5 things to watch for Michigan football vs. Indiana

Can the Wolverines eliminate the big play?

It’s being pretty nitpicky, but then again, there isn’t much to nitpick about, so I want to see the Wolverines do a better job of eliminating the big touchdown this week.

Three weeks in a row, as we wrote on the previous page, the Wolverines have allowed a touchdown of more than 35 yards.

Two of the touchdowns came through the air, while another was on the ground. Michigan is giving up less than a touchdown per game. The Wolverines are allowing just 3.1 yards per rushing attempt and this defense has been as good as any in college football.

But they have to shore up those explosive plays. One of them came on the opening drive of the game against Rutgers. Minnesota scored right before the half.

It didn’t matter against those teams. But against Ohio State and Penn State, allowing a play like that could make a real difference. Sometimes, you’re going to give things up. There will be missed tackles and missed assignments — those things happen.

But if you’re going to win the national championship, and beat Ohio State (again) and Georgia — you need to be nearly perfect and can’t keep giving up 30-yard plus touchdowns on a weekly basis. We’ll see if Indiana can hit one this week or be the first team to get a first-and-goal.