Michigan vs. Indiana football game preview, prediction
Big Ten East football kicks off this weekend from the Big House as unranked, 2-3 Indiana hits the road against undefeated, No. 2 ranked and defending conference champion Michigan in college football's Week 7 action on Saturday.
Michigan remains the favorite to three-peat as Big Ten champions, especially after two statement wins against Nebraska and Minnesota in which it outscored those opponents 97 to 17, and has out-paced conference opposition by a combined 128 to 24 behind an offense averaging more than 414 total yards per game.
Indiana is tied for last place alongside Michigan State at 2-3 overall and 0-2 in conference play, losing three of the last five and ranking 115th nationally in scoring offense with just 20.8 points per game on average.
Michigan vs. Indiana preview, prediction
Michigan vs. Indiana game predictions
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How to watch
When: Sat., Oct. 14
Time: 12 p.m. Eastern
TV: Fox network
Stream live: fuboTV (Try for free)
Michigan vs. Indiana game odds
Courtesy of SI Sportsbook
Line: Michigan -33.5
Total: 45.5 points
Moneyline: IU +1200 | UM N/A
FPI pick: Michigan 96.6% to win
What to watch for
1. Michigan's X-factor. Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy didn't run for any touchdowns in the first four games combined, but has rushed for three scores in the last two games. McCarthy is second on the team with 5 runs of 10-plus yards and has converted 10 first downs, trailing only Blake Corum in that category. Having that extra dimension to throw at a defense and move the chains is crucial as the season wears on.
2. Battle at the line. Michigan should have the advantage when throwing its elite pass rushers against an Indiana line that has struggled to get a push against opponents. The unit has allowed 8 sacks this season and is the 102nd ranked pass blocking team, per PFF. IU is the 115th ranked rushing team in college football and is going against the nation's No. 2 ranked run defense. And it's not like the Hoosiers can compensate by throwing the ball with authority, ranking 77th overall.
3. Avoiding mistakes. Playing mistake-free football has helped Michigan maintain its dominance this season, and key to that success has been avoiding penalties. UM ranks No. 1 in four penalty-related categories: fewest overall flags (14), fewest penalties per game (2.3), fewest penalty yards (103), and fewest penalty yards per game (17.2).
Michigan vs. Indiana prediction
The Hoosiers' aerial attack is very touch and go. On the one hand, it can get overwhelmed on the edges and allow too much pressure on the quarterback.
On the other, it does post over 220 yards per game, is decent at avoiding turnovers, and has potential deep threat Cam Camper, who might find room against a Michigan defense that allowed 30-plus yard touchdown passes in 2 of the last 3 games.
Michigan has the bodies on both lines of scrimmage to control the game and the rushing attack to control the clock and prevent the Hoosiers from building any kind of long-term momentum.
College Football HQ picks...
- Michigan wins 41-10
- Doesn't cover the spread
- And hits the over
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