Indiana football returns to action for week seven of the college football season when they travel to Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor to face the undefeated Wolverines and resume Big Ten conference play.
Fresh off of a bye, Indiana looks to improve on a 2-3 record, all while building some momentum to take into the second part of the season.
Since the Hoosiers’ embarrassing defeat to Maryland two weeks ago, the Indiana football program made some significant changes with the most crucial one coming with the firing of Walt Bell as offensive coordinator and replacing him with Rod Carey.
In the all-time series, Michigan owns a 61-10 edge, with Indiana’s last win coming during the 2020 season in Bloomington.
Below is the full game preview of everything you need to know about Saturday’s matchup.
Key Storylines
Will significant progress be made on the offensive end?
It was extremely obvious dating back to the week one loss to Ohio State that what Walt Bell was bringing to the offensive table simply was not working. As each game came and went, the writing was on the wall and Bell’s time at Indiana was coming to an end.
The final straw came with Indiana’s embarrassing performance at Maryland two weeks ago. Tom Allen would then announce the firing of Walt Bell and that Rod Carrey would be taking over as Indiana’s permanent offensive play-caller for the foreseeable future.
The question now becomes if the Hoosiers can make any sort of progress with the remaining games on the schedule. While Rod Carey has stated that there won’t be any major changes to the offensive play-calling, he is trying to figure out better ways to finish off possessions and make the offense less predictable.
“There is not a magic wand here,” said Rod Carey. “It’s the little things, it’s the details and really with the setup with the staff and how we’re going to approach things. Those little things tend to make a big difference.”
Through five games this year, the Indiana football program is averaging 20.8 points per game, 13th in the Big Ten. Against FBS opponents, Indiana is averaging just 12.8 points per game in regulation. Indiana scored 12 of its 29 points against Akron in week four, in four overtime periods.
Can the defense get back on track?
Indiana’s defense was once a strength of Indiana football, but it has quickly turned into a major concern and is on track to replicate what the fans have seen in recent years. Other than the second half of the Louisville game, the defense has struggled in the past few games allowed a total of 71 points against Akron and Maryland.
Things do not get any easier for Indiana’s defense as they face one of the best offenses in the country in Michigan. They are strong in nearly every offensive facet of the game. Michigan has an average scoring margin of +30.7 this season, the third-highest in the country, and has scored 30-plus points in nine straight games.
The defensive side of the ball for the Hoosiers has no choice but to step up their game because this is likely going to be the most challenging offense they will face all season. The biggest part will be containing quarterback J.J McCarthy.
“Our guys, what’s their comfort level, how will they be able to play? If we feel good about where we think that is and we want to get back to doing that and help our guys and do a really good job of disguising our coverings and making the quarterback have to consider things with the reads and then do a great job of still continuing to improve on containing them because we still have another athletic quarterback this week that can run it,” said Tom Allen earlier this week.
“J.J. McCarthy is a very, very athletic quarterback that has really good speed and can beat you with his arms and his legs. So that doesn’t change this week.”
Can Indiana football remain competitive throughout the entire game?
If you have been watching Michigan at all this season, they haven’t had any struggles with ANY team they have faced. With the struggling Hoosiers coming into town, that trend is not likely to change.
Indiana has struggled the last three weeks to play a full four quarters. On the flip side, Michigan has outscored opponents this season 123-23 in the first half. This is truly a battle of a team that has slow starts vs a team that starts off hot and stays hot throughout.
To add to Michigan’s pure dominance, in six games for JJ McCarthy he has had a total of just six fourth quarter snaps, coming in one game against Rutgers.
Nobody is expecting the Hoosiers to come in and win this game, they are a near five touchdown underdog. What could really help Indiana in this one is if they at least remain competitive. If they remain competitive and make this a game, who knows what could happen.
Related: Jim Harbaugh on Indiana football: ‘They’re a gritty team’
Matchup History
In the all-time series, Michigan owns a 61-10 edge with Indiana’s last win coming during the 2020 season in Bloomington. Indiana football has lost 26 of the past 27 games against the Wolverines.
The first meeting in the series came in Bloomington during the 1900 season and the two teams have played each season since 2013, which includes all 10 seasons of the Big Ten’s East/West Division format.
Michigan has won two straight in the series since Indiana’s 38-21 victory at Memorial Stadium during the 2020 season. Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is 7-1 against Indiana.
Watch: Indiana head coach Tom Allen discusses bye week, looks ahead to Michigan
Injury Updates
Indiana
QB Dexter Williams II: Williams is questionable. He is still in the recovery process of his significant knee injury from Indiana football’s season finale last year. While he has not be a part of Indiana’s quarterback battle, he has been able to contribute on the field a little as well as be a leader for both Jackson and Sorsby. This is the first game this season he has the questionable tag.
WR Cam Camper: Camper was a “little banged up” after the Maryland game but the bye week was reported that the bye week was great for him. He is expected to play at Michigan.
RB Josh Henderson: Out the last two weeks (lower body), likely out this week but still TBD
WR EJ Williams: Has missed the last three week with wrist injury. Status is TBD
OL Max Longman: Has missed the last two weeks with lower body injury. Status is TBD
DB Jamier Johnson: Missed last week with an undisclosed injury. Status is TBD
TE Bradley Archer: Missed last week with an undisclosed injury. Status is TBD
Michigan
DT Mason Graham: Hand injury but is expected to play with club on hand.
RT Myles Hinton: Has undisclosed injury that caused him to miss two weeks ago and partially limited him last week. Is expected to play.
More: Indiana Football vs Michigan: Key players, notes and opening spread
Quick Hitters
Who?: Indiana (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten) at Michigan (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten)
When?: Saturday, Oct. 14 | Noon ET
Where?:Michigan Stadium (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
TV: FOX
Radio: Indiana Hoosiers Sports Network
Spread: Michigan -33.5 via DraftKings Sportsbook
Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated, part of the Full Ride Network, on Twitter @Indiana_FRN, Facebook and YouTubeto stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. You can also listen to the Talking’ Bout the Hoosiers podcast on Spotify.
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