Michigan has zero margin for error for the rest of the season, and that starts on Saturday when it hosts Indiana. The No. 3 Wolverines still have the inside track to the Big Ten East title and a playoff spot, but with a massive showdown against Ohio State coming up, they absolutely cannot afford to look ahead and drop this game.
Indiana vs. Michigan 2016: Start time, live stream, TV schedule, and 3 things to know
Michigan needs to take care of business against the Hoosiers.
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
By now, you probably know Michigan lost last week at Iowa, 14-13. That game cost the Wolverines an undefeated record, but more importantly, it dragged them back toward Ohio State and Penn State in the Big Ten East. Each of those three teams have one conference loss, and Michigan needs to beat Ohio State to guarantee the division title. If it loses, either Ohio State or Penn State could win the division.
Indiana doesn’t have designs on the division title, but it’s one win away from bowl eligibility. The Hoosiers probably won’t get that win this week, but assuming they get it this year, it will be the first time they’re bowl eligible in back-to-back seasons since 1990-91.
How to watch, stream, and listen
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Online streaming: WatchESPN
Spread: Michigan is favored by 24 points.
Make friends: Get to SB Nation’s team blog chats for this game at Crimson Quarry for Indiana fans and Maize N Brew for Michigan fans.
Three big things to know
1. It’s difficult to imagine Jim Harbaugh letting the Wolverines come into this game unprepared, but after a deflating loss last week, and with Ohio State looming on the horizon, a home game against Indiana can slip through the cracks a little. The Hoosiers pushed both Penn State and Ohio State this year, so they can definitely make this game interesting.
2. The big question for Michigan, obviously, is what it looks like without Wilton Speight. John O’Korn will start in his absence, and while he hasn’t started in a while, he did throw 28 touchdowns as a true freshman with the Houston Cougars. Indiana’s defensive line got lots of pressure against Penn State last week, so it may be something of a rough introduction for O’Korn.
3. Indiana has lost 20 straight games to Michigan. If it could spring the upset here, it would be memorable not just for breaking that streak, but for also eliminating the Wolverines from playoff consideration. That would be a nasty spoiler indeed.
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