What: #6 Indiana Hoosiers (6-1) at Michigan Wolverines (4-2)
When: Saturday, October 24 at Noon
Where: Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan
How to Watch: The game will be broadcast on FOX and can be heard on the IU Radio Network.
Spread and Total: Indiana (-7) | Total of 41.5
Series History: With Halloween just a week away, it seems appropriate for Indiana to visit a place that has been a perennial “House of Horrors” for Indiana football. The Hoosiers have not won at Michigan Stadium, aka “The Big House”, since 1967 and recent outings there have been incredibly lopsided: 52-7 in 2023, 29-7 in 2021 and 31-20 in 2018. Of course, none of those matchups occurred with Curt Cignetti leading Indiana University’s football program. Cignetti is 1-0 against Michigan with a 20-15 victory in his first season in Bloomington. In total, Michigan leads the series 62-11 and IU has only two wins over the Wolverines since 1987.
What’s at Stake: The Indiana Hoosiers have not won in Ann Arbor since 1967 and they have never knocked off the Wolverines two straight times. Both of those things could change on Saturday afternoon. More importantly for the 2026 campaign, the Indiana Hoosiers need to bounce back after the loss to Ohio State in order to maintain position for the Big Ten Championship Game and the College Football Playoff. A victory for the Michigan Wolverines would vault them back into the Top 25 and back into the playoff picture.
A Few Things to Look For
- Elite Defenses Clash
It’s fair to question the quality of offenses the Michigan Wolverines have faced but the Hoosiers are battling an elite unit. Add in the hostile road environment and IU’s offense will have its’ hands full. The best offense Michigan has played is probably Iowa so it’s possible their numbers are inflated but the Wolverines are 6th in the country against the run (2.7 yards per rush) and 12th in the country in passing yards allowed per game (166.8). Opponents are gaining only 4.1 yards per play and that’s impressive, regardless of opponent. The Indiana Hoosiers have been tested by better opposition and have passed with mostly flying colors. Neither offense figures to have a ton of fun on Saturday afternoon in Ann Arbor but Penn State was able to throw the ball with some success and that could be a blueprint utilized by Indiana, if they have confidence in the health and play of Josh Hoover.
2. Michigan Turns to Tommy Carr
Besides an explosive second half against the UTEP Miners, Michigan’s offense failed to score more than 19 points in any game with Bryce Underwood at quarterback. Trailing to a mediocre Penn State team at halftime, head coach Kyle Whittingham turned to freshman quarterback Tommy Carr. The Michigan legacy recruit (his grandfather is former Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr) helped ignite enough of a turnaround and the Wolverines held on for a 21-18 victory. Carr is 7-9 for 70 yards with one touchdown and he’s added six carries for 54 yards with a score. The one potential vulnerability for Indiana’s defense has been mobile quarterbacks so Carr’s legs will be something to watch. That written, Bryant Haines is likely excited to dial up some schemes and pressures that will confuse the inexperienced new quarterback. Carr will try to lean on running backs Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter but they have not found a whole lot of success this season and he’ll be throwing a lot to top targets JJ Buchanan and Andrew Marsh as no other player has more than 7 receptions.
3. Can IU Be Two-Dimensional Against a Strong Defense
IU has dominated on the ground against teams like Howard, Rutgers and Northwestern but they have struggled to consistently run the ball against both Nebraska and Ohio State. Michigan’s defense looks a whole lot closer to the latter two than it does the easier defenses IU has faced and the Hoosiers simply have to do better than the sub-3.0 yards per carry they had last week. Indiana is expecting to welcome Khobie Martin back from a forearm injury and that should provide some explosive pop the rushing attack but the Hoosiers need to be better on offense in multiple areas: less predictable on first down, Josh Hoover needs to be more accurate and not leave points on the board due to missed throws or reads and the offensive line needs to be better in run blocking. That improvement won’t come easily against the Maize and Blue but it is necessary for IU to reach their ceiling.
4. Special Teams Must Improve
It may have gone unnoticed by many but Indiana’s special teams unit has, on the whole, been a disappointment thus far. Nico Radicic has gone from automatic to a question mark, particularly after a pair of misses (including a bizarre 32-yard kick off the upright) against Ohio State. Billy Gowers has not been particularly effective when called upon as a punter. Punt return has been an adventure with Tyler Morris benched after two drops and Charlie Becker clearly not comfortable fielding punts. The only consistently good part of the special teams unit has been the kickoff unit as Paddy McAteer has boomed kicks out of the end zone for touchbacks. The Hoosiers need to begin turning those “hidden yards” back in their favor.
Indiana Football Stories From the Week
Curt Cignetti Notes and Quotes Week 7: Michigan
‘Got to Suck it Up and Go’ Indiana Turns Toward Another Physical Test at Michigan
Chatter From the Other Sideline: Michigan Head Coach Kyle Whittingham
Even at the top of College Football, Charlie Becker Refuses to Settle
Never Satisfied – Tyrique Tucker Keeps Pushing for More
Numbers that Matter: Indiana vs. Michigan
IU Will Raise the Victory Flag Against Michigan If…
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Discover more from Hoosier Huddle
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.