Posted on Fri, Oct 1, 2010 : 1 a.m.
Pete Bigelow and Mike Rothstein preview Saturday's Michigan-Indiana game
By Rich Rezler
AnnArbor.com sports reporters Pete Bigelow and Mike Rothstein preview Saturday's Big Ten football opener between Michigan (4-0) and Indiana (3-0).
Comments
stlgoblue
Sat, Oct 2, 2010 : 12:23 a.m.
Chiro 19 said it best. Back in the spring, i circled this game and the sparty contest as the 2 keys to 2010. Basically, my belief is that UM needs to blister IU (predicting 42-24) and beat MSU (34-27) to prove FIRST that the traditionally lower tier big 10 teams will return to doormat status when playing BigBlue, and SECOMD that, once again, Sparty is the kid brother in the state of Michigan. I continue to predict 8-4 to 9-3 (really depends on development of PU) on our way to big 10 title in 2011--with Dee Hart as Big Ten freshman of the year.
Metalc0reJ
Fri, Oct 1, 2010 : 6:31 p.m.
I'm just hoping for a spontaneous transformation from a bottom-of-the-barrel defense into a mediocre defense. If this team just had a decent defense, our offense is going to win us games. This is a HUGE game for Michigan. I think it would be even bigger if it weren't nearly the same story from last year. That is, coming in undefeated, Big Ten opener, against the same opponent from last year. Since we won last year, even a convincing win wouldn't shake the comparisons to last season, we'll have to beat IU AND Sparty to shed our coats of last year's poor season.
Kubrick66
Fri, Oct 1, 2010 : 2:10 p.m.
Victory.
Kubrick66
Fri, Oct 1, 2010 : 2:03 p.m.
Victory.
Lorain Steelmen
Fri, Oct 1, 2010 : 8:19 a.m.
I think the UM defense comes out with a 'chip on their shoulder'. And the return of Carvin Johnson adds extra excitement. UM will hold IU under 20pts, meanwhile the UM offense, with all three QB's playing, has another banner day. RR will play several backs as well. UM 38- IU 17 On another topic, the Badgers crush the Spartans. 31-10.
tulsatom
Fri, Oct 1, 2010 : 7:39 a.m.
The key will be seeing if U-M's defense can cause a few turnovers or punts from Indiana. If they can, I like U-M's chances because it will be even harder for IU to handle the U-M offense. If U-M comes to play like they did at Notre Dame, it should be a comfortable win for Big Blue. If the defense doesn't come to play, it will be a high-scoring shootout with the last team to have the ball winning.
chiro19
Fri, Oct 1, 2010 : 7:26 a.m.
I hope that michigans defense is growing and learning from game to game! If they are then expect this game, if the weather is nice, to be no where near what the "experts are saying". Indiana has played against the 2nd worst team in the MAC (Akron 3-9 last year), they only scored 38 against Western Kentucky who has lost 24 in a row and gave up 63 to kentucky, and Towson who is a 1-aa team that has been crushed by villanova and lost to columbia! I personally think that Notre Dames passing attack is much better but more importantly I think Notre Dames run game is better than Indianas. This makes Indiana one demensional particularly in the 2nd half. Michigan will give up some yards and points but no where near what people are predicting! They give up 250 in the air and 100-125 on the ground and the score is 52-24 Mich. This is if the weather stays 30% chance of rain. Denard may have a special day also. I would put money if he stays healthy he will put up close to 280-300 on the ground and 250 through the air. But hey I am a Michigan fan just looking at the numbers from both teams in previous games this year.
3 And Out
Fri, Oct 1, 2010 : 3:16 a.m.
Even after last years "gum throwing" scare... and as bad as the Michigan defense is, and has been for the past 2.25 seasons... it is very hard to believe in Indiana...even at home. 3AndOut says: Michigan 768 Indiana 767 Both teams score faster than Don Draper...but it will be D Rob that makes the difference in the end.