiver Charlie Becker (370 receiving yards, six touchdowns in four games) and running backs Lee Beebe Jr. (438 rushing yards, three touchdowns) and Turbo Richard (383 yards, four touchdowns) – Richard’s status is uncertain after he got hurt against Northwestern, but Cignetti told reporters earlier this week the team received good news on Richard.

Rutgers’ defense, which is improving but still nowhere close to where it needs to be, must keep them from doing too much damage.

“They have a very good offensive line, they have very good running backs and they have a passing game that you have to respect,” Schiano said. “So you have to kind of pick your poison at times. The big thing’s going be limiting explosive plays.”

3. Get the ball into the hands of KJ Duff

Indiana might have Becker, but Rutgers has Duff, one of the top wide receivers in not just the Big Ten, but the country.

Duff is second in the conference with 550 receiving yards on 29 catches with seven touchdowns.

He’s (not surprisingly) has been the bright spot for a down Rutgers team. When the Scarlet Knights get the ball into his hands, good things happen.

Indiana’s secondary is certainly going to do everything it can to make it difficult as possible for Duff.

But if Rutgers’ offense is going to move the ball and get some explosive plays of its own, it’s going to have to exploit any possible mismatch or opportunity to get the ball into Duff’s hands.

Otherwise it could be a long day for the Scarlet Knights.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Three things Rutgers football must do vs. No. 6 Indiana