Game Day Primer: Indiana Hoosiers vs. No. 13 Michigan Wolverines
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Game 11 Primer – Michigan
What: Michigan (8-2) at Indiana (7-3)
Where: Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN
When: Saturday, November 23 at 3:30
How to Watch: The game will be broadcast on ESPN. You can also listen to the game on the IU Radio Network with the legendary Don Fischer on the call.
Series History: For the second straight week, Indiana is taking on an opponent they have had very little historical success against. The Michigan Wolverines have won 58 of 67 meetings and IU has not won since 1987 (a 14-10 victory over Bo Schembechler’s Maize and Blue). That is 23 straight victories for Michigan. The Hoosiers have given the Wolverines some real trouble in past few contests but Michigan has consistently found a way to win.
What’s at Stake: This game does not lack for meaning. It is Senior Day in Bloomington and sixteen young men that have helped change the direction of Indiana football will be taking the field at Memorial Stadium for (possibly) the final time. IU is 7-3 and a win over Michigan would, in all likelihood, put them into the Top 25 of the College Football Playoff rankings for the first time ever and raise the ceiling on their potential bowl destination. It would also be a landmark victory in a memorable season. Michigan has played very well since struggling to begin the season and they are now 8-2 with a shot at a New Year’s Six bowl if they can beat Indiana and Ohio State.
What to Watch For
1. The Importance of Third Down
Indiana’s defense has been pretty good on third down this season. However, that fell apart on Saturday in State College as Penn State consistently converted third and longs and kept drives going. The Nittany Lions were 7-14 on third down and 2 for 2 on fourth down. Many of their conversions were Sean Clifford runs when the play broke down. Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson can do the same thing so the Indiana defense is going to have be much better against the quarterback run and on third down. The Wolverines were 8-13 on third down last week against Michigan State and 7-15 (with 2-2 on fourth down) two weeks ago against Maryland. Indiana’s offense has been very good on third down but they’ll have to battle Don Brown’s aggressive defense and blitz packages. The offensive line will need to be ready for that, the offensive staff will need to have coverage plans for that and Peyton Ramsey will absolutely have to be ready for that.
2. Michigan’s Transformed Offense
The Michigan Wolverines were awful during the first three weeks of the season. They were sluggish against Middle Tennessee, very lucky to escape Army and then got walloped against Wisconsin. If you haven’t paid attention since then, they have improved quite a bit. Beginning with the second half of the Penn State game, they have been as good as any Big Ten team outside of Ohio State. They blasted Notre Dame, hammered Maryland and then dominated Michigan State. The biggest difference appears to be an understanding of who they want to be on offense. Shea Patterson has made much better decisions and appears more comfortable. They have found a very good alternative to Zach Charbonnet at running back in Hassan Haskins and they are getting their two best receivers: Ronnie Bell and Nico Collins involved more often. IU’s defense is going to have its hands full with this attack.
3. Hoosiers Offense Versus Don Brown’s Defense
Despite the loss of Michael Penix, Indiana’s offense has continued to produce and it is fair to call this unit “reliable”. Look at their point totals this season: 34, 52, 10 (against OSU…), 38, 31, 35, 34, 38, 34 and 27. They have scored between 27 and 38 in all but two games. Michigan has a good defense but I am expecting IU to end up somewhere between 27 and 38 points, based on the body of evidence put forth by Kalen DeBoer’s first season as offensive coordinator. IU has been outstanding in the red zone (scoring on 89.36% of attempts) and that will have to continue on Saturday. Indiana’s rushing game will be going against a defense giving up just 2.78 yards per attempt but I think Stevie Scott can have some success. The Hoosiers will primarily rely on their passing game and weapons Ty Fryfogle, Donavan Hale, Nick Westbrook, Whop Philyor (hopefully) and Peyton Hendershot to test a Michigan secondary that can be had.
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