Indiana Week: Three Keys To A Michigan Football Victory

The Wolverines are major favorites heading into a Week 7 game against the Hoosiers. Here's what the Wolverines need to do in order to come out victors.

After two complete, and dominant, wins on the road over Nebraska and Minnesota, the Wolverines are back in Ann Arbor. On Saturday, Michigan will host (2-3) Indiana. The Hoosiers are coming off of a bye week in which they fired their offensive and promoted Rod Casey as the new coordinator. 

The Hoosiers used the bye week to get healthy, implement some new things on offense, and of course, to prepare for Michigan. 

The Wolverines enter the game 33.5-point favorites over the Hoosiers. And while it feels like the main key to this game is to stay healthy -- here are three keys for Michigan to execute in order to stay unbeaten. 

1. Be aware of Jaylin Lucas in the kick return game

Indiana isn't really good at anything, but the best part of its game may be the kick return game with sophomore speedster, Jaylin Lucas. The Hoosiers have one of the better kick return units, but it all stems from Lucas. 

Lucas is second in the Big Ten averaging 22.6 yards per kick return. The sophomore has been held in check when it comes to punt returns, averaging 3.7 yards per return, but Michigan needs to be aware of who it's kicking to.

It feels like Michigan should score plenty of points on Saturday, which means the Wolverines will be kicking off a ton. One way for a team like Indiana to stay competitive in the game is if it has great field possession. I don't see Indiana moving the ball very well against the best defense in the country, but if Lucas has a few really nice returns and can set up the offense, then Indiana could gain confidence to make Saturday somewhat competitive. 

Even on offense, Lucas will split carries with former Michigan RB Chrisitan Turner. Lucas has scored three times on the ground this season and he can sure run. Just being aware of where Lucas is on the field feels very important for Michigan. 

2. Continue to limit turnovers 

As of now, the weather looks brutal for Saturday in Ann Arbor. Cold, rainy, and very windy -- not very friendly for the offense. 

It may be a running football game for Michigan using Blake Corum, Donovan Edwards, and Kalel Mullings. But with the football being wet and the field not in the greatest of conditions, the ball carriers must keep the ball safe at all times. 

Just like Jaylin Lucas having nice returns, another way for Indiana to stay in the game is if Michigan turns the football over. The Wolverines are tied for fourth in the Big Ten coughing the football up five times this season. And the Hoosiers are tied for 11th in the conference gaining six turnovers this year. 

So Indiana isn't great at getting its hands on the football, but as we've seen a million times, weather can do a lot of damage to teams when it comes to turning the football over. 

To simplify: ball security on Saturday. 

3. Pass rush, pass rush, pass rush

Even with the weather being a factor on Saturday, Indiana may not be able to run the football. First off, the Hoosiers have the 115th-ranked run offense in the country averaging a pedestrian 110 yards per game. When a team struggles to run the football and they are facing the No. 2 Michigan run defense -- they will probably gain minimal. 

It's not like the Hoosiers have a good passing team either. The Hoosiers have the 77th-ranked passing attack gaining 224 yards per game through the air. But 77 is way better than 115. 

Another issue with the Hoosiers passing attack is that they've allowed eight sacks this year and according to PFF, Indiana has the 102nd pass-blocking team. Pro Football Focus gave the Indiana O-line a 55.2 grade.

The Wolverines pass rushers are only getting better and better. We've seen an uptick in production from both Josaiah Stewart and Derrick Moore. We already knew Braiden McGregor and Jaylen Harrell could rush the QB. Even the interior line like Kris Jenkins, Mason Graham, and Kenneth Grant have done a good job at getting pressure on the opposing QB. 

If Indiana cannot run the football and the O-line can't give Tayven Jackson time to throw the ball then this game may look exactly like the Minnesota game last weekend -- as in Indiana may gain less than 200 yards on offense.