Michigan Football: 2016 Game-by-Game Predictions
By Erik Schlitt
Indiana Hoosiers
November 19, Indiana at Michigan, TBA
Indiana has a lot of work to do to replace last season’s starting quarterback, running back, and left tackle.
Head coach Kevin Wilson has selected Junior college transfer Richard Lagow to start at quarterback. But in true Kevin Wilson form, he made it clear that the competition isn’t over yet. He plans on reevaluating the position on a game-by-game basis. Wilson will have three weeks to make his decision before they travel to Michigan State and then host Ohio State the following week.
Running back Devine Redding was solid filling in last season when Jordan Howard was injured. He’ll lead the rushing attack behind an offensive line that still looks solid despite losing their left tackle. With Jason Spriggs needing to be replaced, in steps Brandon Knight, who looks to have a very similar upside to his game.
The Hoosiers defense continues to be a mess.
Indiana has changed defensive coordinators, again, and they are switching to a 4-2-5 scheme. With, the strength of this defense has been its linebackers and it’s weakness is in the secondary. So, this scheme switch will reduce the number of linebackers on the field from 3 down to 2 and put a fifth member of the secondary on the field. How is this going to fix things again?
Prediction:
Indiana is a Jekyll and Hyde type of team. Some days their offense shows up and they look like they can’t be stopped. Other times they look pedestrian and they get stomped by lesser teams. This year the game is in Ann Arbor and even if they come ready to play, don’t expect the kind of drama we saw last year.
Michigan wins (11-0, 8-0)
Next: Week 13: Ohio State Buckeyes