Game Day Primer: Indiana Hoosiers at No. 3 Michigan Wolverines

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Written By T.J. Inman

What: Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan Wolverines

When: Saturday, November 19 at 3:30

Where: Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan

How to Watch: The game will be broadcast on ESPN. You can also listen to the game on the IU Radio Network with the legendary Don Fischer on the call.

What’s at Stake: First and foremost, the Indiana Hoosiers are trying to win their sixth game of the season and become bowl eligible for the second straight season. They’ll have one more chance after this (next week against Purdue) but the Hoosiers would love to accomplish that goal now and prevent the Old Oaken Bucket game from becoming a “do or die” affair. In addition, IU is trying to halt decades-long droughts. They haven’t beaten Michigan since 1987 and they have not won in Ann Arbor since 1967. The #3 Michigan Wolverines need a victory to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive heading into their clash with the Ohio State Buckeyes next Saturday.


A Few Things to Look For

“Big House” of Horrors

Michigan Stadium has been a house of horrors for the majority of Michigan opponents. “The Big House” has been particularly troubling for the Indiana Hoosiers. IU hasn’t won there since 1967 and, based on Michigan’s current home form, that streak doesn’t look likely to break. Michigan has only played three road games this season: at Rutgers (78-0), at Michigan State (32-23) and at Iowa (13-14 loss) which means they have been at home seven times. They have outscored opponents 322 to 73 and their average margin of victory is 35.57 points per game. Colorado gave them a tough challenge before Michigan pulled away and the Buffaloes are now the #10 team in the country and then Wisconsin kept UM’s offense in check but never truly threatened the home side. The Badgers are now #8 in the country. IU has won four of their past six road games but a place that is historically very tough to win at is as staunch a fortress as ever and the Hoosiers will need to play their best game of the season to have a shot at being competitive. 

Dominant Defense

The strength of the #3 ranked Michigan Wolverines is the defense. Michigan is rated as the best defense in the country by S&P+ and they are surrendering the fewest points per game (11), the lowest third down conversion rate (19%) and the fewest yards per game (244.7) in the country. They lead the conference in pass defense and sacks (3.3 per game) and they are third in run defense (113.1 yards per game). They have only given up more than 14 points in one conference game (MSU scored 23) and Colorado scored a season-high against them when they put up 28 in the third week of the season. IU’s offense has performed very well yardage wise but they’ve been hampered by turnovers and missed scoring opportunities. Scoring chances figure to be few and far between for IU so they’ll need to capitalize on every chance they get. The Wolverines have forced 16 turnovers and multiple giveaways by IU would likely be fatal. 

Michigan’s defense is fast, aggressive and extremely disciplined. They tackle very well and pursue the ball, as Jim Harbaugh puts it, “with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind”. Ben Gedeon is the leading tackler with 82 tackles but the standouts for this defense are Jabrill Peppers, an awesome secondary and a deep defensive line. Peppers has 60 tackles with four sacks and he will line up all over the field, on both sides of the ball. The secondary is led by Delano Hill, Jourdan Lewis and Channing Stribling and the defensive line rotates a group of 8-10 guys with very little drop-off. Chris Wormley, Taco Charlton, Mike McMcray, Ryan Glasgow and Rashan Gary are just some of the names you’ll hear called often on Saturday. 

New QB but Plenty of Weapons

Wilton Speight reportedly suffered a broken collarbone andis suspected to be out, however Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has ruled him as a game time decision. Speight was a surprise winner of the quarterback battle this past offseason and he completed 62.3% of his passes for 2,156 yards with 15 touchdowns and only four interceptions before getting injured near the end of the Iowa game. Houston transfer John O’Korn has 13 completions in 18 attempts for two touchdowns and no interceptions in his limited duty this season. It’s unclear how this will change the Wolverines attack, if at all. They still have three very good receiving weapons in Jake Butt, Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson and all three of those guys have torched IU in the recent past. Darboh is having the best 2016 season so far and Jake Butt will look to replicate the success Penn State TE Mike Gesicki had against IU a week ago. The Wolverines are a good running team but they aren’t dominant in that phase, at least not against good defenses. A long list of guys will probably get carries this Saturday. De’Veon Smith is the leading rusher with 592 yards and an average of 4.9 yards per carry. Others include Chris Evans (former Ben Davis Giant) and his 7.8 yards per carry, Karan Higdon (6.8), Ty Isaac (six yards per carry), Jabrill Peppers and Eddie McDoom (team best 10.3 yards per carry). Indiana’s run defense was spectacular a week ago and they’ll need a similar performance this Saturday.