No. 8 Indiana aims to maintain its perfect record and playoff aspirations against Michigan. This matchup is significant, as the Hoosiers are experiencing a historic season.
While the excitement around Bloomington is palpable, especially with basketball season approaching, the football team’s achievements cannot be overlooked. Indiana stands at 9-0, marking the first time in the program’s history they have reached this milestone. With a victory, they could secure their first-ever 10-win season.
Their conference record of 6-0 ties them for the Big Ten lead with top-ranked Oregon. The prospect of making the newly expanded 12-team playoff is within reach, a goal that seemed distant when first-year head coach Curt Cignetti shared his vision for the team’s potential.
West, a defensive lineman, emphasized the team’s consistent preparation. “There’s nothing (different), we prepare the same we do every week, every single week,” he stated after Indiana was placed at No. 8 in the first set of College Football Playoff rankings. “This is the biggest game because it’s the next game, and that’s how it is every week.”
Historically, facing Michigan (5-4, 3-3) has posed challenges for Indiana. However, this season, the dynamics have shifted.
Currently, the Hoosiers are ranked while the Wolverines are not. Indiana boasts the second-highest scoring offense in the nation, averaging 46.6 points per game, and ranks third in defensive performance, allowing just 261.0 yards per game. In contrast, Michigan has struggled offensively, sitting at 116th in scoring with only 21.0 points per game.
The Hoosiers will also enjoy the support of a sellout crowd for the third consecutive home game, with CBS broadcasting their matchup, highlighting their status as one of college football’s most surprising teams.
Smith, an offensive lineman, reiterated the team’s commitment to improvement. “Keep the standard, it never changes,” he remarked. “Every single week, we have to get better with each and every practice, stack those days and little by little, it gets a bit easier.”
The pressing question remains: Will this approach be effective against the Wolverines?
Cignetti, who has a history of success with no losing seasons in 14 years as a head coach and experience as Nick Saban’s recruiting coordinator at Alabama, remains confident. He believes his accomplishments, along with those of his late father, a Hall of Fame coach, validate his methods.
“The only thing that really matters is you get the result when you play, and to do that you’ve got to keep the main thing the main thing and eliminate the noise and the clutter,” Cignetti explained. “Every week presents its own new set of circumstances, and so there’s a lot of that going on this week. I’m aware of it. But to get kind of caught up on that and lose your focus would be the kiss of death.”
Tip of the Cap
Indiana’s transformation has certainly caught the attention of Michigan coach Sherrone Moore.
“He’s done an unbelievable job,” Moore remarked. “They did a really good job of bringing in the right guy.”
Low Stakes
Moore has made it clear that Michigan is focused on achieving that sixth win.
“We’ve got to get it,” he stated. “The record is not where we want to be, but I love watching the fight. In the second half of that [Oregon] game, a lot of teams would’ve laid down.”
High Road
Moore defended offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell, who called a trick play on fourth-and-5 from the Oregon 10 while Michigan was poised to close the gap.
Receiver Semaj Morgan failed to connect with backup quarterback Alex Orji, leading to a 38-17 loss for the Wolverines.
“We’ve got to be better as a whole group,” Moore concluded. “It’s not just him.”
