Michigan - Indiana Preview

Time: 12:00
Location: Michigan Stadium
TV: ESPN 2
Line: Michigan - 20
Weather: Rain in the morning 66 degrees and cloudy at noon

Michigan is playing it's 4th home game in a row and have raced out to a 3-0 start. The young Wolverines are loving the "home cooking" and won't see a hostile environment until they hit the road for back to back games in East Lansing and Iowa City after this Saturday.

Both Michigan and IU enter Saturday's game with a 3-0 record where 4 out of the 6 wins have come against the MAC including wins for both teams against Western Michigan. Michigan is averaging 38 points a game and has scored an impressive 114 points in 3 games. (it took the 2008 Wolverines 6 games to score 113)

IU on the other hand is all about defense so far in 2009 and has the 15th ranked rushing defense in the nation. Of course, that came against the likes of Eastern Kentucky, Western Michigan, and Akron. Michigan has the 3rd ranked rushing offense in the country but that comes against the likes of Western, ND, and Eastern.

So what does this tell us? Not too much. IU hasn’t beaten a top 25 team on the road since 2003 and hasn’t beaten the Wolverines since 1987.

Michigan would like to continue to run the ball but also needs a better day throwing it. Michigan also has some concerns on the offensive line with it's center Molk out, a bunch of position changes and guys coming back from injuries.

Did I mentioned it's supposed to rain? Yikes!


Take some Advil if:

• Michigan still can't play in the rain


• If the Moose can't get the ball to Tate and Denard in the shotgun


• Michigan has trouble protecting Tate in the passing game


• Denard completes passes to the other team


• Michigan looks ahead to MSU and a night game against Iowa


• The Michigan defense needs half time adjustments again

Sing "Hail to the Victors" if:

• Shaw and Brown go over 100 yards each


• Tate throws for 200 yards with no picks


• We don't notice there are backups on the O line


• IU remembers it's IU


• Denard gets loose for a TD on the ground and in the air.


• The MASH unit doesn't get any new members

Michigan is clearly the better team favored by all most 3 touchdowns. Let's hope they play 4 full quarters and don't look ahead to the Spartans. I'm looking for an improved performance from the defense and a better passing game (completions and protection). Michigan 31 IU 13

GO BLUE!