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Michigan Football: 5 things to know about Indiana

By Alex Hinton

Nov 7, 2020; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Tom Allen shakes the hand of Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh after the game at Memorial Stadium. The Indiana Hoosiers defeated the Michigan Wolverines 38 to 21. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2020; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Tom Allen shakes the hand of Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh after the game at Memorial Stadium. The Indiana Hoosiers defeated the Michigan Wolverines 38 to 21. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Indiana is depleted at running back 

Indiana lost Sampson James and Tim Baldwin in the transfer portal. David Ellis suffered a season-ending injury. As a result, the Hoosiers are without 88% of its running back production from last season. Behind starter Stephen Carr, Indiana is down to walk-ons for depth. Carr is coming off a big game against Maryland with 21 carries for 136 yards and two touchdowns.

However, overall running the ball has been a struggle for the Hoosiers this season. Indiana is ranked 100th in rushing with 124.6 yards per game and 111th averaging 3.4 yards per carry. The Hoosiers will offer a good opportunity for Michigan to get a rebound performance from its run defense.

3.  The Hoosiers will start a freshman QB

Indiana had high hopes entering this season with the return of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. However, Penix Jr. struggled to protect the football (four touchdowns to seven interceptions) and a shoulder injury put him on the sideline once again.

Utah transfer Jack Tuttle was ineffective before he went down with an injury as well. Now, the Hoosiers have turned to true freshman Donaven McCulley and he will start against Michigan.

Indiana head coach Tom Allen was originally planning to redshirt McCulley but that is no longer an option. In his first start against Maryland, McCulley was 14 for 25 for 242 yards and two touchdowns.

At 6-foot-5, he is bigger than Penix Jr. or Tuttle and more mobile. However, he has lost 32 rushing yards on sacks.

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