Indiana Football: Staff Predictions – Michigan
By Kyle Grand
In the lead up to Indiana vs. Michigan, the Hoosier State of Mind staff answered questions about the game and offered their predictions.
Question: Indiana is still alive for a bowl game. Chances they are able to make it to six wins?
Kyle Grand: I’ll say 15%. Despite having Diamont at QB, there are still three winnable games left this season (Michigan, Penn State, Purdue). It’s a long shot, but if Diamont and the defense can be at the very least decent, IU has a chance.
Jessica Hunt: The Hoosiers stand at 3-4 with five games left in the season. To be bowl eligible, the Hoosiers would need to go 3-2 in those matches, which includes road games at Michigan, Rutgers, and Ohio State and home contests against Purdue and Penn State. I would say the Hoosiers will win two of those contests, Michigan and Ohio State. I kid, but I think the Hoosiers will ultimately finish 5-7. That said, stranger things have happened, and a turnover or a missed field goal could propel the Hoosiers to a 6-6 record. I don’t think it is going to happen, but I’m not going to be surprised if it does.
Will Logan: Ask me after this week. Not so we can see if Michigan is a win or not, but so we can see if the offense will be semi-respectable. Michigan, Purdue and at home against Penn State are all doable.
Q: What do the Hoosiers need from Diamont to be competitive?
Grand: Complete a little more than 50% of his passes and not turn the ball over. Diamont doesn’t have to be Sudfeld, but he can’t play like he did against Michigan State (5-of-15). He has to stand in the pocket and get the ball to his receivers at least some of the time. He can lean heavily on Tevin Coleman, but if IU is to win any of its remaining games, Diamont has to take charge and make some throws.
Hunt: That’s a pretty tall order considering Diamont is a true freshman that was most likely going to be redshirted. Their best chances include good play by those around Diamont—good protection at the O-line level and the ability to mix up the offense with Coleman’s continued dominance and some solid play out of the receiving corps. If the play around Diamont is good, the team may be able to be competitive with average play out of Diamont, however, some completions this week would be a nice.
Logan: Predictability. Zander seems to be a bit of a loose canon at times and his decision making is an even bigger concern than his accuracy. Protect the ball and don’t actively hurt the team.
Q: The game’s key matchup is?
Grand: IU’s defensive line vs. Michigan’s Offensive line. The Hoosiers are at their best when they get after the opposing QB (Missouri, North Texas). When quarterbacks can sit in the pocket, IU’s defense gets absolutely torched. Michigan’s Devin Gardner hasn’t been great this season, but that doesn’t mean IU can give him all day to throw. Pressure, pressure and more pressure is needed.
Hunt: I happen to believe these teams are pretty evenly matched. Oh how the mighty have fallen! This should become a game of wills, where the winner of this game will be determined by the team with the most tenacity and grit. Michigan has a fairly competent rush defense, allowing around 109 yards a game, thus, the more successful of the Tevin Coleman-Michigan D-line match-up may find themselves on the winning side.
Logan: The Wolverine team vs. the fans. Things are beyond ugly in Ann Arbor. While playing at home in the Big House is usually a huge advantage, that won’t be true this week. If Indiana scores early, the fans will quickly turn against their own team and coach. It’s hard to stay motivated when your own fans are rooting against you.
Prediction
Grand: Michigan 24, Indiana 21. Diamont can’t play any worse than he did against MSU and the two weeks of practice should do wonders for him. Still, I don’t think he’s ready to go into the Big House and come out with a victory.
Hunt: Michigan 30, Indiana 27. This game will be closer than people think. Take the points and take the over.
Logan: Indiana 17 Michigan 13. Tevin Coleman is better than the entire Michigan offense. Literally.