Angelique S. Chengelis, Connor Earegood, John Niyo, and Bob Wojnowski of The Detroit News predict the outcome of Saturday's Michigan-Indiana game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor (Noon, Fox/94.7 FM).
▶ Angelique S. Chengelis: Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham wouldn't share who will start at quarterback against the Hoosiers, because he didn't want to give Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti a head start in preparations. But Cignetti assumes it will be freshman Tommy Carr and also assumes Bryce Underwood will play and perhaps both will be on the field at the same time. IU also has a QB issue with Josh Hoover, who had right arm soreness in the loss to Ohio State last weekend but has said he's fine. This game could swing on the run defenses — Indiana ranks No. 4 nationally, allowing 75.4 yards, and Michigan is 13th, giving up an average 89.7 yards. Michigan's run game gained some confidence against Penn State in the win last weekend and finally had some big-burst 40-plus-yard runs, but the Nittany Lions have one of the worst run defenses in the Big Ten. Pick: Indiana, 20-17
▶ Connor Earegood: Michigan finally benched Bryce Underwood, and though it'd be foolish to assume he won't find his way onto the field for a drive or two, it looks like Tommy Carr's ball. That's a lot on the shoulders of a true freshman, as his teammate well knows. Doubly so when a team like Indiana comes to town. Curt Cignetti's squad isn't the one that went undefeated as flippin' champs last season, but its defense has some premier talent, and Josh Hoover has thrown for 18 touchdowns and no picks. Seven have gone to former Michigan State receiver Nick Marsh, who caught a 20-yard touchdown at Michigan Stadium in 2024, and the River Rouge product returns to the Mitten looking for his first win against the Wolverines. This game hinges on UM's defense to put Carr in positions to thrive on the other end. Pick: Indiana, 28-20
▶ John Niyo: Michigan's defense has done its job, and then some. But Indiana's the best team the Wolverines will have faced, and if the Hoosiers find some success running the ball, it could make for a long afternoon. Curt Cignetti's team won't beat itself with turnovers or penalties: Josh Hoover has yet to throw an interception, and only Notre Dame has been flagged less than Indiana this season. Meanwhile, asking for a mistake-free day from a true freshman quarterback making his first start seems like an extremely tall order. Michigan finally found a rhythm on the ground in the second half against Penn State, but I'm not sure that's really saying much. Pick: Indiana, 27-17
▶ Bob Wojnowski: A statement game for Michigan or another slow-starting offensive slog? Well, it could be both. Indiana and Michigan have excellent defenses ranked in the top five in the country. Freshman Tommy Carr appears to have the composure to handle this, but don’t expect him to come out winging it for the Wolverines. More production from the run game is a must, and perhaps Bryce Underwood could come off the bench in some run packages. If the Wolverines can’t top 20 points — they’ve done it twice all season — it’ll be up to the defense, which will have to force a turnover or two. Problem is, Josh Hoover has been mostly mistake-free (18 TD passes, 0 ints), although the Hoosiers aren’t as explosive as last year’s national champs. Indiana’s receiving tandem of Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh will severely test the secondary, and the Hoosiers won’t be intimidated by the Big House. They will be pushed hard by UM’s defense, but the Wolverines will struggle to find enough offense. Pick: Indiana, 17-13
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Predictions: Michigan football vs. Indiana