GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Michigan has been able to keep the Indiana running attack in check in the past, holding the Hoosiers to 80 yards on 29 carries last season. Hoosiers coach Tom Allen said establishing a deep threat in the passing game might keep the Wolverines from overloading the box. “Part of our objective was to throw the ball down the field, to be able to take pressure off the run game for us, and then to be able to not load it or overwhelm you or have that extra hat there that you can’t block because of the structure that they had defensively,” Allen said. “We know we needed to, and we’ve made it a priority to do that. Really was effective on Saturday (against Maryland). Needs to be again. I think that’s just part of what we want to do.” It won’t be an easy task. The Wolverines are No. 1 nationally in pass defense, holding opponents to 116 yards per game. Michigan is 13th nationally against the run, allowing 103.8 yards per game.
DRAFT SLANT
–S Jonathan Crawford, on the Senior Bowl watch list, has started every game in his four-year career. He has 55 tackles, including 40 solos, a sack, three tackles for a loss, an interception and a forced fumble.
ROSTER REPORT
–QB Michael Penix Jr. completed 9-of-19 passes for 94 yards against Penn State before suffering a season-ending ACL tear. It was Penix’s third game of the season.
–WR Whop Philyor, who missed most of three games earlier this season, was injured again against Maryland. He has 23 catches for 235 yards. His status is questionable.
–DT Jacob Robinson, a senior and veteran presence on the defensive line, returned to action against Maryland after missing his sixth consecutive game with lower leg injury. His status is questionable.
–LB Reakwon Jones, redshirt junior, missed the game against Maryland with an undisclosed injury. His status is questionable.
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