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After beating their rival Michigan State 44-10 at home last week, Michigan had the task of taking on Indiana before Ohio State once again this year. Michigan’s biggest challenge was to not overlook the Hoosiers and they didn’t. They let them have their all and won the game 39-14.
Quarterback Shea Patterson had another phenomenal game as he is heating up at exactly the right time of the year as the Wolverines prepare to take on Ohio State next week. The defense suffered some cuts early on, but wounded those cuts later in the game and shut down Indiana’s offense.
Check out what I found when rewatching the win over Indiana.
OFFENSE
- In the first quarter on Michigan’s second offensive possession of the game, wide receiver Ronnie Bell was clearly interfered with on a passing play before the football got there. He was hit mid-air, changing his direction and helped force an incomplete pass. Huge missed call by the refs as it would help Indiana force Michigan to punt the football on that drive.
- On running back Zach Charbonnet’s big 22-yard run in the second quarter, it doesn’t happen if tight end Nick Eubanks doesn’t get his block down. He didn’t just block the defender, he blocked him and pushed him out of the way of the running lane so the defender couldn’t possibly make a play if he got free.
- That touchdown catch by wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones is still a beauty to watch a second time. The throw by Patterson was a dime as well. A great play overall.
- In the second quarter on third and five, Patterson threw an incomplete pass to Bell who caught the football but couldn’t get a foot in. Patterson was locked on him the entire way through and if he just looks left, he has Charbonnet wide open for an easy first down and more. Patterson has to look for other players if his main option isn’t there.
- I like the offense lining up wide receiver Giles Jackson in different ways. At wide receiver, at running back, and he comes in on a sweep for a handoff or a fake. He is a threat to opposing defenses that his presence alone changes up the play call by the defense.
- Once again the wildcat formation is called at a poor time. On fourth and one, on Indiana’s 16-yard line and only up by seven. It got the first down, but that scenario is once again not one where I try it out.
- The second wildcat attempt is a better one, as Michigan is up 32-14 with 2:58 to go in the third quarter and they are near midfield. I don’t get why you’d take out your hot quarterback, but at least you have a solid lead and are in good field position where if it doesn’t work out you can pin the opponent deep on a punt next play.
- Patterson’s worst throw of the day was the interception as he was off-balanced and threw it to a covered receiver. Luckily it was late in the fourth quarter and Michigan was already up by 25. Nothing worth worrying about for him.