Indiana Hoosiers vs Charlotte 49ers Picks and Predictions September 21st 2024

Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN, will be the site for this week four non-conference matchup between the Charlotte 49ers and Indiana Hoosiers. The game is set for 12:00 ET on Saturday, September 21st, and will be broadcast on BTN. Indiana enters the game with a 3-0 record, while Charlotte is 1-2. The over/under line is 48.5 points, and the Hoosiers are heavy -28.5 point favorites at home.

Charlotte vs. Indiana Key Information

Charlotte evened their record to 1-2 after narrowly defeating Gardner-Webb by a score of 27-26. No betting lines were available for this game. The 49ers trailed 17-3 at halftime but outscored Gardner-Webb 21-6 in the fourth quarter to secure the win.

Charlotte’s offense, led by quarterback Deshawn Purdie, put up 336 passing yards in their narrow 27-26 win. Purdie completed 69.6% of his passes for 194 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. The 49ers’ passing game was supported by Bryce Kennon, who had five receptions for 70 yards.

Charlotte’s offense totaled 351 yards, with 15 rushing yards on 25 attempts. Hahsaun Wilson was the leading rusher, gaining 52 yards on just six carries and scoring one of the team’s two touchdowns through the air.

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Charlotte’s defense was effective in their most recent game, holding Gardner-Webb to just 50 rushing yards on 29 attempts. However, they struggled against the pass, allowing 340 yards and one touchdown through the air. Despite giving up 390 total yards, the 49ers’ defense came up with three interceptions to help secure the 27-26 win.

Indiana is off to a strong start this season, moving to 3-0 after a 42-13 road win over UCLA. The Hoosiers, who were -3.5 point favorites, not only won but also covered the spread. This was a big win for Indiana, as UCLA was also undefeated heading into the matchup. The game’s over/under was 47 points, and the teams combined for 55, hitting the over.

Indiana dominated from the start, jumping out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. UCLA managed to tie the game at 7-7 in the second quarter, but the Hoosiers added another touchdown to lead 21-7 at halftime. After the Bruins scored in the third quarter, Indiana added 7 more points and then outscored UCLA 14-3 in the fourth quarter to secure the win.

Quarterback Kurtis Rourke led Indiana’s offense to a 42-13 win over UCLA, throwing for 307 yards and four touchdowns while completing 75.8% of his passes. The Hoosiers’ offense totaled 430 yards, with 307 coming through the air. Rourke’s top target was Miles Cross, who caught six passes for 90 yards.

Indiana’s offense picked up 25 first downs, and the ground game added 123 yards, with Justice Ellison leading the way with 47 yards on 10 carries. Ellison also added a rushing touchdown to the Hoosiers’ four passing touchdowns.

Indiana’s defense was dominant in their last game, holding UCLA to just 13 points and 238 total yards. The Hoosiers limited the Bruins to 96 rushing yards on 26 attempts and picked off one pass. UCLA completed 15 of 24 passes for 142 yards through the air against Indiana’s secondary.

Indiana is the heavy favorite in their week four matchup against Charlotte, with the point spread set at -28.5 in their favor. We expect Indiana to win by a score of 43-10, making them a good bet to cover the spread.

With the over/under line at 48.5 points, our projection of 53 total points suggests that taking the over is the best play for this game.

Indiana and Curt Cignetti Aim to Extend Perfect Start Against Charlotte

Indiana is off to a flying start under first-year head coach Curt Cignetti, and the Hoosiers will be looking to keep their unbeaten run intact when they face Charlotte on Saturday afternoon in Bloomington, Indiana. The Hoosiers (3-0) have impressed early on, showcasing a potent offense and solid defense, and they’re aiming to continue their momentum against a Charlotte team that has struggled to find consistency.

This will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs, and Indiana’s goal is clear: maintain their perfect record and keep improving as they prepare for tougher challenges down the road.

Curt Cignetti’s Focus on Improvement

Cignetti has been focused on maintaining high standards within the Indiana program, even after the strong start. His philosophy centers around continual improvement and ensuring that his team stays humble and focused on the task at hand.

