Anyone who has followed Michigan football this season knows that it has been a slow start. What began with an overtime victory over Army in week two and an ugly three-touchdown blowout loss to Wisconsin in week four has turned into three straight 30+ point victories, two of which were in rivalry games.
So, what is Michigan Football? You read that correctly: potato salad.
“The team has just been developing and getting better. You cannot plant potatoes one day and expect to eat potato salad the next. “You need time to develop,” Coach Harbaugh remarked during Monday’s media availability.
Indiana coaches reported similar findings during their media availability, with the exception of the potato metaphors.
“I think they’re playing their best football right now,” Kane said.
Wommack.
“They seem like an entirely different team, particularly on offense. “They are playing with a lot of confidence,” Tom Allen observed.
2. “Speed in Space”
When Michigan returned nine offensive starters and hired new offensive coordinator Josh Gattis to head the Wolverines, offensive progress was anticipated. Despite a difficult start to the season, this has become more apparent in recent games.
“Usually it’s kind of the other way around,” remarked Shea Patterson. “Usually the defense is the one to thank.”
However, in recent games, the tides have turned. After averaging just 21.5 points in the previous four games with Michigan State, the offense exploded for more than double last weekend. Patterson completed 72% of his passes, totaling 384
yards, four touchdowns. This broke Tom Brady’s record for the most passing yards versus Michigan State, as well as the second-most passing touchdowns in a single game by a Michigan quarterback.
Gattis’ acquisition of “space speed” has sparked this transformation. Essentially, upgrading previous offenses with spread tendencies. On Saturday, nine different receivers recorded receptions.
Ronnie Bell has been the finest of them all, despite Michigan fans hating him for a dropped TD throw against Penn State this year and “just” being a 2-star recruit. Bell had nine catches for 150 yards on Saturday and has benefited the most this season from the offensive philosophy shift.
To win this game, Indiana will need to control its speed in free space.
3. Michigan will attack during all three stages of the game.
The Wolverines’ special teams squad has also had some of their greatest recent performances. Place kicker Quinn Nordon went 3 for 3 on field goals with a long of 49 versus Michigan State and did not miss an extra point.
A week after Indiana’s costly fake punt gaffe, the Hoosiers will face a Wolverine squad that has blocked a punt in two consecutive games.
Coach Allen has already selected special teams as an area of emphasis for this week’s practice, stating that his “hammer team,” the kickoff coverage unit, will receive extra reps.
Avoiding more special
