No. 9 Michigan Looks To Bounce Back

Indiana (2-6, 0-5 Big Ten) at No. 9 Michigan (7-1, 4-1, No. 7 CFP), Saturday at 7:30 p.m. EDT.

Line: Michigan by 19 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Series record: Michigan leads 59-10.

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

The Wolverines are trying to recover from their late collapse to in-state rival Michigan State and remain in the Big Ten title hunt. Michigan gave away a 16-point, second-half lead to the Spartans while suffering its first loss this season. The Hoosiers started this season with Big Ten title hopes. They still haven't won a conference game and another loss Saturday could end their hopes of making a third consecutive bowl game.

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 30: Payton Thorne #10 of the Michigan State Spartans throws a first half pass next to Christopher Hinton #15 of the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium on October 30, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

KEY MATCHUP

Indiana's rushing game vs. Michigan's front seven. With their quarterback situation in flux due to injuries, the Hoosiers need to have an effective running game to pull off the upset. Indiana ranks 10th in the Big Ten with an average of 122.8 yards rushing. The Hoosiers' offensive line will have find ways to neutralize star Aidan Hutchinson and Christopher Hinton to create holes for Stephen Carr.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Indiana: QB Donaven McCulley. When he replaced the injured Jack Tuttle after the first series against Ohio State, the true freshman looked overmatched. Last week, he showed promise by going 14 of 25 with 242 yards and two touchdowns at Maryland.

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 30: Andrel Anthony #1 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates his first half touchdown with J.J. McCarthy #9 while playing the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on October 30, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Michigan: WR Andrel Anthony. A freshman from East Lansing, Anthony came out of nowhere to record 155 yards and two touchdowns against Michigan State. Anthony will now have to prove it wasn't just a one-game fluke. The Wolverines have been searching for a No. 1 receiving option since Ronnie Bell was injured in the season opener.

FACTS & FIGURES

Michigan has won 39 of the last 41 meetings with Indiana. … The Hoosiers snapped a 24-game losing streak to the Wolverines with a 38-21 victory last season. The only times Indiana has won two straight against the Wolverines came in 1958-59 and 1944-45. ... Wolverines LB David Ojabo has seven sacks and three forced fumbles despite starting just three games. ... Indiana has lost all five games it has played against teams appearing in the top 10 this season. ... The Hoosiers' Peyton Hendershot needs one TD catch to tie Ted Bolser's school record (15) for a tight end.

 

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