Forget Superman – Hoosiers Aim to Do Their Jobs Against No. 4 Michigan
10/5/2022 2:35:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Michigan challenge is formidable. Chad Wilt knows that. Indiana's defensive coordinator has evaluated film. Lots of film. He's seen the numbers. He understands Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh's tendencies and the rich Wolverine tradition.
Then there's this -- Michigan is 5-0 and ranked No. 4. It averages 45.4 points, and allows 11.6. It hopes to repeat as Big Ten champs and get another college playoff shot.
Beyond that, the Wolverines outscore opponents 65-10 in the first quarter, 113-13 in the first half.
The challenge is formidable, especially for a 3-2 team coming off consecutive road losses.
The Hoosiers did beat Michigan 38-21 two years ago at Memorial Stadium, clinching the victory with a power running game the Wolverines couldn't stop.
Yes, that has nothing to do with Saturday's Homecoming battle, but it shows what could happen if IU finally plays a complete game.
So how do you stop the Michigan attack?
"The first thing you look at," Wilt says, "is how do teams score? That tells you about their identity and who they are as a team. Michigan has 19 rushing touchdowns and eight receiving touchdowns."
Does that suggest a one-dimensional offense?
Not even close.
"Some of that is distorted with some of the games they had early," Wilt says, a reference to blow-out victories over Colorado State (51-7), Connecticut (59-0), and Hawaii (56-10) "They got up on people and ran more."
Still, Wolverines tailback Blake Corum leads the nation with 10 rushing touchdowns, and has run for 611 yards, including 243 against Maryland. Michigan averages 221.8 rushing yards per game.
"You see an effective and efficient running game," Wilt says. "Coach Harbaugh has been known for that for a long time. You see it right away."
Behind quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the Wolverines average 234.8 passing yards a game. He completes 78.6 percent of his passes. He's thrown for six touchdowns and zero interceptions.
"You see effective and efficient quarterback play," Wilt says. "You see who McCarthy is and how they ask him to operate. They ask the quarterback to do a lot. It's not just game management. They ask him to do the things he does well.
"You see effective and efficient tight end play. You see effective and efficient wide receiver play. They don't create negatives for themselves. They don't put themselves in bad spots."
It is not, Wilt adds, a high-risk attack.
"They can stay on track, stay on course, and take their shots when they want to."
Harbaugh has had multiple offensive coordinators during his college coaching career, but there's a constant theme that never leaves.
"You see continuity and consistency from Harbaugh regardless of who is calling the plays," Wilt says.
Meanwhile, IU was outscored 14-0 in the fourth quarter at Nebraska last Saturday. Head coach Tom Allen suggests fatigue was a factor. Wilt says the Hoosiers, "Are attempting to play as many guys as possible, so when we get to the fourth quarter, our best players are still fresh and still have gas in the tank."
Playing many players, particularly young players, is great for building depth, but potentially leads to breakdowns.
"Young players will make mistakes," Wilt says. "We'll continue to coach them through that."
Youth is no excuse for poor play, he adds.
"They will be held to the same standard. If you're in the game, you're a starter. You have to play that way whether it's the first or fourth quarter.
"Whether you're on play 25 or 55 or 75, you have to be as fresh and capable as if you're on play 5. That's the expectation."
IU has been prone to allowing big plays, a surprise given the defense's veteran nature. Defensive end James Head Jr. talks about making "crazy mistakes." Wilt wants a unit that plays, "11 strong."
"It's all about playing together and executing to the best of your ability," Wilt says. "Nobody has to be superman.
"Yes, we're playing the No. 4 team in the country. Great. They're a great team. But nobody has to be something different. You don't have to make every play. Be a man and do your job.
"If you do that, if we have 11 guys playing together, we can play good defense."
Then there's this -- Michigan is 5-0 and ranked No. 4. It averages 45.4 points, and allows 11.6. It hopes to repeat as Big Ten champs and get another college playoff shot.
Beyond that, the Wolverines outscore opponents 65-10 in the first quarter, 113-13 in the first half.
The challenge is formidable, especially for a 3-2 team coming off consecutive road losses.
The Hoosiers did beat Michigan 38-21 two years ago at Memorial Stadium, clinching the victory with a power running game the Wolverines couldn't stop.
Yes, that has nothing to do with Saturday's Homecoming battle, but it shows what could happen if IU finally plays a complete game.
So how do you stop the Michigan attack?
"The first thing you look at," Wilt says, "is how do teams score? That tells you about their identity and who they are as a team. Michigan has 19 rushing touchdowns and eight receiving touchdowns."
Does that suggest a one-dimensional offense?
Not even close.
"Some of that is distorted with some of the games they had early," Wilt says, a reference to blow-out victories over Colorado State (51-7), Connecticut (59-0), and Hawaii (56-10) "They got up on people and ran more."
Still, Wolverines tailback Blake Corum leads the nation with 10 rushing touchdowns, and has run for 611 yards, including 243 against Maryland. Michigan averages 221.8 rushing yards per game.
"You see an effective and efficient running game," Wilt says. "Coach Harbaugh has been known for that for a long time. You see it right away."
Behind quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the Wolverines average 234.8 passing yards a game. He completes 78.6 percent of his passes. He's thrown for six touchdowns and zero interceptions.
"You see effective and efficient quarterback play," Wilt says. "You see who McCarthy is and how they ask him to operate. They ask the quarterback to do a lot. It's not just game management. They ask him to do the things he does well.
"You see effective and efficient tight end play. You see effective and efficient wide receiver play. They don't create negatives for themselves. They don't put themselves in bad spots."
It is not, Wilt adds, a high-risk attack.
"They can stay on track, stay on course, and take their shots when they want to."
Harbaugh has had multiple offensive coordinators during his college coaching career, but there's a constant theme that never leaves.
"You see continuity and consistency from Harbaugh regardless of who is calling the plays," Wilt says.
Meanwhile, IU was outscored 14-0 in the fourth quarter at Nebraska last Saturday. Head coach Tom Allen suggests fatigue was a factor. Wilt says the Hoosiers, "Are attempting to play as many guys as possible, so when we get to the fourth quarter, our best players are still fresh and still have gas in the tank."
Playing many players, particularly young players, is great for building depth, but potentially leads to breakdowns.
"Young players will make mistakes," Wilt says. "We'll continue to coach them through that."
Youth is no excuse for poor play, he adds.
"They will be held to the same standard. If you're in the game, you're a starter. You have to play that way whether it's the first or fourth quarter.
"Whether you're on play 25 or 55 or 75, you have to be as fresh and capable as if you're on play 5. That's the expectation."
IU has been prone to allowing big plays, a surprise given the defense's veteran nature. Defensive end James Head Jr. talks about making "crazy mistakes." Wilt wants a unit that plays, "11 strong."
"It's all about playing together and executing to the best of your ability," Wilt says. "Nobody has to be superman.
"Yes, we're playing the No. 4 team in the country. Great. They're a great team. But nobody has to be something different. You don't have to make every play. Be a man and do your job.
"If you do that, if we have 11 guys playing together, we can play good defense."
Players Mentioned
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