For the first time in over half a century, the Michigan Wolverines will be the underdog when they face the Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday.
It’s no secret that Michigan has taken an enormous step back this season. In many ways, the fall was predictable and understandable.
After all, the Wolverines not only lost a ton of talent from last year’s undefeated national championship team, but they also lost the most important Michigan Man of them all: Jim Harbaugh.
On the other hand, Indiana is one of the best stories in all of college football.
Still undefeated at 9-0, the Hoosiers are currently a 14-point favorite over the Wolverines, marking a shift in what has historically been a one-sided Big Ten rivalry.
Remarkably, Michigan had been favored in each of the last 43 matchups with Indiana. In other words, the Wolverines are dogs against the Hoosiers for the first time since 1968!
Michigan, which enjoyed a 4-1 start to the season, has since struggled, going just 1-3 in its last four games and standing at 5-4 overall.
Now, with three games left in the regular season (@ Indiana, Northwestern, @ Ohio State), Michigan finds itself in an unusual position, fighting to secure bowl eligibility.
They need one more win to qualify and will only be favored against unranked Northwestern on November 23.
Saturday’s game against the red-hot Hoosiers will mark Michigan’s second consecutive week facing a top-10 team, a grueling start to their season-ending gauntlet.
Head coach Sherrone Moore and the Wolverines will look to bounce back after a rocky season, which has seen former walk-on quarterback Davis Warren reclaim his starting position.
Although Warren has been careful with the football, avoiding turnovers in his last two starts, he has yet to produce the high yardage necessary to keep Michigan competitive against elite teams.
Against Oregon, Warren managed 164 yards and two touchdowns, with nearly 70 percent of his passing yards going to standout tight end Colston Loveland.
The Wolverines’ victory over then-No. 11 USC in Week 4 now looks less impressive, as the Trojans have since slid to a 4-5 record.
Michigan won the national championship last season and that can never be taken away from them. (Or can it?)
Regardless, it’s clear the program is currently in a transition period and there’s a solid chance this year doesn’t end pretty for the Wolverines.
What are your thoughts on Michigan being underdogs (and significant underdogs at that) to Indiana for the first time since 1968???