IU Will Raise the Victory Flag Against Michigan If…
/After every win the Indiana Hoosiers raise the Victory Flag high over Memorial Stadium. Sitting at 9-0, the Hoosiers have a chance to secure the program’s first-ever double-digit win season and keep themselves in the top ten before a bye week as the reigning National Champions come to town. Here are the things the Hoosiers will need to do to keep the Victory Flag flying in Bloomington:
1. Limit Colston Loveland
Few teams rely on one offensive player as much as the Michigan Wolverines rely on tight end Colston Loveland. The junior has 49 receptions for 523 yards with four touchdowns on the season. Each of those numbers are more than double what anyone else on the team has in 2024. He just went for more than 100 yards against the Oregon Ducks and kept UM in the game and he is, by far, the favorite target of quarterback Davis Warren. There are a few different ways to approach covering Loveland: Jailin Walker has size and athleticism to try and handle him, Terry Jones has the quickness but could struggle with Loveland’s physicality, go zone and hope to confuse Warren. It will be fascinating to see how Bryant Haines schemes against the star tight end and if you can contain him, Michigan will struggle on offense.
2. Pressure Davis Warren
The Indiana Hoosiers struggled in the first quarter against Michigan State, falling behind 10-0 and allowing the first ten first-quarter points the Hoosiers have given up all season. While MSU deserves credit for a couple of great catches by Nick Marsh, IU’s defensive front was not getting home on the pressures brought by Haines. The Hoosiers lost contain against Aidan Chiles and allowed him outside of the pocket. The adjustment was made by the IU defense and they ended up with seven sacks and 15 tackles for loss, suffocating the MSU offense the rest of the way. Michigan will utilize Alex Orji as a running back that occasionally throws the ball on screens or quick slants but it will mostly be Davis Warren at quarterback. Michigan is 61st in the country in sack percentage allowed and getting consistent pressure (and then finishing those pressures with sacks) will be key to rattling Warren.
3. Force Michigan into Passing Situations
The Michigan Wolverines would prefer to keep the ball on the ground, control the clock, keep IU’s offense on the sideline and just run the ball with Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings. Mullings is averaging 5.42 yards per carry and has seven touchdowns and Edwards is averaging 4.72 yards per carry. IU’s rush defense is top five in the country and they were dominant against Michigan State. If IU can limit Michigan on the ground, particularly on early downs, the Hoosiers will be in great shape.
4. Avoid Mason Graham
Every opponent that plays Michigan comments about how terrific defensive lineman Mason Graham is. Opponents respect him immensely, as do NFL talent evaluators, and it is important for offenses to not let Graham wreck the game. That means scheming runs away from him, chipping and doubling up when necessary, slanting protection in his direction and having the quarterback aware of Graham’s location at all times. Michigan is susceptible, particularly through the air. Dillon Gabriel just lit up the Wolverines and there should be plays to be had in the passing game but preventing Mason Graham from having a major impact will be a focus for the Hoosiers.
5. Win the Turnover Battle
Given Michigan’s offensive struggles and IU’s form on both sides of the ball, it seems like the Hoosiers will need to help the Wolverines for Michigan to win. The quickest way to even the playing field is turning the ball over and giving the underdog extra possessions and good field position. A good example would be IU’s home game against Maryland when the Hoosiers turned it over four times and were in a fight until the fourth quarter as a result. Indiana is +.9 in turnover margin (13th in the country) while Michigan is -.6 (105th in the country).