“There’s a standard we do everything to, and we want to keep improving as a team,” Cignetti said. “And we’ve got to have a great week of preparation. Starts with the staff. And stay humble and hungry as we prepare for this next opponent.”

This disciplined approach has paid off so far, as Indiana has navigated its early schedule with impressive performances, including a dominant 42-13 win over UCLA in their first road game of the season. The Hoosiers’ offense has been firing on all cylinders, and they’ve yet to commit a turnover through three games—an impressive feat for any team.

Kurtis Rourke Leading the Indiana Offense

One of the biggest reasons for Indiana’s early success has been the play of quarterback Kurtis Rourke. Rourke, who was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after throwing four touchdown passes against UCLA, has been a steady presence for the Hoosiers and is showing why experience matters at the quarterback position.

“It’s not like you’re teaching a young guy how to play the position,” Cignetti explained. “You got older guys that know how to play the position, and now you’re just fitting them into your offensive structure and then building upon the things that they do well.”

Rourke’s experience has allowed Indiana to execute its offense at a high level, and through three games, the Hoosiers have put up 150 points, tying the program record for most points through three games. The offense has been balanced and efficient, and the fact that they’ve avoided turnovers has only made them more dangerous.

Charlotte Faces Challenges with Quarterback Injuries

While Indiana has stability at the quarterback position, Charlotte finds itself in a difficult spot. The 49ers (1-2) have already had to make multiple changes under center due to injuries, and Trexler Ivey will be their third starting quarterback of the season when they take the field on Saturday.

Despite the quarterback carousel, Charlotte head coach Biff Poggi has confidence in Ivey’s ability to lead the team. Ivey is no stranger to action, having thrown for 1,263 yards and four touchdowns last season. Although he has struggled with interceptions (10 last season), Poggi believes that Ivey’s mental toughness and decision-making will keep the 49ers competitive.

“He’s tough mentally, tough emotionally,” Poggi said of Ivey. “He makes the right decisions, and our team has a tremendous amount of confidence in him.”

Charlotte will need Ivey to step up in a big way, especially after the 49ers narrowly escaped an upset loss to FCS opponent Gardner-Webb last weekend. Down 17 points in the second half, Charlotte managed a comeback to win 27-26, but the performance raised concerns about the team’s ability to handle stronger competition.

Indiana’s Defense Ready for Multiple Looks

Cignetti and the Indiana coaching staff are preparing for the possibility of seeing multiple quarterbacks from Charlotte, given the 49ers’ injury woes. Regardless of who is under center for Charlotte, Indiana is aware that receiver Jairus Mack is a significant threat. Mack’s ability to make plays could pose challenges for Indiana’s defense, but the Hoosiers are confident in their preparation.

Indiana’s defense has been solid so far this season, complementing their explosive offense. They’ll look to keep Charlotte’s offense in check, while the Hoosiers’ potent attack continues to put pressure on the 49ers.

Keys to the Game: Indiana’s Efficiency vs. Charlotte’s Resilience

For Indiana, the key to extending their perfect start lies in maintaining their offensive efficiency and continuing to avoid turnovers. Kurtis Rourke’s experience and leadership have been crucial, and as long as the Hoosiers continue to execute at a high level, they’ll be difficult to stop.

Charlotte, on the other hand, will need to overcome the instability at quarterback and find a way to generate consistent offense. Trexler Ivey’s decision-making will be crucial, and the 49ers will need to limit mistakes and find ways to slow down Indiana’s high-powered attack.

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This game provides Indiana with an opportunity to fine-tune their game before heading into the tougher stretches of their schedule. For Charlotte, it’s a chance to measure themselves against a strong Big Ten opponent and see where they stand after a rocky start to the season.

Conclusion: Indiana Aims to Keep Rolling

With a 3-0 record and momentum on their side, Indiana looks poised to continue their strong start under Curt Cignetti. The Hoosiers have shown balance, efficiency, and resilience in their first three games, and they’ll be aiming for a dominant performance against a Charlotte team facing significant challenges.

As both teams take the field in Bloomington, Indiana will be looking to stay undefeated and build on their early success, while Charlotte hopes to find some stability and prove they can compete with a rising Big Ten program.