Michigan Football: Will Indiana be a trap game for the Wolverines?

For some reason, Michigan football seems to play a lot of close games against Indiana, will this be another trap game for the Wolverines?

Over the years, Michigan football has dominated a lot of teams and Indiana is one of them. In fact, the Wolverines have won 22 straight games against the Hoosiers and 38 of the last 40.

Overall in the series, Michigan football has a 57-9 edge and on top of the that, Indiana hasn’t won at the Big House since 1967. But despite all that, the Wolverines need to be very wary of the Hoosiers being a trap game, because, over the years, Indiana has come close to some major upsets.

Of course, the best example was the 1979 game when Indiana nearly upset Michigan in Ann Arbor before Anthony Carter scored a miracle touchdown on the final play of the game to deliver the Wolverines a win.

That was a great moment for Michigan football, but it wasn’t the last time it would struggle with Indiana. In fact, since Jim Harbaugh has been the head coach, the Hoosiers have played the Wolverines tough three times and took them to overtime twice.

Michigan Wolverines

In 2016, when Michigan football was also 9-1, with a matchup looming against Ohio State, John O’Korn had to engineer to a second-half rally to give UM a 20-10 win. A loss that day would have wrecked the Wolverines hopes in the Big Ten race and the national title hunt. However, this time around, it would only cripple Michigan’s hopes of making the College Football Playoff.

Regardless of what happens Saturday, Michigan would win the Big Ten East by beating Ohio State and the Big Ten championship by knocking off Northwestern the next week. Yet, a win over the Hoosiers is still important.

For one, it would basically lock up a berth in a major bowl for Michigan and also give the Wolverines their third 10-win season under Harbaugh. Also, this team, which is ranked fourth in the country, probably doesn’t want to be the first team since 1987 to lose to Indiana.

The Hoosiers also aren’t a doormat. They played competitive games against Penn State and Michigan State, although both were at home. Indiana quarterback Peyton Ramsey has had some solid moments and has thrown 17 touchdown passes. He also has 11 interceptions, as well as 264 yards rushing and four rushing touchdowns.

Ramsey also has a solid running back beside him in Stevie Scott, who has 894 yards on the season and five receivers with 300 yards or more. Donovan Hale is probably the top target with 31 receptions for 425 yards and six touchdowns.

Defensively, Indiana isn’t great and ranks 80th in the FBS by allowing an average of 30 points per game. But regardless of all the stats, as long as Michigan is focused and on top of its game, the Wolverines should win easily.

However, if this team is caught looking ahead to Ohio State, Michigan could find itself in another battle with Indiana, which is the last thing the Wolverines want on senior day.