The Hoosiers and the Wolverines square off at Noon EST, in Ann Arbor, Mich. The game, which is scheduled for telecast by ESPN2, will be the Big Ten Conference opener for both teams.
No. 23-ranked Michigan has already matched its victory total from last year's 3-9 campaign, defeating Western Michigan 31-7, Notre Dame 38-34 and Eastern Michigan 45-17. The Wolverines have yet to play away from home, as Saturday's matchup will mark the fourth of eight home games for Michigan this season.
Yet while the early-season schedule hasn't been tremendously difficult for coach Rich Rodriguez's team, it's been tougher than that of Indiana. And the Hoosiers have had more trouble putting opponents away.
Coach Bill Lynch's team prevailed 19-13 over Eastern Kentucky, won 23-19 over a Western Michigan squad that the Wolverines handled easily, then defeated Akron 38-21 last week.
If the odds aren't stacked high enough against Indiana, history certainly is. The Hoosiers are 9-50 all-time against Michigan. The Wolverines own a 15-game winning streak in the series, and have defeated Hoosiers 30 times in the last 31 games. The last meeting ended in a 31-3 Michigan victory in 2006.
Indiana's last win over Michigan was a 14-10 decision in 1987, and the Hoosiers haven't won at Ann Arbor since a 27-20 triumph in 1967.
But the Hoosiers are hopeful that they're turning the corner. Like Michigan, they've already equaled their win total from a 3-9 season in 2008.
Hoosiers Packing ‘Pistol’ Offense
Indiana installed the “pistol” offense during the offseason in an effort to energize the ground game. The pistol, created by Nevada coach Chris Ault, is a modified version of the shotgun in which the quarterback takes the snap from approximately three yards behind the center. A single back lines up about a yard behind the QB.
The pistol has helped the Hoosiers improve drastically in short-yardage situations. They were just 22-for-40 on third-and-short situations last year, but are 11-for-14 in 2009.
On the whole, Indiana’s ground game hasn’t been overpowering, averaging just 146.7 yards per game. The Hoosiers, though, are passing for 228.7 yards per game and averaging a healthy 375.3 yards of total offense
Sophomore Receivers Are Top Targets for IU
Quarterback Ben Chappell has been efficient at the controls, completing 63 of 92 passes for 674 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions
Two sophomore receivers have been his leading targets. Six-foot-3 Tandon Doss has 21 catches for 270 yards, and Damario Belcher has 16 catches for 183 yards and a TD. Mitchell Evans and Terrance Turner each have nine receptions and a touchdown for Indiana.
Demetrius McCray has spearheaded the Indiana rushing attack, with 42 carries for 228 yards and a touchdown. Trea Burgess, a 6-1, 231-pound junior, is a solid short-yardage option and has run for two TDs.
The Hoosiers also have a lethal return man in Ray Fisher, who’s averaging 39 yards on four kickoff runbacks. He took the opening kickoff vs. Akron 91 yards for a touchdown.
Indiana Defense Appling Heavy Pressure
Fisher is also a starting cornerback for the Hoosiers, whose defense is allowing 312.3 yards per game. Indiana’s giving up just 76 yards on the ground, and 236.3 through the air.
But Indiana’s made opponents pay the price for passing, averaging three sacks per game. The Hoosiers have also forced eight turnovers.
Defensive end Jammie Kirlew has been an imposing force, making 6.5 tackles for losses and 2.5 sacks among 11 total tackles.
Linebackers Tyler Replogle, Matt Mayberry and Will Patterson lead Indiana with 16 tackles apiece, with Replogle and Mayberry each recording two tackles for losses. Replogle also has s sack and an interception.
Fisher has 15 tackles, including 14 solo stops and a forced fumble. Safety Austin Thomas, continuing to rebound from an ACL injury, made two interceptions vs. Akron.
Michigan Piling Up Rushing Yards
Even with running back Brandon Minor bothered by ankle problems, Michigan is moving the ball steadily on the ground. The Wolverines are averaging 270.7 rushing yards per game.
Carlos Brown has churned out 238 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries. He had 187 last week vs. Eastern Michigan
Freshman quarterback Denard Robinson has gained 155 yards and three TDs on just 18 carries. And Minor, who missed all of the Western Michigan game and most of the Eastern Michigan game, has managed 127 yards on 19 carries and a TD.
Tate Forcier, Michigan’s passing quarterback, has run for 112 yards and a touchdown on 30 attempts. In the aerial department, the freshman is 43-for-66 for 487 yards and five TDs and one interception. Robinson is just 2-for-8 for 18 yards, and has been intercepted twice.
Greg Matthews and tight end Kevin Koger share the team lead at seven receptions apiece, with Mathews accounting for 86 yards and a touchdown, and Koger posting 70 yards and two scores. Junior Hemingway is the top yardage producer among the receivers, with six catches for 110 yards and two TD receptions.
Michigan is passing for 168.3 yards per contest, and gaining 439 yards of total offense a game. But the Wolverines have committed six turnovers, including three lost fumbles.
Wolverines Defense Steady
Michigan got diced up a bit by Notre Dame, but that was expected against a potent Notre Dame offense. The Wolverines had some rough moments early against Eastern last week, but pitched a second-half shutout and gave up just 285 yards.
For the season, the Wolverines are giving up 358.7 yards per game, with 123.7 coming on the ground and 235 in the air.
Linebackers Obi Ezeh and Stevie Brown are the top tacklers with 24 and 20, respectively. Cornerback Donovan Warren has 19 tackles, and safeties Mike Williams and Troy Woolfolk have 16 tackles each. Williams, like Minor, has been bothered by ankle problems.
Sophomore Mike Martin leads Michigan’s defensive linemen with 10 tackles, including a sack. Heralded defensive end Brandon Graham has eight tackles, three tackles for losses, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
