Indiana Coach Tom Allen Says Michigan Has 'Earned That Discussion' Of Being The No. 1 Team In The Nation

During his pre-Michigan availability, the Hoosiers' coach Tom Allen talked about the Wolverines and what he sees heading into the game

Michigan (6-0) is coming off a dominant win over Minnesota last weekend, while the Indiana Hoosiers are coming off of a bye week in which they made an offensive coordinator change. The 2-3 Hoosiers used the bye to get players healthy, look more into the 113th-scoring offense, and to prepare for Michigan. 

"And then also just as we prepare for a very good Michigan football team," said Allen. "Obviously playing as well as anybody in America right now and playing with a lot of confidence and a lot of experience on that team, on both sides of the ball, and a big physical team that is playing at a very high level right now."

Allen was asked about the Wolverines trench play this season. The eighth-year Hoosiers' head coach talked about how Michigan has some new players on the line, but he has seen a ton of progression since the first couple of games. The Wolverines' linemen are moving guys around now, something that wasn't as noticeable In the first couple of games. Allen said the Wolverines are just so dominant that they wear the opposing team down. 

"They're really good," Allen said of Michigan's O-line. "They were really good last year. I think they got voted the number one offensive line in the country I think two years in a row. They do have some new faces on the O-line. I do think you can see the progression. They've played better here I think in the last couple of weeks than they did earlier on in the first few games. But there's no question that they do have some new guys."

"Obviously they had their core positions of running back and quarterback, and they've got a really talented tight end, one of the best in the country and really good speed wide receivers, a couple of them, really special.I think their O line is playing at a high level right now, very dominant, and physical, knocking people off of football and just establishing, just wearing people down as the game progresses.Similar to what they've been in the past in regards to how they were last year."

Allen went as far as to say Michigan earned the right to be in the discussion as the No. 1 team in the country. Had Georgia not blown Kentucky out last weekend, the Indiana coach thinks the Wolverines might've been No. 1 in the poll this week. 

He is impressed with how well-coached the Wolverines are and how technically sound they are. He thinks his team has to find a way to slow down J.J. McCarthy and Co. down to give themselves a chance. 

"And obviously they were one game away from playing for the national championship a year ago," said Allen. "So very impressive football team, and I think had Georgia maybe not played the way they did, they could be No. 1 in the poll this week. They've definitely earned that discussion, for sure. So a lot of respect for them in how they're playing right now and very well coached at all positions."

"But up front is where, their D-line and O-line, is where they've really established themselves. And they're physical and they're well-coached and they're technically sound. Good combination for them. We've just got to find a way to slow down this offense and give ourselves a chance. They haven't turned the ball over very many times. That's something, obviously takeaways are a huge component of every game. It will continue to be both sides of the ball without question this week."

Michigan and Indiana will be aired on Fox this Saturday at Noon.