Matchup to Watch: Week Ten: Michigan TE Colston Loveland vs. IU’s Secondary and Linebackers

Written by: TJ Inman 

The Indiana Hoosiers trailed Michigan State 10-0 before responding with 47 straight points to blowout the Spartans 47-10 in East Lansing. The win improved the Hoosiers to the school’s first-ever 9-0 start and a 6-0 record in the Big Ten. Next up, the 5-4 reigning national champion Michigan Wolverines come to Bloomington for a clash on CBS at 3:30. Michigan knocked off Michigan State and then fell by 21 points to the Oregon Ducks in their past two contests under first-year head coach Sherrone Moore.

The Wolverines are led by a pair of singular talents: Mason Graham on defense and Colston Loveland on offense. The star tight end is far and away Michigan’s most dangerous receiving target and limiting him will be the main goal for IU’s defense. Just look at Loveland’s production this season compared to top wide receivers Tyler Morris and Semaj Morgan:

Loveland – 49 receptions for 523 yards with four touchdowns

Morris – 12 receptions for 134 yards with two touchdowns

Morgan – 21 receptions for 126 yards with one touchdown

Against Oregon, Loveland had seven catches for 112 yards and against Michigan State, he had six catches for 67 yards with two touchdowns. Indiana has had a bit of trouble against tight ends this season: Keleki Latu had four catches for 50 yards for Washington and Thomas Fidone went off for 91 yards on six catches for Nebraska. Loveland does present a tough matchup and it will be interesting to see how Bryant Haines lines up to try and limit the main cog of the Michigan offense. The Hoosiers could use the athletic Jailin Walker to run with him and attempt to match his physicality or they could play some zone to try and confuse quarterback Davis Warren and make it difficult for him to find his primary target. They could also utilize someone like Terry Jones in coverage and use Walker more for blitzing or run support. If the Hoosiers can prevent a huge game from Loveland, the IU defense will likely feel really good about their ability to keep Michigan’s offense from having a strong day and it would go a long way towards Indiana moving to 10-0.