2014 Preview: Week 10 Michigan Wolverines

Hoosier fans, players, and coaches are still having nightmares of Jeremy Gallon from last year. (Image Source: MaizenBrew.com)

Written By Sammy Jacobs

The Hoosiers receive their second bye week in Week 9 in 2014. Week 10 takes them on a trip to Michigan to face the Wolverines. The matchup last season was as an explosive and high scoring game as we have seen in a very long time. The Hoosiers came out of the short end of the stick however. This year Indiana returns to the Big House on a mission to beat the boys in Maize and Blue for just the second time since 1967.

Week 10: Michigan Wolverines

Time & Date: 3:30 pm EST, Saturday, Nov. 1st

Venue: Michigan Stadium (Ann Arbor, MI)

TV: TBA

Wolverines at a Glance:

Head Coach: Brady Hoke 4th year at UM 26-13

Last Season: 7-6 (3-5)

Wolverines Returning Leaders:

            Passing: Devin Gardner (60.3%, 2960 Yds, 21 TD, 11 INT)

            Rushing: Devin Gardner (483 Yds, 2.9 Avg, 11 TD)

            Receiving: Devin Funchess (748 Yds, 15.3 Avg, 6 TD)

Preseason Magazine Predictions:

Phil Steele: 3rd in the Big Ten East

Lindy’s: 3rd in the Big Ten East

Athlon’s: 4th in the Big Ten East

Sporting News: 3rd in the Big Ten East

Why the Wolverines could win:

The Wolverines have not lost at home to the Hoosiers since before man landed on the moon. The last two trips here have been closer games than people expected. However, Michigan returns Devin Gardner and Devin Funchess both of who are big play makers. Their defense returns starters Ray Taylor, lead the team in tackles with 86 and Blake Countess who led the team with six interceptions. The secondary will also be boosted from the arrival of All-World recruit Jabrill Peppers. The Hoosiers cannot count on the Wolverines playing Swiss Cheese defense again.

Why They Won’t Pull it Off:

This is not your grandfather’s Michigan team, even if Gardener has been given Tom Harmon’s number. They simply have not been more than a middle of the pack Big Ten team who has a lot of talent, but something always seems to fall apart. Last season it was the offensive line. By the time the Hoosiers roll into town the Wolverines could look vastly different if they lose a few games before hand. The Hoosiers will not have to worry about Jeremy Gallon this year, by the way I think he just caught another 50-yard TD pass and Michigan’s already shaky offensive line lost two of its better starters in Taylor Lewan and Michael Schofield. The Hoosiers have upgraded their talent and changed the scheme on defense. This could also be a let down game due to Michigan playing hated rival Michigan State the week before in East Lansing.

Final Analysis:

The Hoosiers have a real shot at knocking off a big name at the Big House and really throwing wood on the fire that is heating up Coach Brady Hoke’s seat. Indiana will have a week to get ready for this game and come up with whatever game plan they may need to spring the upset. Sudfeld will have some more road experience and should not be as shaky as he was in 2013. The Hoosier offense, while losing a ton of talent, should return enough to put up points against an unproven defense. The narrative of this game could really change depending on what these teams do in the weeks leading up to it. If Michigan has losses to Notre Dame and Michigan State, things could get very uneasy in Ann Arbor and then the Wolverines are ripe for the picking.