2019 Michigan Gameday #11: at Indiana

There isn't really much to dislike about Indiana, aside from the smell coming from the city of Gary when you're within 25 miles of it, or the existence of Mike Pence.  Parks and Recreation was set there, and it's where you can find Bloomington, home of the Hoosiers.

The football team there has rarely been relevant enough to discuss except in the occasional spoiler role, but this season they've done pretty well for themselves in getting to 7-3 with an understandable loss to OSU, a close defeat in Happy Valley last week, and the dubious honor of being the most recent victim of a Michigan State victory...about two months ago.

Speaking of the Spartans, they're still searching for their dignity after getting absolutely pantsed last weekend, showing little fight--except for the literal variety after the whistle--in a 44-10 drubbing.  Michigan did just about everything you could ask for as Jim Harbaugh's team continued to display the execution and swagger that's necessary this deep into the season.

They'll need that to continue this afternoon for a 3:30 matchup in Bloomington.  Despite the ugly record above, Indiana has often pushed the Wolverines to the brink, somehow finding a way to play their best game of the season when this game rolls around.  Sure, Michigan hasn't lost in this series since 1987 (and before that, 1967) but there's been some close ones, and a few instant classics.

Who could forget Wangler-to-Carter in '79, setting off a Bob Ufer celebration for the ages?  Or the close call 10 years ago that saw Rich Rodriguez's team escape with a 36-33 win by the skin of their teeth?  Even Jim Harbaugh joined the part in his first season as head coach with an insane 48-41 2OT finish in 2015 that included a last-second FG by the Wolverines to get to the extra period.

As for this afternoon, I'm hoping for more of the same team from this season since halftime of the Penn State game, which has outscored its opponents 107-38.  Maybe the offense could resemble the one from the 2013 game, in which QB Devin Gardner, RB Fitz Toussaint, and WR Jeremy Gallon hung 63 on Indiana--though the defense should look elsewhere for inspiration instead of allowing Indiana 47 points.  I absolutely believe Michigan isn't overlooking Indiana with The Game looming next weekend, so I'm looking for the same effort over the last few.  Beat the Hoosiers and then get ready for the Buckeyes.

LET'S GO BLUE!