Keys To a Historic Indiana Win at the Big House

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Most of Hoosier Nation is aware of Indiana’s futility against Michigan. If you are not, here is all you need to know. Indiana has not beat Michigan since 1987 and hasn’t won at the Big House since 1967. Here are some keys to Indiana ending both streaks on Saturday. 

1. Take Care of the Ball

The Hoosiers have turned the ball over nine times over the last two contests losing seven fumbles and throwing two interceptions, and turnovers will play an important role in Saturday’s game. Michigan comes in to the game 14th in the nation for turnover margin at +8, Indiana has fallen to 109th at -6, so Michigan’s defenders will be raking at the ball to try and take it away from the Hoosier offense.

Indiana head coach addressed the turnovers in his weekly press conference on Monday and took full responsibility for the lack of ball security. 

“We've got to take care of the ball. Five turnovers, went from third in the nation in fewest fumbles after week eight and at week 10 I think we're at 101. So we've dropped I think 98 spots in two weeks. So, again -- and to me it's coaching and that's culture. And we've kind of addressed that again. I think I was ridiculed years ago when Tevin Coleman went to Ann Arbor and fumbled and came out. But our deal is if you fumble you don't play. I don't know what's up with that but that's how we play here. That's our culture, and I take responsibility for those fumbles because I think we've gotten lax with that.” Wilson said about the turnover issues. 

2. Take Shots Down Field

Michigan may have the best defense in the country and it’ll be no easy task to get the ball into the end zone and put points on the board, but that should not scare off the Hoosiers from throwing the deep ball. The Hoosiers are tied for 18th nationally with 21 pass plays of over 30 yards and quarterback Richard Lagow looks to be hitting his stride throwing the deep ball the last couple of games. Michigan, however, has only given up 12 passing plays of 30 yards or more.

As we pointed out in our Matchup to Watch feature, Hoosier receivers Donavan Hale and Camion Patrick are becoming the deep threats Indiana needs to be more successful over the top. Chunk plays in the passing game will give the Hoosiers offense a chance to change the momentum and make it easier to score.

3. Follow the Penn State Blue Print

The Hoosiers had a winning game plan against Penn State, they shut down the run game and exploited the weak link of their defense, the secondary. The Hoosiers can bottle up that defensive game plan, especially if Michigan quarterback Wilton Speight is out, and try and shutdown the running game and force Michigan to throw in 25 mph winds. Michigan’s run game was shut down by a very average Iowa defense and really hasn’t been great all season long on the ground. Making the Wolverines one-dimension will go a long way in the Hoosiers effort to get their sixth win of 2016.

4. Know Where Jabrill Peppers is at All Times

Michigan linebacker Jabrill Peppers has been arguably the most versatile player in college football in 2016 and the Hoosiers must know where he is at all times. On defense Peppers can go from sideline-to-sideline as a ball-seeking missile, and he can shoot a gap and blow up a play in the backfield. The best way to beat Peppers on defense is to run right at him, as he is an undersized linebacker at 205 pounds.

However, Peppers’ talent is not just limited to defense. Much like form Wolverine superstar Charles Woodson, Peppers is used on offense as a wildcat quarterback and as a punt returner where he is probably the most dangerous. The Hoosiers limited Peppers last year when he was on offense, but Joseph Gedeon will have to battle 25 mph winds and maybe some precipitation to try and keep the ball out of his hands in the return game. Peppers is averaging 17.25 yards per punt return with a touchdown, but that could have been much higher if not for the turf monster and some ill-timed blocks in the back.

5. Score Tack On Points

If, and this is a huge if, the Hoosiers can get a lead on Saturday the key to holding onto it will be their ability to score tack on points. They were unable to do it against Penn State when they had the chance. Turning a one-score game into two scores or more is how upsets happen. Indiana cannot sit on a lead and hope the defense can stop Michigan’s offense. The Hoosiers must build on the lead and make the Michigan crowd nervous. This means, the coaches will have to scrap the gadget plays and just roll with what had been working, because no lead has been safe at the Big House for Indiana.