Michigan Football 2023 Opponent Preview: Indiana Hoosiers
Michigan (6-0) is back in Ann Arbor on Saturday after playing two complete, dominant performances on the road against Nebraska and Minnesota.
The Wolverines return to friendly confines and will host Indiana (2-3) for a noon kick. The Hoosiers are coming off of a bye week, but it wasn't an ordinary bye week for Indiana. Tom Allen canned offensive coordinator Walt Bell and promoted Rod Casey as the full-time OC in Bloomington.
Players were learning a little bit of a new offense while trying to get healthy, and preparing for undefeated Michigan. The Hoosiers are trying to get on track after falling to Maryland two weeks ago. IU has also lost to Ohio State and Louisville this year. The two wins for Indiana have come against Indiana State and Akron this season.
Michigan leads the all-time series with Indiana 61-10. The Wolverines are on a two-game win streak against the Hoosiers. The last time Indiana beat Michigan was during the COVID-19 2020 season.
Here are stats, PFF grades, and players to know before Saturday.
2023 stat comparison:
Scoring offense: Michigan (17th) 37.3 PPG -- Indiana (113th) 20.8 PPG
Scoring defense: Michigan (1st) 6.7 PPG -- Indiana (65th) 24.4 PPG
Passing offense: Michigan (73rd) 229.7 YPG -- Indiana (77th) 224 YPG
Passing defense: Michigan (2nd) 142.5 YPG -- Indiana (50th) 211.8 YPG
Rushing offense: Michigan (38th) 185.1 YPG -- Indiana (115th) 110.2 YPG
Rushing defense: Michigan (13th) 90.8 YPG -- Indiana (90th) 156.4 YPG
Total offense: Michigan (51st) 414.8 YPG -- Indiana (111th) 334.2 YPG
Total defense: Michigan (3rd) 233.3 YPG -- Indiana (67th) 368.2 YPG
Turnovers Lost: Michigan 5 -- Indiana 5
Sacks Allowed: Michigan 3 -- Indiana 8
Sacks: Michigan 14 -- Indiana 8
2023 PFF comparison:
Overall grade: Michigan (1st) 97.0 -- Indiana (71st) 81.1
Offense: Michigan (4th) 92.4 -- Indiana (81st) 70.0
Passing: Michigan (15th) 86.7 -- Indiana (51st) 73.0
Pass block: Michigan (27th) 75.0 -- Indiana (102nd) 55.2
Running: Michigan (36th) 83.4 -- Indiana (129th) 64.4
Run block: Michigan (3rd) 79.8 -- Indiana (66th) 62.0
Defense: Michigan (4th) 92.7 -- Indiana (73rd) 77.7
Run defense: Michigan (3rd) 91.6 -- Indiana (58th) 76.5
Pass rush: Michigan (4th) 83.9 -- Indiana (117th) 63.3
Coverage: Michigan (19th) 90.7 -- Indiana (54th) 83.0
Top Indiana players to know:
QB Tayven Jackson: There was a little QB competition at the beginning of the season between Tennessee transfer Tayven Jackson and Brendan Sorsby, and Jackson won the job. However, Jackson has been underwhelming for the Hoosiers. In five games he has thrown for 862 yards (61.7% completion rate) two touchdowns and three interceptions. He likes to stand in the pocket and hasn't fared well when there is a significant pass rush.
RB Jaylin Lucas: The sophomore back is a jack of all trades. He is the leading rusher -- while splitting time with former Michigan RB Christian Turner -- and he has run for 212 yards with two scores. But what makes Lucas so dynamic is his ability to return kicks. Lucas is the second-leading return man in the Big Ten averaging 22 yards per return. The Wolverines will need to know where he is on the field at all times.
WR Cam Camper: Camper was banged up and took this past week to try and get healthy and while his status is unknown for the weekend, Camper is someone who can make plays. Camper, a 6-foot-2 WR, was the leading receiver in 2022 for the Hoosiers, and through five games this season, he leads the team with 249 yards and a score. The big-bodied wideout can make plays.
LB Aaron Casey: Casey was the leading tackler for Indiana in 2022, and he is again this year. The senior linebacker has racked up 43 tackles in five games. To go along with that he is tied for the lead with six tackles for loss and two sacks.
DL Andre Carter: Carter was a big haul for Tom Allen via the transfer portal. He played four years at Western Michigan and the former Detroit product excelled in the MAC. This year, with the Hoosiers, Carter has made his presence known by totaling 20 tackles, six TFLs, and two sacks in five games.
DB Phillip Dunnam: Indiana may get thrown on a ton, but the sophomore Phillip Dunnam has been good for the Hoosiers. He has been good in space, tackling the ball carrier 35 times and he leads Indiana with three interceptions.
Michigan will host Indiana on Saturday at Noon ET. The game will be nationally televised on Fox.