Michigan's Tate Forcier is as Clutch as They Come in Win Over Indiana

If Michigan didn't appreciate the value of a solid starting center, they sure do now. It was nearly their undoing this week against an upstart Indiana Hoosiers team.

It was a game that will rank among the greatest in the long-time series between two Big Ten teams, but mistakes by Michigan's patchy offensive line made it so.

With trustworthy David Molk out for four to six weeks, David Moosman came in to replace the man who snapped every ball for the Wolverines.

It could have gone better.

Moosman had at least four bad snaps that each resulted in losses of ten yards or more. That Michigan didn't turn the ball over on any of them is a miracle in itself, but they did kill drives, as well as create uncertainty and inconsistency in the offense.

For much of the first half, quarterback Tate Forcier was terrorized by Indiana's powerful, senior-led defensive line. Although he was only sacked twice, the line put pressure on young Forcier all day long. At one point, the pressure resulted in a poor up-for-grabs interception.

Indiana also had strength on offense with a powerful rushing attack. It staked them out to a 20-14 lead late in the second half.

Sensing a shift in momentum, Rich Rodriguez replaced Forcier with Denard "Shoelace" Robinson. Up until this game, we knew Robinson could run. Scratch that, he could fly. Passing was a different story. Going to the air was ill advised for the true freshman.

He's learning though. That much is evident.

Robinson sparked the offense down the field, including throwing a 36-yard bomb to tight end Kevin Koger. That set up Brandon Minor's 13-yard touchdown run.

That wouldn't give Michigan the lead for long though. Indiana had their best team in a decade here, and they weren't going away quietly.

Indiana was able to march back down field in the waining minutes of the half, ending the drive with another field goal to go up 23-21 at the half.

Despite that score, Michigan was lucky. They should have been down by multiple touchdowns.

The way Indiana moved the ball seemingly at will, was shameful. They had four red-zone opportunities in the half. Fortunately, the Wolverines defense was just good enough to limit the Hooisers to three field goals and one touchdown.

Strangely enough, it was more of the same in the second half. Michigan's offense came out mistake-ridden and listless. More bad snaps, more missed passes.

Still, fortunately for Michigan, Indiana's red-zone trouble would continue. Going into the fourth quarter, despite Michigan's listless offense, Indiana only had a five point lead.

Then, midway through the fourth quarter, Tate Forcier did his thing. Looking very much like the quarterback that led the game winning drive against Notre Dame, Forcier dinked and dunked his way downfield before taking it in himself.

Michigan had the lead for the first time since midway through the first quarter and seemed in control.

Then disaster struck.

On the Hoosier's next offensive play, they swept the air out of Michigan Stadium. Darius Williams, carrying Indiana's 15-game losing streak to Michigan on his shoulders, bolted downfield as if zooming by on a zephyr, 85 yards for a touchdown.

The Hoosiers led 33-29.

Could Forcier work his magic twice? Or would that be asking too much of a true freshman?

Yes, and no.

On the ensuing drive, Michigan would go three and out, but the spirit of Michigan Stadium was still alive.

Punting from their own end-zone, Zoltan Mesko would receive a very favorable bounce and the Indiana would start from their 25-yard line.

The Wolverines would again get the ball back after an Indiana punt, and again, out came the hero of the hour, Tate Forcier.

Forcier again began to lead the Wolverines downfield as the clock inched its way down from four minutes. That is, until a hard hit knocked him out of the game.

Forcier would hand the ball over to Denard Robinson. He also may have transferred his clutch ability to Robinson momentarily.

Robinson would continue the drive, rushing twice for a first down, getting Michigan into red-zone territory.

Then Forcier, summoning the last of his strength, with one limp arm, trudged back onto the field, and did what clutch quarterbacks do. 

Forcier dropped back as Martavious Odoms flew down his post-route, and a 28-yard jet of a pass was squeezed into the end-zone.

Michigan would go up 36-33 and Forcier was promptly knighted by the Queen of England.

Is there nothing this kid can't do? Certainly, Forcier has all the intangibles that superstar quarterback's possess, even if his ability is still fledgling.

Still, the game wasn't over yet. There was still a full two minutes left on the clock and Indiana had all three of their timeouts remaining.

Then, what you never want to see happen in a close football game, did.

Indiana quarterback Ben Chappell tossed a pass to Terrance Turner who had been having a solid game. Michigan cornerback Donovon Warren grabbed the ball at the same time as Turner did, and both players came down with it.

While on the ground, Warren stripped the ball from Turner. The refs called it Michigan ball.

Except, the rules say that if both players come down with the ball, the offensive player retains possession.

A video replay couldn't find enough evidence to overturn the call. Tough break for Indiana. They would not get the chance to comeback.

With a final first down, Michigan would run out the clock and win the game. Live to fight another day.

However, Indiana fans should not dwell on the missed call as the reason they lost this game. Instead they should point to the four red-zone trips they had that ended in field goals instead of touchdowns.

If just one of those trips ended in a touchdown, Indiana wins.

That's how close this game was, and that's how lucky Michigan was. Luck was only part of the equation today though, and the other half was the will of Tate Forcier.

This is a freshman, who after four games has shown enough determination and poise, that he could eventually become one of the greatest quarterbacks in Michigan history. His never say die attitude is an undervalued trait that often times, can trump outright skill.

He will only get better, as will Michigan. 

The defense still remains a large concern, and so does Michigan's problem at center. They will have to find a way to manage without David Molk which will be easier said than done.

For now though, this is a team that finds a way to win. A hungry team, a determined team. That's going to get them wins, even if their talent level still leaves something to be desired.

How far will Michigan go? As far as the arm of Tate Forcier takes them. Right now, it looks like the sky is the limit.