HALFTIME: Indiana 7, MI 3

The ugly win won’t do much to build any kind of confidence heading into next week’s titanic clash in Columbus against Ohio State, though. IU’s last win against MI came during the 1987 season. After losing the special teams battle last week at Iowa the Wolverines got a much better effort from the unit today.

Michigan State: QB Tyler O’Connor.

After seeing four quarters of Iowa and two of IU, Ohio State’s defensive line had to be licking its chops. Both teams will be looking to not only make the Big Ten championship game but keep their college football playoff hopes alive. And really, given the nature of voting, the Wolverines’ 10-point win could move them to No. 2, while the Buckeyes’ one-point victory could prompt a slide to No. 3. It appeared to loosen the surprisingly strong grip the Hoosiers’ defense had on Michigan’s offense.

IN at No. 4 MI.

Indiana’s last win vs. MI was 14-10 home victory on October 24, 1987.

If Speight isn’t cleared to play, O’Korn will likely get start his first game at MI against the Hoosiers (5-5, 3-4).

Instead of potentially going up 14-6, the Hoosier went up just 10-6, then saw their lead vanish the next series. Michigan’s number one rushing option has been De’Veon Smith who has carried the ball 121 times for a team-high 592 yards and eight touchdowns. Quarterback Richard Lagow is second in the conference in passing yards.

Indiana: The Boilermakers will have a shot to spoil the Hoosiers’ shot to become bowl-eligible. Minnesota already has locked up a fifth straight bowl trip, and another win could enhance the Gophers’ postseason destination. Despite Jim Harbaugh claiming Speight was a game-time decision it was fairly obvious he wasn’t going to play, paving the way for John O’Korn to make his first start as a Michigan Wolverine. The offense has to do a better job of keeping the defense off the field so they aren’t gassed come late in the second half. With the victory the Wolverines finished the season with a ideal 8-0 record at home. It will likely be an underdog for the first time all season. Westbrook has caught 44 passes for 793 yards and five touchdowns this season, while Jones has caught 43 passes for 713 yards and three touchdowns. Some games are bigger than others.

IL is a 9 ½-point underdog at home against Iowa.

But consider the following: MI beat Penn State 49-10 and topped Big Ten West power Wisconsin, 14-7. The Wolverines outscored the Hoosiers 17-3 in the decisive third quarter. The Illini got quarterback Wes Lunt and receiver Malik Turner back from injuries last week, and the offensive line has not given up a sack the past two games.

MI is going to need a great week of practice to go down there and have a chance. Speight had thrown for 2,156 yards with 15 touchdowns and four interceptions this year while leading MI to an average of 44.5 points and 467.8 yards per game.

The running backs were need heavily with O’Korn stumbling in his first start in almost two years since transferring to MI.