Staff Picks: Predicting Indiana's Week 7 clash at Oregon

Indiana football is 5-0 and fresh off of a bye week as the Hoosiers head out west for a date with one of the top teams in the country.
No. 7 Indiana is set for a Saturday afternoon clash with No. 3 Oregon in Eugene.
Each week throughout the season, our staff will break down the upcoming matchup and make their predictions on how things will play out. From big-picture storylines to score forecasts, our weekly picks aim to give fans a snapshot of expectations heading into game day.
This week, the focus is squarely on the Hoosiers’ second straight road clash, a meeting with the Ducks and chance to once again put the country on notice.
Zach’s Pick
Well, the wait is finally over. I’m not sure Indiana fans could’ve dreamed of a scenario like this when Curt Cignetti took over the program, but he’s put the Hoosiers in a spot — in just his second year with the program — to make a statement this weekend in Eugene. This will undoubtedly be Indiana’s toughest test of the season, it rivals Indiana’s trip to Columbus last year to take on the Buckeyes. The difference this season, Indiana is better than they were a year ago. Heading into this Week 7 bout of heavyweights, I legitimately think Indiana CAN beat Oregon. However, that doesn’t mean I think they WILL. If Indiana plays the way it did in Week 4 against Illinois, we could be talking about a top-3 ranked Hoosier team come Sunday. But, in my opinion, this Oregon team is the best in the country. I think Indiana will likely keep this game close, but the offensive firepower the Ducks possess isn’t like anything the Hoosiers have seen this year — or even last year. A win and Indiana is welcomed into college football’s inner circle. A close lose and Indiana still looks poised to run it back in the College Football Playoff. What the Hoosiers have to avoid is a blowout — which I think Indiana does. This game will be won and lost at the line of scrimmage, and I give the edge there to the Ducks.
Prediction: Oregon 34, Indiana 21
Alec’s Pick
It’s one of the top matchups across all of college football this season. Terrific matchups across the board in this one. Two aspects will define this one — IU’s start and its ability to win the line of scrimmage. Oregon is +44 in point differential in the first quarter in games this season and +148 in the first half. Indiana needs to be able to get off to a good start, something it has struggled with at times this year. On the flip side, Oregon’s o-line grades out as the best pass blocking unit, giving Dante Moore a clear pocket in nearly 80% of his drop backs. Can the offensive line for Indiana rebound after its worst performance of the year? I don’t think this will be a runaway in any aspect, but I do think Oregon’s home crowd could be a deciding factor.
Prediction: Oregon 24, Indiana 20
Colin’s Pick
We’ve reached the biggest game of the 2025 season for Indiana. Don’t let the coaches and players fool you, this isn’t the biggest game just because it’s the next game, it’s huge because the winner is likely to make the Big Ten Championship, as well as the CFP, if they take care of business the rest of the way. Having to go on the road all the way across the country will be tough for Indiana, but last year against UCLA they were unfazed. Obviously a trip to visit the No. 3 team in the country presents a different kind of challenge, but this is also a more talented Indiana team. If Fernando Mendoza can get it going early, it should be an incredibly high quality football game, although the rainy and ugly conditions could play a factor. With all that said, I think the Hoosiers will play well. I don’t think the moment will be too big, and I don’t think they get embarrassed, but I don’t think they’ll have enough to beat who I think might be the best team in the nation. Indiana keeps it close enough to keep their CFP hopes fully intact, but I don’t think Cignetti’s crew gets it done in the Pacific Northwest.
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Prediction: Oregon 31, Indiana 27
Kyler’s Pick
The biggest test for the Hoosiers happens this weekend when they travel to Eugene to face the Oregon Ducks. With both teams entering with a top 10 ranking, a win by either one of them could go a long way in solidifying their spot in the college football playoff. This is a real program momentum type of game for Indiana because this could be the win that finally has everyone in the country fully believing in what Curt Cignetti is building. Going on the road to face Oregon is never an easy task and this year’s Ducks have a potential national championship roster. I see this one being a little bit ugly due to the weather and the fact that both teams will be working hard to make the other adapt. I see Indiana putting up a fight, but I got the Ducks in the end.
Prediction: Oregon 24, Indiana 17
Drew’s Pick
This is the biggest game of the season for Indiana football; there is no way around it. If Indiana beats Oregon, the trajectory of the season changes from the goal of trying to make the college football playoff to trying to win the Big Ten Championship and earn a bye in the playoff. I have said all season that Indiana is a much better team this year than last, and I think we will see that on Saturday. The story of this game centers on the quarterbacks, as Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore have established themselves as two of the best at the position in the country. I think Mendoza and the Hoosier skill players have more than enough to score against the Oregon defense, but the right side of the offensive line is a concern. Iowa showed that the Indiana offense can be slowed with pressure, and Oregon’s pass rush, led by Matayo Uiagalelei, will bring that. Playing in Eugene against an elite Oregon team will be a difficult challenge that I believe Indiana is ready for, but ultimately, I think the Ducks will have just enough to survive against a dangerous Hoosier team on Saturday.
Prediction: Oregon 34, Indiana 31
Coach Griff’s Pick
Indiana faces its toughest test yet as they head into Autzen Stadium to battle Oregon in a key Big Ten showdown. The Ducks bring explosive talent on both sides of the ball, but the Hoosiers have shown they can handle big moments on the road. For IU to be in a position to win, three things have to happen: they must generate at least two turnovers to flip momentum, find a way to score—or at a minimum set up a score -via special teams, and consistently win the field position battle. That means forcing Donte Moore and Oregon’s offense to drive 75+ yards on their possessions, while giving Fernando Mendoza and the Hoosier attack a short field to capitalize on their scoring chances. Those hidden-yardage categories will be critical against a team as dynamic as Oregon.
If Indiana can check those boxes, Mendoza and the Hoosier offense will have opportunities to control tempo and keep the Ducks from finding their rhythm. This game has the feel of a classic Big Ten clash that will likely come down to who makes the less amount of mistakes and minimizes the BIG PLAY.
Prediction: Indiana 27, Oregon 24
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