First Look: Indiana Heads to Michigan Facing Another Physical Big Ten Test

Indiana heads to Michigan with an opportunity to show how it responds to adversity. The Hoosiers are 6–1 following a 19–15 loss to Ohio State that ended their 22-game winning streak. Now comes another physical Big Ten test: a road matchup with Michigan.

The question isn’t whether Indiana can compete with a high-level opponent. Its defense answered that against Ohio State. The question is whether the offense can make the adjustments necessary to finish drives, generate a consistent rushing attack and avoid putting the entire burden on quarterback Josh Hoover.

First Look: Michigan’s Identity

Michigan remains a program built around physical football, particularly at the line of scrimmage. The Wolverines have been inconsistent offensively, but their ability to challenge opponents defensively makes this a difficult road assignment. Michigan’s 21–18 victory over Penn State demonstrated its capacity to win a close, hard-fought conference game.

For Indiana, that means another week in which first-down efficiency, field position and execution in the red zone could determine the outcome. This isn’t a game where the Hoosiers should assume they can simply outscore their opponent.

The Biggest Concern: Indiana’s Interior Run Game

I’ve raised this concern for several weeks, and the Ohio State film only reinforced it: Indiana’s running game is heavily focused on attacking the A and B gaps to the right and left of the offensive line.

The PFF rushing-direction report from the Ohio State game recorded 26 rushing attempts for 81 yards, approximately 3.1 yards per attempt. Sixteen of those attempts were classified as middle-left, middle-right, left-guard or right-guard runs. Those classifications don’t identify the precise intended gap on every snap, but they do illustrate the offense’s interior emphasis.

There is an important schematic consideration here. I strongly suspect many of those normal-down interior runs are coupled with run-pass option concepts. An RPO can make an inside run more effective by placing a second-level defender in conflict. But when a defense can defend the interior run without giving up the attached throw, the offense needs complementary answers.

That’s where I want to see more variation from offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan: formations and motion that change defensive fits, more genuine perimeter threats, and selective use of gap schemes or misdirection to prevent defenders from squeezing inside.

Execution Matters, Too

Scheme is only part of the equation. Indiana must get more consistent run blocking. The PFF grades against Ohio State illustrated the difference between protecting the passer and moving defenders in the running game. Adedamola Ajani earned an 87.5 pass-blocking grade but a 47.3 run-blocking grade. That contrast deserves film study, not an assumption that every failed run was the fault of one lineman.

Offensive football is collective. The line, tight ends, backs, quarterback and play caller all share responsibility for creating efficient runs. Michigan will test whether Indiana has addressed those issues.

Josh Hoover Must Improve His Reads and Decision-Making

Hoover threw for 296 yards against Ohio State, but Indiana’s offense struggled to finish opportunities. That doesn’t mean the quarterback deserves all the blame. It does mean he must be held accountable for his own execution. Against Michigan, Hoover has to be better with his reads, his timing and his decisions.

It begins before the snap. Hoover must recognize the defensive front, count the box, identify coverage leverage and anticipate where pressure may come from. Those indicators help establish the offense’s answers, but the picture can change after the ball is snapped.

That is especially important if, as I suspect, Indiana’s normal-down inside runs are frequently paired with RPO concepts. Hoover must correctly identify the designated conflict defender and make the run-or-pass decision within the timing of the play. He cannot predetermine the throw or handoff regardless of the defensive reaction. We need the film to determine precisely which Ohio State snaps were true post-snap RPOs and which involved pre-snap access decisions.

On dropback passes, Hoover must work through his progression with discipline, recognize when the first read is covered, and deliver on time to the next available option. Taking an underneath completion, checking the ball down or moving on to the next read can be more valuable than waiting for an explosive play that never develops.

The quarterback does not have to make every play, but he must consistently make the correct play. Better run blocking and more creative play design would help him. Neither removes his responsibility to process the defense, protect the football and execute the offense. Indiana needs improvement from its coordinator, offensive line and quarterback together.

Michigan’s Quarterback Change: Indiana Must Prepare for Tommy Carr and Bryce Underwood

One of the most important developments entering this matchup is Michigan’s quarterback situation. Head coach Kyle Whittingham replaced Bryce Underwood with true freshman Tommy Carr at halftime against Penn State after the Wolverines failed to score in the first half. Carr gave Michigan a spark, directing three second-half touchdown drives in a 21–18 victory.

Carr completed five of seven passes for 47 yards and rushed for 36 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown run. His mobility was particularly important: he also converted a key opportunity with a 22-yard quarterback draw. Reports entering Indiana week indicate Carr is expected to start, but the Hoosiers cannot assume Underwood will remain on the sideline.

From a defensive preparation standpoint, Bryant Haines and his staff must build a plan for both quarterbacks. Carr’s ability to create with his legs requires disciplined rush lanes, sound edge containment and linebackers who account for the quarterback as a runner. Indiana has already seen how damaging quarterback runs can become when defensive fits break down.

Underwood presents a different preparation challenge, with his arm talent and the experience he has accumulated as Michigan’s starter. Indiana needs to study how Michigan’s play selection, formations and passing concepts may change depending on which quarterback is on the field. The objective is not to build two entirely separate defenses, but to establish a sound base plan with clear adjustments for each quarterback’s strengths.

Coach Griff’s early defensive emphasis: Stop the designed run, keep the quarterback contained, force the ball out on schedule and tackle well in space. Whether it’s Carr or Underwood, Michigan cannot be allowed to manufacture explosive plays through quarterback movement or broken defensive assignments.

Indiana’s Defense Can Set the Tone

Indiana’s defensive effort against Ohio State was good enough to give the Hoosiers a chance to win. That unit needs to carry the same physicality and discipline into Ann Arbor.

Against a Michigan offense that has been inconsistent, the priorities are straightforward: control early downs, limit explosive plays, tackle cleanly and force long-yardage situations. Indiana cannot afford to allow field position or missed tackles to undo solid defensive series.

Coach Griff’s Early Keys to the Game

• Run with purpose: Improve execution inside while giving Michigan a reason to defend the perimeter.
• Win first down: Avoid putting Hoover in predictable passing situations.
• Finish drives: Turn scoring opportunities into touchdowns instead of leaving points on the field.
• Protect field position: Eliminate the special-teams mistakes that become decisive in close games.
• Respond with discipline: Don’t let the Ohio State loss become a second loss through frustration or pressing.

Coach Griff’s Final Word

One loss doesn’t define this Indiana football team. But the response to that loss will tell us plenty about its championship aspirations.

Michigan presents another test of toughness and execution. Indiana doesn’t need to abandon its offensive identity. It needs to expand that identity, improve its blocking and force defenses to defend the entire width of the field.

Fast, Physical & Relentless.

Coach Griff is a former college football coach with 28 years of coaching experience, including service as a head coach and on the NCAA Division III national ranking committee.