Tom Allen Previews Michigan

On battling against the Michigan defense…

"It's like any other game you have to play. It's fundamentals, it's techniques. Obviously as you mentioned, a very talented football team. They have the number one defense in the country and they've been pretty consistent in their performance. Coach Brown does a great job in running the defense and the kids have bought in and have played very hard. So we have to be sound up front, do a great job of running the football, and those windows are going to be small at times. But it's about keeping the kind of balance we have to have, like throwing the football down the field, protecting, creating opportunities and staying out of third and longs. They do a good job of getting you in those situations and they make you pay. It's somewhat fundamental for most teams, but because of their talent and the way that they coach them, that combination creates a challenge for our offense. But at the same time, we know what we have to do and we have to go up to Ann Arbor and play our best."

On Shea Patterson and how the Michigan offense looks different…

"When you go back and look at their personnel, there are a lot of similarities from last year, but that position is definitely different. He brings a new dimension to their team and his ability to throw the football accurately, move around in the pocket, create some plays with his legs, extend plays with his legs, makes him a special player. I just think he's elevated their level of play on that side of the ball and the production has been the result. Bottom line is we are going to have to play our best game of the season on defense in regards to the discipline, the run fits, being able to control their run game, which has been really effective, and then their third down and play-action game has been effective as well. So, it's going to stress us. We're going to have to rise up and play very, very well. But to me it's about staying true to our core values as well, which is tackling, takeaways and phenomenal effort."

On sensing a boost of confidence in practice after getting back in the win column…

"You do. There's no question, I think you saw it from the very first time we got together. You work so hard and I love these guys for how hard they've prepared, they've stayed together, and it was just so neat to see them rewarded for that when we were able to finish in all three phases and that resulted in a win. There's no question it gives you and extra boost and it reinforces all the hard work we've been doing. I'm really happy for them for that and we have to build off it."

Indiana University Athletics

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