by Chuck Sommers
Wednesday, Nov 03, 2021
Game time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
Where to watch: FOX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Michigan -19
BetMGM: Michigan -19.5
Caesars: Michigan -20
Season record
Indiana: 2-6 (0-5 Big Ten)
No. 7 Michigan: 7-1 (4-1 Big Ten)
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Indiana - Michigan preview and analysis
Last week
Indiana: lost 38-35 at Maryland on Saturday
Michigan: lost 37-33 at Michigan State on Saturday
The Michigan Wolverines will look to bounce back after their first loss of the season when they host the struggling Indiana Hoosiers in Ann Arbor on Saturday.
Michigan’s run for what could’ve been the best season in the Jim Harbaugh era came to a screeching halt against presumptive Heisman favorite Kenneth Walker III and the Michigan State Spartans, losing by four points in East Lansing last week.
The Wolverines held a 30-14 lead with 6:47 left in the third quarter thanks to two touchdown passes from quarterback Cade McNamara. Then things unraveled in the final 21 minutes by way of Walker. Three touchdown runs, two consisting of 23 and 58 yards, from Walker capped off the MSU comeback.
The path through the Big Ten runs through East Lansing, but Michigan’s chances of playing in a New Year’s Six Bowl are still alive and can be had if the Wolverines defeat the Ohio State Buckeyes toward the end of the year. Michigan accumulated 552 total yards in 34:50 of time of possession. Most opponents this year would get ran out the building with those types of numbers.
"This one stings," McNamara said. "We have to respond. Our backs are against the wall now."
Michigan is No. 7 in the first College Football Playoff rankings unveiled on Tuesday with Michigan State at No. 3 and Ohio State at No. 5. The Wolverines can still cause some chaos at the top, starting with this week’s matchup against a Hoosiers team where Michigan is as high as 20-point favorites.
Indiana has plenty of reason to feel like it succeeded a great deal last week, down three quarterbacks and only losing by three to the Maryland Terrapins. Donaven McCulley threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns to go with no interceptions.
The Hoosiers rallied from down 15 in the fourth quarter to make it a one-score game, but couldn’t get that last opportunity to make something happen.
Leading rusher Stephen Carr ran for 136 yards and two touchdowns, including a 66-yard score early in the third quarter.
"Had a chance after we took the lead on that big run by Stephen, and two straight scoring drives just killed us," Indiana coach Tom Allen said. "The kids didn't quit, they kept fighting. We needed to get one more stop, and we didn't get any takeaways."
While last week is going to look good in the moral victory category, Indiana rallied against a Maryland team that has been underwhelming in expectations. Last week’s game says more about how bad and fraudulent Maryland has been than what Indiana did.
Watching them go against Michigan on the road is going to be an egregious game.
Prediction
Michigan should be lucky it didn’t fall farther than No. 7 in the CFP rankings. There’s still time for them to make some noise, even if it doesn’t mean a Big Ten championship appearance. Finish strong with a one-loss campaign, and they’re in line for the best season ever under Harbaugh. First thing’s first: An easy win against the rival from Bloomington where another output from the Michigan offense will make work easy against an Indiana defense that gave up 38 last week. Michigan by 28
Betting trends
Indiana is 6-0 ATS in the past three seasons after allowing 475 total yards or more in the previous game.
Indiana is 6-1 ATS the past three seasons in the final few weeks of the regular season.
Michigan is 4-1 ATS as a home favorite this season.
Statistical leaders
Indiana:
Passing: Michael Penix Jr. -- 939 yards, 4 TD, 7 INT
Rushing: Stephen Carr -- 588 yards, 6 TD
Receiving: Peyton Hendershot -- 447 yards, 4 TD
Defense: Micah McFadden -- 50 tackles, 5.5 sacks
Michigan:
Passing: Cade McNamara -- 1,498 yards, 7 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Blake Corum -- 774 yards, 10 TD
Receiving: Cornelious Johnson -- 348 yards, 3 TD
Defense: David Ojabo -- 7 sacks
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
