Matchup to Watch: Indiana's Linebackers vs. Michigan's Running Game

Image: Indiana University Athletics

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The Hoosiers face an extremely tall task on Saturday night as they head to the Big House to face the number seven Michigan Wolverines. Saturday’s matchup to watch will be Indiana linebackers Cam Jones and Micah McFadden against Michigan’s running attack led by Blake Corum and Hasaan Haskins who have combined for 1,435 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. It is a true strength against strength.

The Hoosiers rush defense ranks sixth in the Big Ten, but has come up big, in big games most noticeably holding Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III to just 84 yards on the ground.

While the rush defense for Indiana is a combination of a fiesty defensive line, it is headlined by linebackers Cam Jones and Micah McFadden who may be the best linebacking duo in the conference. Jones and McFadden have combined for 95 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.

If the Hoosiers can be disruptive in the run game and force Michigan to get out of their comfort zone on offense, it will go a long way to keeping themselves in the game. This all becomes more complicated if defensive backs Taiwan Mullen, Reese Taylor and Josh Sanguinetti cannot play. All three were either limited or unavailable last week against Maryland and the Hoosiers were sliced up through the air.