Predictions
PETE FIUTAK
Overview: Indiana will be plucky, and it’ll take a few quarters before the Wolverines can take over and put this away, but the defense will clamp down in the second half.
Chalk it up to looking ahead to Ohio State, but the Wolverines won’t be razor-sharp for about 20 minutes, and then that’s it. Indiana is 7-0 when scoring 34 points or more, and 0-3 when it doesn’t. Michigan isn’t giving up 35 points.
Player of the game for Michigan: Shea Patterson
Three bold predictions:
1. Michigan win. That’s not that wacky and bold a prediction, but this isn’t the game that Jim Harbaugh loses. He loses the Ohio State games, and he might lose to the elite of the elite, but his teams don’t lose to the Indianas of the world.
2. Penn State will get blown away by Ohio State. All of a sudden, a door will be open to a possible New Year’s Six bowl game for the Wolverines. There will be a little bit of chatter that if Michigan wins next week, one of the big bowls will be on the table.
3. Indiana will have one big run, and that’s it. The ground game won’t hit 50 yards.
Final score prediction: Michigan 34, Indiana 24
Brandon Knapp
Overview: The offense will still have some fire left in them as the passing game will get back to where they left off last week. The running game will need to improve from last week and against the 18th ranked defense it’s easier said than done.
The defense will have some troubles with quarterback Peyton Ramsey at first, but figure out his play style after the first quarter. They will be tested, but the bend don’t break style will continue to dominate in Indiana.
Player of the game for Michigan: Nico Collins
Three bold predictions:
1. Shea Patterson throws for 300 yards again.
2. Nico Collins gets 3 passing touchdowns.
3. Michigan holds Indiana to 200 yards.
Final score prediction: Michigan 31 – Indiana 21
Matthew Lounsberry
Overview: Michigan seems to always get Indiana’s best shot. The Hoosiers haven’t beaten the Wolverine since 1987, but they come close to ending that drought in each of the last four years.
The closest yet came in the 2017 and 2015 seasons, when Michigan traveled to Bloomington and needed overtime to survive both trips. The Wolverines make the trip again in 2019, against perhaps the best Hoosier team of the last two decades.
I expect Michigan will win, but look for Indiana to do what it often does — give the Wolverines a real scare.
Player of the game for Michigan: Hassan Haskins
Three bold predictions:
1. Haskins eclipses 100 yards rushing and scores two touchdowns.
2. Ambry Thomas records his 4th interception of the year
3. Michigan trails at halftime.
Final score prediction: Michigan 27 – Indiana 20
Isaiah Hole
Overview: This is one of those games that everyone’s had their eye on for some time. The Hoosiers are 7-3, and always give Michigan all it can handle every time they play. They just took Penn State to the brink. I had this game circled over the summer.
It hasn’t seemed to matter much if it’s Michael Penix Jr. (who’s out for the season with injury) at quarterback or Peyton Ramsey, but in my mind, it matters. Indiana has the best passing offense in the conference, but they can’t run the ball. Going 31-for-41 and 371 yards at Penn State is worrisome, but unless Tom Allen pulls another rabbit out his hat like he did last year, I don’t anticipate IU to be able to accumulate that much offense.
Like always, I do think the Hoosiers will give Michigan fits. But, the Wolverines are rolling right now, and know they can’t look past this team en route to Ohio State — thanks to both the past and Indiana’s current record.
Unlike in some other affairs — namely, pretty much any one that these teams have played in recent memory — this game is tight for awhile, but Michigan pulls away, with a dynamic, versatile offense and a defense to match.
Player of the game for Michigan: Ambry Thomas
Five bold predictions:
1. Indiana comes out guns ablazing, gets a two-score lead, before Michigan quickly reverses course.
2. The Hoosiers’ pass offense looks amazing for the first half, but does little after that.
3. Zach Charbonnet and Hassan Haskins each get over 100 yards rushing (again).
4. We see more Giles Jackson on offense.
5. Ronnie Bell finally gets a touchdown.
Final score prediction: Michigan 35 – Indiana 17