The Michigan Wolverines kept their slim Big Ten and College Football Playoff hopes alive by surviving an upset bid from the Indiana Hoosiers. The Wolverines won 48-41 in double overtime Saturday Night, thanks to a red zone stand. The Wolverines are now 8-2, while the Hoosiers drop to 4-6.
Notes:
Michigan QB Jake Rudock had the best day of his career. He completed 33 of 46 passes for 440 yards and 6 touchdowns. Without Rudock, the Iowa transfer, Michigan doesn't survive the upset bid.
Michigan's normally stout run defense had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day against Indiana. The Wolverines were giving up just 80.6 yards per game, good for third in the NCAA, but IU RB Jordan Howard torched them. He racked up an incredible 238 yards and two TDs on 35 carries. Indiana ran the ball 17 straight times before throwing it on the last play of the game. Perhaps it should have gone to Howard instead.
Michigan WR Jehu Chesson posted quite the impressive game. He caught 10 passes for 207 yards and four TDs. He was Rudock's favorite target.
This was easily Michigan's worst defensive effort all season. The Wolverines hadn't allowed more than 27 points all season. Overtime inflates the numbers, but Michigan still struggled. The Wolverines will need to bounce back next week against Penn State.
Quotes:
"No more being close." - Indiana kick returner Mitchell Paige during the game.
"We learned we can stay in it. That was the biggest thing. A lot of credit to Indiana ... They came out fighting the whole way through." - Rudock on what Michigan learned from the game.
"It was nitty-gritty to the end. They went out and scored and we had to fight back. We're just really happy with the win." - Rudock.
Observations:
Michigan still needs a lot of help, but a Big Ten Title and College Football Playoff Berth is still a possibility. The Wolverines need Ohio State to beat Michigan State next week. The Wolverines then need to beat Penn State next weekend and defeat Ohio State at home to end the season. It's not an easy path, but it is possible. The defense will need to be better for Michigan to make their mini-miracle occur.
A win over Michigan would have been the biggest of the Kevin Wilson Era at Indiana. Instead, he likely needs to make a bowl game to have a chance at keeping his job. Indiana hasn't won a Big Ten game this season, but close the season with fellow bottom-feeders Maryland and Purdue.
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