FACTS & STATS: Site: Ryan Field (49,256) -- Evanston, Illinois. Television:BTN. Home Record: Indiana 3-1, Northwestern 3-1. Away Record: Indiana 1-2, Northwestern 1-2. Neutral Record: Indiana 0-0, Northwestern 0-0. Conference Record: Indiana 1-2, Northwestern 1-2. Series Record: Northwestern leads, 42-34-1.

GAME NOTES: A couple of teams trying to move one win closer to bowl- eligibility hook up in Evanston this weekend, as the Indiana Hoosiers tangle with the Northwestern Wildcats in Big Ten play at Ryan Field.

The Hoosiers enter the contest on a winning note, as they outlasted Illinois by a 27-14 score last weekend. The triumph ended a three-game losing skid and was a nice rebound from a 47-7 beating at Virginia the prior weekend. Now at 4-3 overall, Indians needs just two more victories to become eligible for a bowl game.

As for the Wildcats, they could have been playing for a bowl bid this weekend if not for a 24-14 loss to Michigan State last Saturday. With the setback, Northwestern had its three-game Big Ten road winning streak and two-game overall victory string come to a stop. Still, at 4-3 overall, the Wildcats are in position to make a run at the postseason despite last weekend's loss.

Northwestern and Indiana are clashing for the 78th time on the gridiron, with the Wildcats owning a 42-34-1 lead in the head-to-head series. The Hoosiers, however, snapped a four-game losing skid in the rivalry with a 21-19 win in Bloomington last season.

Quarterback Ben Chappell had a career day against Illinois last weekend, as he completed 23-of-38 pass attempts for 333 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-14 victory. Hopefully for Indiana, the performance was a sign of things to come, as Chappell had thrown just five touchdowns through the first six games. Tandon Doss once again served as Chappell's main target and he finished the game against Illinois with seven receptions for 130 yards and a score. It was another standout performance by Doss, who has made 48 catches for 676 yards and two touchdowns on the season. The Hoosiers even got their ground attack going against Illinois, racking up 149 yards on just 31 carries. Indiana is managing only 126.6 rushing ypg on the season, so last weekend's effort was an improvement.

Indiana's defense had struggled during its three-game losing streak, but the unit stepped up last weekend and limited Illinois to just two touchdowns. The unit did give up a few too many yards, allowing 443, but compensated by recording three turnovers and two sacks. Indiana has forced 15 turnovers and 18 sacks on the campaign, helping to overcome the 380.9 total ypg the defense is allowing. Jammie Kirlew is one of the top playmakers on the defense and he has 12.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks and five forced fumbles to his credit. Last weekend, Kirlew was on top of his game and he posted nine stops to go with two forced fumbles and a sack.

Despite gaining a respectable 370 total yards, the Wildcats managed only 14 points in a loss to MSU last weekend, as they turned the ball over twice and allowed four sacks. Northwestern has had some issues with turnovers (14) and sacks (18) this season, but has overcome those problems by gaining 381.0 total ypg. Quarterback Mike Kafka is a major part of this offense, both with his arm and legs, as he has thrown for 1,755 yards and seven scores, in addition to rushing for 141 yards and four more touchdowns. Last weekend, Kafka did his part and threw for 291 yard and two touchdowns, while leading the ground game with 42 yards on 18 carries. Zeke Markshausen was his main target with 16 catches for 111 yards and a touchdown. The 16 catches rank second in the Northwestern history books for a single game, and Markshausen now has 50 receptions for 459 yards on the campaign.

After posting a shutout in the first half, the Wildcats allowed 24 points after the break in a loss to MSU on Saturday. The defense gave up a majority of its 375 total yards in the second half and registered just one takeaway and no sacks. The lack of big plays was a bit surprising, as Northwestern had thrived in that department, racking up 18 turnovers (10 INTs) and 19 sacks on the year. Mix in the fact the team is allowing just 342.9 total ypg and that is the making of a solid defense. Quentin Davie heads the defense with 53 stops, seven TFLs and four sacks, and he had seven tackles and a fumble recovery in last weekend's loss.

The Wildcats have the edge since they are playing at home and Kafka's ability to make plays with his arm and feet should make the difference for Northwestern.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Northwestern 30, Indiana 22

Saturday, October 24th, 12:00 p.m. (et)