Tom Allen Previews Michigan

On the challenges IU's offense will face against Michigan's defense...

"They're a great football team and that always comes with a lot of things. It starts with having great players, talent, speed, which they have. Then, the coaches do a tremendous job there as well, schematically putting them in a great positon. They stir things up quite a bit. They're going to give you a lot of different looks and a lot of different run pressures, pass pressures. They don't just sit there. They are always on the move and play a very aggressive man coverage behind it. They've done really well. They've given lots of offenses a lot of fits. Our guys have to be locked in, have to execute the game plan and we expect them to do that."

On the importance of getting pressure on the quarterback...

"It's a huge priority for us, but you have to get them in those situations. You have to get them in those third downs where it forces them to throw the football. That's why winning first downs is critical for us. All season long, but more so this week probably because of their style, ability to run the football and size up front. It's no different than every single week. We are an aggressive defense. We are going to attack them like we always do. We are going to give them looks we feel are best for us to have success. When you get them into third downs, that's when you are sacking the quarterback."

On Homecoming in Bloomington...

"It sure is (exciting). Someone asked me about the difference. You get all the former players and alumni coming back, everybody that just may not have a chance to come, this is their one time where they can plan a weekend here if they live far away. You just want to be able to represent them. We want them to come back and be proud of how you play. Obviously, getting a win is what you want every week. A special win against a team that has been a perennial power in the Big Ten for a long, long, long time. As I tell our team, it's the biggest game of the season because it's the next one."

Indiana University Athletics

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