Defending football national champions Indiana (5-1) will be invading the Big House at noon Saturday to face Michigan (4-2) in a Big Ten showdown that could have major postseason implications for both programs.
Michigan leads the all-time series 58-11. The Wolverines won the first meeting 63-0 in 1925. Indiana won the most-recent meeting 20-15 in 2024 and then went on to its first appearance in the College Football Playoff. Ironically, Michigan was the defending national champion at the time.
So here are the four best encounters between the two schools.
1979
Indiana 21, Michigan 27
In one of the most famous finishes at Michigan Stadium, No. 10 Michigan found itself deadlocked with unranked Indiana 21-21 with 6 seconds left in the game and the ball resting on the Hoosiers’ 45-yard line.
Then it all happened. Michigan quarterback John Wangler hit wide receiver Anthony Carter with a pass at the 20-yard line. Carter broke two tackles, evaded a third, maintained his balance and high-stepped into the end zone for the winning touchdown as time expired.
It was the 100th homecoming game at Michigan and sent head coach Bo Schembechler jumping up and down in celebration. Indiana was coached by Lee Corso, who later became a college football household name as a broadcaster.
Both Indiana and Michigan finished the season with identical 8-4 records – a disappointment for Michigan and a reason to celebrate for Hoosiers. Michigan finished 18th and Indiana was 19th in the Final AP Poll.
1976
Indiana 86, Michigan 68
This one was a basketball matchup, but with so much historical significance, it had to be included.
After facing each other twice during the Big Ten regular season – one an overtime thriller in Bloomington — Indiana and Michigan tipped off in the NCAA National Championship Game.
The tournament had just expanded to 32 teams, and it marked the first time in history two teams from the same conference squared off in the national title game.
Upstart Michigan held a halftime lead, but Indiana came roaring back in the second half to win. Scott May was named the National Player of the Year and Kent Benson scored 25 points and won the Final Four Most Outstanding Player Award.
Moreover, Indiana finished 32-0 and no team since has finished with a perfect season in Division 1 basketball.
It was the third of five national titles for the Hoosiers and the first for head coach Bobby Knight, who would go on to win two more, which included 1981 with Isiah Thomas and 1987 with Keith Smart’s last-second jump shot from the corner.
2017
Indiana 20, Michigan 27 (OT)
Michigan picked up its 500th Big Ten win after Karan Higdon exploded on a 25-yard touchdown run on the first play of overtime. Higdon finished the game with 200 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
Michigan dug in defensively and stopped Indiana, which had a first-and-goal situation from the 1-yard line in overtime. After three unsuccessful scoring attempts, Tyree Kinnel nailed down the win by intercepting Peyton Ramsey on fourth down in the end zone.
Indiana was trailing by 10 points with 4 minutes remaining in regulation. The Hoosiers rallied and Griffin Oakes kicked a 46-yard field goal as time expired to force overtime.
2015
Michigan 48, Indiana 41 (2OT)
Played during Jim Harbaugh’s first season as Michigan head coach, this one became a record-setter. Fifth-year transfer quarterback Jake Rudock fired a school-record six touchdown passes – four to senior wideout Jehu Chesson, also tying a school mark.
Jake Butt and Amara Darboh both caught touchdown passes in overtime and safety Delano Hill batted away a fourth-down pass from the 2-yard line in the second overtime for the win.
Related Headlines