The Indiana Hoosiers and the Michigan Wolverines meet Saturday in college football action from Michigan Stadium. Indiana is 2-3 overall this year and coming off an open week. The Hoosiers last appeared in a blowout loss to Maryland. As for Michigan, they played Minnesota last weekend. The Wolverines remained undefeated with a blowout victory there. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.
Indiana Hoosiers
The Hoosiers have had quite the erratic season so far, but to be fair they’ve also faced some tough opponents. Indiana opened with a 23-3 loss to Ohio State, then beat Indiana State 41-7. Next up came a 21-14 loss to a very good Louisville team, then a tense 29-27 OT win versus Akron. Indiana’s Cam Camper caught four balls for 103 yards and a score in that one.
Game five versus Maryland was another tough matchup for the Hoosiers, and another big loss. Indiana was down 37-3 going into the fourth quarter and ultimately fell 44-17. Quarterback Tayven Jackson finished with 113 yards and an interception, while Christian Turner led the rush with 61 yards on 15 carries. Donaven McCulley added six catches for 79 yards and a score.
Indiana Hoosiers Team Facts
Indiana has lost each of its last 10 games against AP-ranked teams.
Indiana has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight road games.
Indiana has lost the first half in five of its last six games against conference opponents.
Each of Indiana’s last four games at Michigan Stadium have gone UNDER the total points line.
Michigan Wolverines
Over on the Michigan side, they got off to a nice start this year. The Wolverines blew past East Carolina 30-3 in the opener then beat UNLV 35-7 and Bowling Green 31-6. Next came a 31-7 win over Rutgers and a 45-7 blowout versus Nebraska. Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy posted 156 yards and two touchdowns in the win over the Cornhuskers.
Matched up against Minnesota in their last outing, the Wolverines were up 24-10 going into the third quarter (where they scored 21 unanswered points) and cruised to a win 52-10. McCarthy posted 219 yards with a TD, and Cornelius Johnson hauled in three passes for 86 yards. Blake Corum was tops in rushing on 69 yards and a score from nine totes.
Michigan Wolverines Team Facts
Michigan has won each of its last 26 games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Michigan has failed to cover the spread in each of its last six games at Michigan Stadium.
Michigan has won the first half in each of its last 10 games against conference opponents at Michigan Stadium.
Each of Michigan’s last eight games against non-AP-ranked teams at Michigan Stadium have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
Michigan ranked 1st among FBS teams for Q4 points per game last season (12.9).
Michigan ranked 1st among FBS teams for H2 points per game last season (22.8).
Indiana was one of only six FBS teams to win 3+ games when trailing after Q3 last season.
Indiana was one of only 14 FBS teams to lose 3+ games when leading at HT last season.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll stay with Michigan in this one. With the line so thick however, I can envision taking Indiana on principle. In any case, the Wolverines made quick work of Minnesota in their last outing, cruising to 432 yards (241 passing), 7.7 yards per play, zero turnovers and just one penalty along the way. Michigan held the Gophers to just 169 yards (117 rushing) on the other side. That makes 10 or fewer points allowed in all six games so far this year; the Wolverines defense is legit, and the team should keep rolling easy over the next three games at least. (A road game versus Penn State is looming on November 11; that one should be a great matchup.)
As for Indiana, they’ve had some extra time to get ready for this one, and they’ve needed the preparation. The Hoosiers posted 321 total yards versus Maryland (205 passing) with 20 first downs and just four penalties. That said, Indiana went just 5-of-17 on third downs and allowed 472 yards (352 passing) on the other side. I like the Hoosiers to look slightly better here but I don’t think they’ll get close.
