Michigan - Indiana Preview

Time: 3:30 EST
Location: Bloomington, IN
Line: Michigan -10
TV: ESPNU
Weather: 66 and Partly Cloudy


This is the first Big Ten game of 2010 for both teams.  IU is 3-0 with wins over Towson, W. Kentucky, and Akron while Michigan is 4-0 with wins over UConn, ND, UMass, and Bowling Green.  

If it was a boxing match, most experts would expect a knock out in the first 3 rounds.   Both guys throw a ton of punches but don't protect themselves very well.

Let's go to the team ranking through 3 or 4 games:

Rushing:
Michigan #2
IU #96

Passing:
Michigan #50
IU #11

Points For:
Michigan #11
IU #10

Points Against:
Michigan #64
IU #43

So what do you make of these?  It's clear both teams like to score points, Michigan on the ground and IU through the air.  Neither team plays much defense.  I would say Michigan being #64 against the teams they played is a bit better then IU's #43 through 3 cupcakes.   Everyone is predicting a ton of points in this one and a running time of about 5 hours.  Which should make the crew from ESPN U happy since 2 million people tuned in for the Michigan - BGSU blowout a week earlier. 

Tale of the Tape:

Michigan Offense vs IU Defense = Denard

IU Offense vs Michigan D = Lots of practice for Michigan's Young DB's

Special Teams = Push

Intangibles = Push (IU is at home but Michigan is the best team they have faced this year)


Indiana has a senior QB and good players at the skill positions.  Michigan on defense will have to get a ton of pressure with the pass rush and not get surprised by the running game.   Michigan's DB's will have to make some plays to get some stops.   If there was ever a time to consider Brian from Mgoblog's theory of putting Kovacs at middle linebacker, this would be the game.   IU came into the Big House last year and almost beat Michigan with only a controversial interception by Donovan Warren giving Big Blue the win.

IU on defense won't be able to stop Michigan's offense since they had a hard time stopping Western Kentucky and Akron.  So ball protection will be key for Wolverines.  Michigan was focused and ready to play the last time they had a road game in Indiana a couple of weeks ago against ND and they need to have the same focus against IU.

Sing Hail to the Victors if............

• Michigan doesn't have to punt or kick field goals again
• Denard is Denard
• The Michigan Defense against UConn, ND, and BGSU shows up
• Michigan gets 5 sacks and 2 picks
• A Michigan RB has over 100 yards and Stonum and Roundtree are open all day
• Bill Lynch launches his gum toward the crowd 3 times.  Is that double bubble?

Scream, Indiana is a basketball school! if............

• The game becomes the "Chappell Show"
• If Saturday starts to look like 2009
• IU gets some stops on defense
• Michigan turns the ball over
• Michigan's DB's look like high school seniors

There is one thing I know for sure in sports:  When everyone thinks one thing is going to happen the opposite usually does.  Everyone and their brother are calling for a ton of points in this game (like 80!).  Whoever scores last wins!  Which could be true but I think Michigan's 2010 defense is actually better suited for a Pistol or Spread type of offense then a Pro Style (like Michigan will see the following weeks).  Greg Robinson will be very key in this game on the personnel and formations he uses.   I think both teams will give up big plays but not as many as predicted.   Turnovers will be the difference.  Michigan 31 IU 20


GO BLUE!