Michigan Wolverines vs. Indiana Hoosiers Complete Game Preview

Michigan (3-5, 1-3 Big Ten) continued its free fall last week losing 35-11 to in-state rival Michigan State. Michigan was not only dominated on the field but found itself embarrassed by a motivational ploy gone wrong that further angered the Spartans. Michigan State hammered the Wolverines, tacking on a late touchdown after which its fans chanted “Keep Brady Hoke” as the game clock expired.

The Wolverines return to Michigan Stadium for a homecoming game versus Indiana with a razor-thin margin for error left to make a bowl game, needing to win of three of four remaining games to be postseason eligible. Indiana (3-4, 0-3 Big Ten) is also struggling, and Michigan needs to take advantage of this opportunity to get back on track.

A loss to Indiana would accelerate calls for Brady Hoke’s dismissal.

This homecoming will be a time for Michigan fans to revel in memories of the past while wondering how long it will be before gridiron glory again returns to Ann Arbor.

Date: Saturday, November 1, 2014

Time: 3:30 p.m. EDT

Place: Michigan Stadium (109,901), Ann Arbor, Mich.

Series vs. Indiana: Michigan leads 53-9

Television: BTN

Radio: Michigan Sports Network, Sirius (113), XM (195)

Spread: Michigan by 9.5 via Odds Shark

Live Stats: MGoBlue.com GameTracker

Last Meeting vs. Indiana

Michigan won a 63-47 shootout over Indiana for its final home win of the season. The Wolverines pulled away with three fourth-quarter touchdowns. Michigan would only win one more game (an overtime thriller versus Northwestern) for the rest of the 2013 season.

*Information according to University of Michigan Wolverine Football game notes.

Video Preview

Highlights from the 2013 matchup between Michigan and Indiana.

Michigan Keys to Victory

Leon Halip/Getty Images

Stop the Turnovers


Michigan needs to stop turning the ball over, starting with quarterback Devin Gardner. Coach Brady Hoke is running out of ways to explain how Gardner can seemingly throw passes directly to the other team.

Last game, he compounded his two interceptions with a first-half unforced fumble. Gardner is the only quarterback option, and if he can’t dial back the turnovers, Michigan may not win another game this season. Michigan is ranked 124th in the nation (out of 125) in turnover margin.

Stop Giving Up Big Plays

The Michigan defense has looked decent at times but gets worn down during the second half. It also has a bad habit to giving up long drives right before halftime and big plays on third down. If the defense can generate some pressure up front, it may be able to put together a dominant performance. If it can’t contain a wounded Indiana offense, Michigan is in danger of matching Rich Rodriguez’s lost 2008 season for futility.

Score Some Points

Michigan needs to score points any way possible. Doug Nussmeier’s plan to streamline the offense has failed to improve matters. He now needs to dream up a scheme that can overcome poor offensive line play and limit Devin Gardner’s opportunity to turn over the ball. At this point, the “Wing T” might be a viable option.

Indiana Keys to Victory

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Pressure Gardner

The plan for opponents has been the same all season long—wait for Devin Gardner to throw interceptions and then take advantage. Sit back in zone coverage, follow his eyes and make the big play. Only three teams in the nation (Texas Tech, UNLV and New Mexico State) have thrown more interceptions than Michigan this season.

Run the Ball

Last week, Michigan State showed that Michigan’s defense couldn’t stop the run. If Tevin Coleman—who leads the nation in running yards—can start piling up yards, Michigan will be in trouble.

Take the Crowd out of It

Michigan fans have a lot to complain about, from the team’s poor season to the unpopularity of athletic director David Brandon. A quick start from Indiana coupled with cool temperatures might encourage fans to head for the exits early and neutralize any home-field advantage the Wolverines might have.

Michigan Players to Watch

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No. 5 Justice Hayes

Quarterback Devin Gardner

Fifth-year senior Gardner has struggled behind a poor offensive line again this season. Throughout his career, he has shown occasional flashes of brilliance (last season versus Ohio State and Notre Dame) but has regressed this season under offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier. Gardner’s gaudy passing totals (5,668 overall yards, sixth all-time) and touchdowns (40, seventh all-time) for Michigan belies his flaws as a quarterback. 


Running Back Justice Hayes

Hayes entered the season at the third-down back, noted for his blocking ability and option as a receiver. But after the season-ending injury to Derrick Green, Hayes (35 carries for 148 yards) is seeing a lot more playing time. His versatility may be the key to Michigan jump-starting its offense.

Wide Receiver Dennis Norfleet

Offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier is dazzled by Norfleet’s speed and running ability. Look for him to keep trying to get the ball into Norfleet’s hands any way possible.

Indiana Players to Watch

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Tevin Coleman

Running Back Tevin Coleman

Coleman leads the nation with 1,192 rushing yards and is competing for the Doak Walker Award (nation's top running back) and the Maxwell Award (nation's top offensive player). Michigan had shown success against the run before getting gashed by Michigan State last week for 219 yards.

Coleman ranks first in the following categories: rushing yards (1,192), yards per carry (8.83), 100-yard rushing games (7), yards from scrimmage (1,332) and yards from scrimmage per game (190.3). He ran for 132 yards versus Michigan State (the only back to break 100 yards versus the Spartans).

Quarterback Zander Diamont

Injuries have forced Diamont into the starting role. Look for him to rely on the ground game, since he’s only completed five passes this season. Michigan can’t get caught napping—Diamont did set numerous passing records in high school and will go downfield if given the opportunity.
 

Linebacker T.J. Simmons

Simmons (43 tackles, 2.5 TFL) leads the team in tackles as a sophomore. He covers a lot of ground and is reminiscent of Michigan’s Jake Ryan. Michigan will need to account for him on every play.

What They’re Saying

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Michigan

Michigan head coach Brady Hoke via mgoblue.com

"

[On the importance of homecoming] Well, No. 1, there are a lot of alums who come back. And I think it's the only time they might come back all year with the global university that we are. We're not regional, we're pretty much world-wide. And so having those folks coming back and being on campus, getting the feel of a football game at Michigan Stadium, we'll be excited because of those who are coming back. We've met and our team is committed to one another and what we are trying to get done.

"

Michigan head coach Brady Hoke via mgoblue.com

"

So, we talked about that [bowl situation]. Do you think about that? Yeah, it's out there somewhere. More so, we have to take care of Indiana first before we think about that. Every game is a building block, it is. But for us, Indiana is what's next, and that's what we're working on.

"

Indiana

Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson via iuhoosiers.com

"

[Michigan is]...very good on defense. Statistically week after -- they're sitting at a record that's I'm sure not what they like, but now the game they've lost to five teams that are ranked or have played pretty good football if you look at it. I think Rutgers now maybe is at 5 and 3. You know, they beat Penn State at their place, but lose to Utah that's rated. Notre Dame is rated. Michigan State has been playing awfully good. Minnesota was rated. They've played a tough schedule. Very, very stout on defense. Very good in run defense.

"

Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson via iuhoosiers.com

"

It's a prideful program, a great program. They're going to play their tails off, always have, always will. We're going to have to do the same thing if we want to step up and start having success. All we've talked about is there's a lot to play for, not to feel sorry for ourselves, not to have any excuses about anything. Our season is where it is and there's five weeks, a lot to play for.

"

Prediction

USA TODAY Sports

Michigan 27, Indiana 24

Michigan wins a tight homecoming thriller over Indiana to keep its slim chances of making a bowl game alive, but the vultures continue to circle over Hoke and his staff.

Phil Callihan is a featured writer for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotations obtained firsthand.

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