Indiana Football Opposing Q&A: Getting to know Michigan

The Indiana football program head to Ann Arbor on Saturday to face No. 2 Michigan.

Indiana currently sits at 2-3 on the season and 0-2 in Big Ten play. It is coming off of a bye week following a 44-17 loss to Maryland.

Michigan is 6-0 and has been one of the most dominant teams in college football this season.

HoosierIllustrated.com spoke with BluebyNinety.com, part of the Full Ride Network, Publisher CJ Mangum to get a better look at Michigan and some of the challenges that the Indiana football program will face on Saturday.

Q: Michigan has one of the most dominant, if not the most dominant, defenses in the country. If there is any area Indiana could and should attack, what would that be?

Mangum: Frankly, there isn’t much this Michigan defense can’t do. Earlier this year, there were a few injuries that the Wolverines were working through within the defensive backfield — some of which are still lingering — though even that is not a glaring issue anymore. So far this year, there have been no real issues on defense; by the time the third quarter rolls around, the depth of this year’s team will start setting in — the only thing better than Michigan’s defense right now is Michigan’s defense against a tired offense. 

Q: JJ McCarthy has been very solid all-around this season but had a slip up against Bowling Green. Throwing all three of his interceptions in that matchup, was it more of what BG was doing, and if so what was it, or more on the side of McCarthy?

Mangum: It was more on JJ McCarthy, who has since recovered and played a few great games in a row. Frankly, he was trying to do too much against Bowling Green, though as QB coach Kirk Campbell explained this week, it was a fantastic learning experience for the former 5-star passer. JJ is still yet to see a snap in the fourth quarter, and his QBR is the best in the country, so if he can stay out of his own head, I expect another solid game. 

Q: Everyone knows about Roman Wilson in the passing game, but Cornelius Johnson has proven to be a big and consistent threat as well. How is he used in the offense and where is he at his biggest threat to opposing defenses?

Mangum: Roman Wilson is an elite route runner and can get open against any coverage; however, on the other hand, Cornelius Johnson is Michigan’s big-body wideout. If he is in 1-on-1 coverage, JJ McCarthy really likes that matchup — he has shown a few times, including last weekend, that he will lob a 50/50 ball if CJ only has one man to beat. Additionally, as seen against Ohio State (2022) and others, Johnson has some incredible speed when he gets in open space. Don’t just look at the box score when it comes to Michigan’s wideouts, because this offense has a few extremely dangerous wideouts. 

Q: Michigan faces Michigan State next weekend — do you think there is any chance UM overlooks Indiana and allows IU to hang around a bit longer than it should? Or, is Michigan so locked in that this will be another dominant performance?

Mangum: No — Michigan is fixed on winning each week. Time and time again this team has proven that it doesn’t matter about anything but “where it’s feet are” — Michigan is yet to overlook a team, and I think a lot of that has to do with the TCU loss last year. I’ll also add that, while MSU is a rival, the Spartans are awful right now, so I doubt Michigan is peeking ahead at a team that doesn’t pose much of a threat. 

Q: If Indiana is able to cover the spread and even keep this closer than some think, it will be because of what 2-3 reasons?

Mangum:

• Weather (it is supposed to be very rainy in Ann Arbor tomorrow)
• Michigan’s offensive scheme. The Wolverines sometimes like to just run the ball and eat clock until the other team is worn down — hence why Michigan is 2-4 ATS (against the spread) this year. 
• Starters coming out early. Michigan’s starters usually leave the game in the middle of the third quarter — JJ McCarthy is one of a few stars who is yet to see a single down in the fourth quarter this fall. A lot of teams have gotten some late points on the backups, so IU may do the same and cover the spread late. 

SEE ALSO: Bottom line is Indiana football needs to score points. Question is, how? Rod Carey’s first challenge awaits

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