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Following a 21-18 victory over Penn State, Michigan is back at the Big House to host Indiana. The Hoosiers are coming off their first loss since the 2025 season—a game many felt they should have won. Quarterback Josh Hoover targeted wide receiver Nick Marsh near the left side of the end zone, but Marsh's footwork was off, and the result was an Ohio State win. Indiana will arrive in Ann Arbor with a chip on its shoulder, and head coach Curt Cignetti will be eager to get his team back on track.
Here are three keys for a Wolverines upset over the Hoosiers.
Get Tommy Carr Comfortable Early
This isn't how Michigan wanted to throw its true freshman into the fire, but the Wolverines have no other choice. While Kyle Whittingham has been coy about who will start at quarterback, it's been reported that Tommy Carr will take the first snaps against Indiana. Carr provided an instant spark for Michigan's offense last week against Penn State when he entered the game. He completed his first pass to JJ Buchanan and led the Wolverines to three touchdowns. But that was against the Nittany Lions, and this week he faces one of the best defenses in college football.
Indiana leads the Big Ten with 24 sacks and boasts the conference's top-ranked rushing defense. The Hoosiers are more vulnerable through the air, ranking No. 8 in passing defense. Points could be hard to come by, and Michigan needs to make the most of Carr's opportunity. Calling quick, easy passes to get him into a rhythm feels important. Michigan hopes to get its run game rolling as it did in the second half last week, but it might be on Carr's shoulders to set up the run.
Force Field Goals
Surprisingly, after throwing double-digit interceptions in each of the last two seasons, quarterback Josh Hoover has yet to throw a pick for the Hoosiers. He has 18 touchdown passes to zero interceptions, and that's allowed Indiana to move the ball. Oh, and the Hoosiers also have the No. 2 run offense in the Big Ten. Needless to say, the Hoosiers are going to move the ball this weekend.
Penn State did it against Michigan last weekend, and the Wolverines' defense bent several times but never truly broke. That needs to be the case again this weekend. Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh are going to get yards, and IU's offensive line will likely open up some holes. But Michigan can't get into a track race with Indiana. The Wolverines need to hold Indiana to field goals when they do drive the field. This season, IU has only scored 88% of the time in the red zone, which indicates missed kicks or turnovers. The Hoosiers have 24 touchdowns and four made field goals. Michigan might bend, but not breaking will be the key.
Need Six-Plus Explosive Plays
Michigan has just 13 passes over 20 yards this season, and the Wolverines have just 19 runs of over 10 yards. If Michigan is going to have success against Indiana, explosives are needed, especially to help out a young freshman. Again, Indiana's passing defense has been exploitable this season. Indiana ranks No. 12 in the Big Ten, allowing 19 explosive passes through the air this year. The Hoosiers have been much tighter against the run, but Michigan has a chance to get Andrew Marsh and JJ Buchanan in one-on-one situations and allow Carr to sling the ball.
The likely outcome is going to be defensive coordinator Bryant Haines stacking the box against Michigan early on. Haines will want Carr to show he can beat the Hoosiers through the air, and Indiana has already been stout against the run. A few explosive plays will back the Hoosiers out of the box, which then could allow Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter to have some explosives on the ground.