By the Numbers: Game 9 vs. Indiana | By Fans...For Fans Since 1999 | UMGOBLUE.COM Michigan Wolverine Football & Basketball

LAST WEEK RECAP

The Wolverines let a 16-point lead slip through their fingers in East Lansing during a painful 37-33 loss to the Spartans. Michigan did many positive things against Michigan State, but just couldn’t come up with the critical plays in high leverage moments.

NEXT UP: vs. Indiana: 61st, 5.3

PREGAME SP+: U-M by 17.9, Michigan Win Probability 85%
Indiana has crashed back to earth after living a charmed existence in 2020 as everyone’s favorite COVID team. QB Michael Penix can’t stay healthy, and the Hoosiers have also lost their best defensive coverage guys to injury.

Michigan Offense (18th) vs. Indiana Defense (41st)

SP+ does not adjust for injured players who are missing, and that is the story of Indiana’s defense. Their defensive backfield looked elite coming into the 2021 season. However, they are hobbled by major injuries, most notably to cornerback Taiwan Mullen. This matchup feels similar to how the Wolverines lined up with the Washington Huskies back in Week 2, except Indiana has lost their best cover guys. I will be concerned if Michigan struggles for more than a series or two with their starters in this game.

Michigan Defense (8th) vs. Indiana Offense (74th)

Mike MacDonald and the Wolverine defense need a get right game. The Hoosiers should be just what the doctor ordered. Former Michigan backup QB Nick Sheridan has been uninspiring as offensive coordinator in Bloomington. I don’t believe Indiana will be able to protect their own backup QB Donaven McCulley. Indiana has come up with troublesome game plans in years past, though. I expect the Hoosiers will attempt to exploit the Wolverines’ alignment issues versus tempo that proved to be fatal last week in East Lansing.

PREDICTION: Michigan will be challenged again to focus on the task at hand without looking ahead. Nearly every matchup on paper is a sizable advantage for the Wolverines, and they are 3 touchdown favorites. The team will not be able to disprove their most vocal doubters against this under-manned Hoosier team. The goal must be to clean up the personnel issues on defense. We also want to see confidence continue to build on offense. Cade McNamara is coming off his best performance. Now, Michigan fans would love to see a full, completely balanced performance from both the passing and rushing attacks. I believe we’ll see continued success in terms of yardage, but this probably won’t be the game where Josh Gattis answers the red zone touchdown questions.

Michigan 32 Indiana 10 (PRESEASON Michigan 25 Indiana 17)

MICHIGAN RESUME UPDATE (10/31/21), 7-1