Michigan is a double-digit underdog again this week. Here are the key matchups to watch when the Wolverines take on No. 8 Indiana.
The Michigan Wolverines are fresh off a loss to the top-ranked team in the country. Although they had some impressive moments and players fought hard, they lost by three touchdowns. Thankfully players like Davis Warren are starting to find some rhythm, while Michigan needs to get its run game back on track and get a bit healthier on defense.
It’s been a magical season for Indiana. Oddly enough, the last time Michigan was having a down year, Indiana competed at the top of the conference, finishing the 2020 season ranked No. 12. IU is undefeated in 2024 and looking to stay that way this Saturday.
Here are the matchups we’ll watch when Michigan takes on the No. 8 Indiana Hoosiers .
Michigan run game vs. Indiana rush defense
Michigan’s run game has stalled out slightly. Over the last two weeks, the Wolverines have rushed for just 224 yards combined. Kalel Mullings only had eight carries for 16 yards against Oregon, an average of just two yards per carry. Michigan will need to slow the game down against Indiana, and the easiest way to do that is a successful run game.
Statistically speaking, Indiana has the best rush defense in the country. The Hoosiers only allow 72.6 yards per game and about 2.5 yards per carry. When it comes to rushing touchdowns, they’ve only allowed seven. Michigan will need to get well over the 100-yard mark in this one to keep it competitive.
Michigan pass protection vs. Indiana pass rush
Michigan’s offensive line continues to improve — they didn’t allow any sacks against Michigan State and allowed just one sack against Oregon. The entire offensive line, especially given the injury to Andrew Gentry, will need to continue to improve. Evan Link still has a pretty bad Pro Football Focus grade — 27.3 for the year — but improved to 54.0 against Oregon.
Indiana’s defense has 35 sacks this season, 29 quarterback hits and 131 hurries. IU edge rusher Mikail Kamara leads the team with nine sacks — he had 2.5 against Michigan State last weekend and 4.5 tackles for loss. If Kamara’s having a successful day, Michigan probably is going three-and-out on most drives or throwing the ball more than they’d like because they’re way behind the chains.
Michigan pass rush vs. Indiana pass protection
Michigan will need major performances from Josaiah Stewart and Mason Graham on Saturday. Stewart leads the team with six sacks, while Graham is right behind with five. They’ll need to get to quarterback Kurtis Rourke early and often to get him off rhythm. Michigan’s defensive front can’t just hurry Rourke — they need to sack him.
Rourke has thrown for 2,204 yards this season, 19 touchdowns and three interceptions. His quarterback rating is 91.6, and a big part of that is credited to the protection he’s getting from his offensive line. Indiana has one of the best-graded offensive lines when it comes to pass blocking. According to PFF, four of their five starting linemen average pass blocking grades higher than 80.0, and center Mike Katic still grades out at 72.8.
This will be a tough challenge for Stewart, Graham and company, but the unit has the overall talent level to hang with most, if not all, offensive lines in the country.