On Saturday, the Indiana Hoosiers (3-0) will take on the Charlotte 49ers (1-2) at 12 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.
Last week, Indiana participated in UCLA's first ever conference game as a member of the Big Ten. However, it wasn't a very welcoming affair as the Bruins were beatdown, 42-13, in Pasadena, allowing the Hoosiers to improve to 3-0 in the Curt Cignetti era.
Meanwhile, Charlotte rallied from 17 down in the third quarter for a 27-26 victory over Gardner-Webb. The 49ers improved to 1-2 behind the second half performance of Trexler Ivey, who went 11-for-12 for 142 yards and two touchdowns.
Once a third-stringer, Ivey will be QB1 for this week, and his team is a heavy underdog in Bloomington. In fact, the Hoosiers are favored by 28.5 points with an over/under of 49. Also, Indiana is -6500 on the moneyline.
Here's my Charlotte vs. Indiana prediction and pick.
Charlotte vs Indiana Prediction
- Charlotte vs Indiana Pick: Team Total Over 38.5 Points
My Charlotte vs Indiana best bet is on the Hoosiers team total over with the best line currently available at DraftKings, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
Charlotte vs Indiana Odds
| Charlotte Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+28.5 -112 | 49 -110 / -110 | +2000 |
| Indiana Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-28.5 -108 | 49 -110 / -110 | -6500 |
- Charlotte vs Indiana Point Spread: Charlotte +28.5 (-112) · Indiana -28.5 (-108)
- Charlotte vs Indiana Total: Over/Under 49
- Charlotte vs Indiana Moneyline: Charlotte +2000 · Indiana -6500
Charlotte vs Indiana Preview
Charlotte 49ers Betting Preview: Big Plays Are Problem
Charlotte didn't return many starters from last year's team, but it did return a few of its frontline defenders.
Edge Stone Handy, linebacker Prince Wallace-Bemah and defensive back Dontae Balfour all received preseason All-AAC honors.
However, the lack of proven production elsewhere has shown itself in the first three games.
Charlotte ranks 112th in the country in scoring defense, allowing 31.3 points per game. It's 114th in total defense and 120th in yards per play allowed at 431 yards per game and 6.6 yards per play.
The 49ers have surrendered 260 of those yards per game through the air, and they rank 116th in passing success rate on defense.
The 49ers have done well when it comes to taking the ball away, with six turnovers in three games — five of which are interceptions. Balfour has one pick while defensive back Al-Ma'hi Ali leads the team with two.
However, the 49ers rank 134th in the FBS in passing explosiveness defensively and have already surrendered nine passing plays of 30 yards or more.
Charlotte will have a tough assignment trying to slow down Indiana's passing attack. Second-year head coach Biff Poggi has some familiarity with Indiana from his time as an assistant on Michigan's staff. However, these are a new batch of Hoosiers his team will be facing.
Indiana Hoosiers Betting Preview: Cignetti Succeeding Early
Cignetti is used to winning (52-9 at James Madison and 122-35 overall). Prior to his head coaching debut at Indiana, Cignetti said:
“I’ve gone to places that had horrific records before I got there and year one [we] put great wins together.”
Indiana went 9-27 over the previous three seasons, but if the first three games are any indication, Cignetti may prove to be correct once again.
Through three games, Indiana has had 22 offensive possessions and scored 16 touchdowns. The Hoosiers set a school record with 77 points against Western Illinois and then followed that up with 42 points last game in their first test against a Power Four at UCLA.
Cignetti remade the roster with 48 new players and 31 transfers, including its quarterback, top three rushers and receptions leader to this point.
Quarterback Kurtis Rourke is completing 74% of his passes, averaging 251.6 passing yards and has thrown seven touchdowns without an interception.
Wide receiver Elijah Sarratt followed Cignetti from James Madison and has 12 receptions for 203 yards and a touchdown this season.
Running backs Justice Ellison, Ty Son Lawton and Elijah Green have three touchdowns apiece through the first three games.
Ellison and Green have averaged over eight yards per carry behind an offensive line that ranks 33rd in line yards. They've kept Rourke clean, as well, with just two sacks allowed.
As a result, Indiana leads the country in passing success rate, ranks 11th in rushing success rate and is 23rd in havoc.
Charlotte vs Indiana
Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Charlotte and Indiana match up statistically:
Charlotte Offense vs. Indiana Defense
 |  Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 131 | 26 | |
| Line Yards | 130 | 32 | |
| Pass Success | 105 | 14 | |
| Havoc | 124 | 14 | |
| Finishing Drives | 105 | 51 | |
| Quality Drives | 88 | 17 | |
Indiana Offense vs. Charlotte Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 11 | 67 | |
| Line Yards | 33 | 12 | |
| Pass Success | 1 | 116 | |
| Havoc | 23 | 39 | |
| Finishing Drives | 6 | 75 | |
| Quality Drives | 8 | 114 | |
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 100 | 54 |
| PFF Coverage | 101 | 22 |
| Special Teams SP+ | 54 | 6 |
| Middle 8 | 109 | 109 |
| Seconds per Play | 26.7 (55) | 30.4 (117) |
| Rush Rate | 42% (130) | 59% (27) |
Charlotte vs Indiana Pick & Prediction
As a four-touchdown favorite, Indiana likely moves to 4-0 at home, and I'm backing its offense to lead the way.
Indiana has scored 40 points in two of its first three games and now will face the worst FBS defense on its schedule to this point.
Indiana will have advantages on the ground and through the air, but this could be a game where Rourke really shines. Charlotte ranks outside the top 100 in passing success rate, passing yards allowed and PFF Coverage grade.
Expect Rourke to lead Indiana with a big day through the air, and when the Hoosiers get into scoring range, they'll capitalize as they rank sixth in finishing drives.
That will lead to their third consecutive game with 40 points.
Pick: Indiana Team Total Over 38.5 Points (-105)
How to Watch Charlotte vs Indiana Live: Start Time, TV Channel, Location
| Location: | Memorial Stadium |
| Date: | Saturday, Sept. 21 |
| Kickoff Time: | 12 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | Big Ten Network |
Charlotte vs Indiana Betting Trends
- 82% of the bets and 96% of the money is on Indiana to cover the spread against Charlotte on Saturday at home.
