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Coming off the big 44-10 win over Michigan State, the big challenge headed into this week was Indiana. While Indiana was the main focus, another talking point was to see if Michigan could focus on the Hoosiers without looking ahead to Ohio State as they play them next week. The two teams traded blows to start the game out, but Michigan would gain the lead before halftime and never looked back, winning 39-14.
The offense was able to pass all over the Indiana defense as again the running game played second fiddle in the offense. The defense took some time to figure out Indiana’s offense, but they were able to shut their attack down and make it difficult for them to score more than twice.
Check out my five takeaways from the 39-14 win over Indiana.
1. Michigan’s passing game had its way today
Last week, Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson had his best game ever at Michigan as he threw for over 300 yards and four touchdowns. This week, Patterson had another good game in the air, going 20/32 for 366 yards with five touchdowns, and an interception. He had a lot of time in the pocket for most of the game, and when he faced pressure he was able to escape it most of the time and keep the play alive.
You can just tell that Patterson is more comfortable in the offense than he was earlier this season. He trusts his receivers to make plays, his offensive lineman to block, and his running backs to get yards on the ground. He is making throws he wasn’t earlier this year and slinging the ball further down the field.
2. Running isn’t the main goal anymore
Speaking of the offense, the old-time Michigan offense that was known for running the rock, getting the yards on the ground and grinding for first downs, seems to have gotten a shakeup. Michigan threw the ball more than running the ball and while that’s happened many times before, it feels different these past few weeks.
Michigan is turning away from a run-first attack and more of a pass-first attack. We’ve seen less read-option plays by the offense and fewer runs up the middle by the running backs. With those decreasing, we’ve seen an increase in passing the ball deep and making big chunk plays.
Michigan’s offense has adapted and is changing with the times. It seems that the days of the ground and pound offense are behind them, and they will attack through the air and fake you out with different RPO plays. Nine different receivers caught a pass today as multiple people were used in the passing attack, led by wide receiver Nico Collins who had six catches for 165 yards and three touchdowns.
3. Poor PEnalties returned
Michigan had some early penalty issues against Michigan State last week, but they were corrected as the game progressed. This week, Michigan had more penalty problems as they had five penalties in the first half, six overall for 49 yards. The penalties helped Indiana out early on and helped them move down the field, and stopped Michigan on one drive.
Get rid of the penalties, Michigan might stop Indiana from scoring on one of the two drives. Those drives kept Indiana in the game until the second quarter when Michigan got the lead for the first time. If those penalties kept Indiana in the game, they will keep Ohio State in the game next week. Those need to get cleaned up and fast.
4. Giles Jackson getting more involved
The Michigan offense has evolved as the season has progressed and more players have gotten involved as it’s grown. First, it was running back Hassan Haskins, then it was wide receiver Ronnie Bell, now it’s wide receiver Giles Jackson. To start the season, Jackson was mostly a kick returner and was used as a receiver late in games that Michigan already had a grip on the lead.
The past few weeks though we’ve seen him more involved with the offense on jet sweeps, option plays, and passing plays. Today Jackson saw a different spot as he was lined up as a running back next to Patterson, he ran a wheel route and caught a 50-yard pass. He is getting used in different ways on this offense and is a weapon wherever he is.
Having someone fast like Jackson used in different ways is helpful to shake up the offense as he can be used in multiple ways and can be a distraction to the defenses they go up against. His versatility can be dangerous for opposing defenses and something Ohio State will need to watch out for.
5. Michigan didn’t overlook Indiana
Speaking of Ohio State, Michigan didn’t look through Indiana and had their attention on Ohio State. Michigan treated Indiana like they should have, an opponent that can be dangerous. Michigan did have some mistakes as every game there are some, but they weren’t because they were surprised by Indiana.
The past four years Michigan has had close games against Indiana, winning all four games by less than 14 points, once in overtime and the other in double overtime. Michigan knew Indiana would put up a fight and wouldn’t let them think about Ohio State yet. Michigan had their sights set on beating the Hoosiers and they did just that.
The offense had a solid performance as the defense struggled at first, but was able to figure things out after the first half. Michigan wanted to beat Indiana and they did just that, beat Indiana. Now that the goal of the week has been completed, it’s onto Ohio State next week.