BLOOMINGTON, IN - NOVEMBER 09: Michigan Wolverines WR Kendrick Bell (12) during a college football game between the Michigan Wolverines and Indiana Hoosiers on November 9, 2024 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
BLOOMINGTON, IN - NOVEMBER 09: Michigan Wolverines WR Kendrick Bell (12) during a college football game between the Michigan Wolverines and Indiana Hoosiers on November 9, 2024 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images · Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

A strong defensive performance and a quarterback change led the Michigan Wolverines to a comeback win over the Penn State Nittany Lions last week. Now, they have maybe their toughest test of the season to date, the reigning national champion Indiana Hoosiers. Following a loss to Ohio State, Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers will be hoping to right the ship and keep their Big Ten championship and postseason hopes alive.

Michigan Wolverines vs No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers

  • Day: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026
  • TV: CBS
  • Time: Noon ET
  • Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
  • Weather: 56 degrees, sunny
  • Odds: IND -7.5, O/U: 41.5

Two of the last three national champs do battle in Ann Arbor on Saturday, with the two programs going in seemingly opposite directions since their last title. Indiana not only retained its head coach, but also added a slew of talent in the transfer portal. Key veterans like quarterback Josh Hoover and wideout Nick Marsh lead the way. Adding them to a pass game that already boasted talented speedster Charlie Becker, and you have one of the most lethal offenses in college football looking to repeat.

On the other side, freshman quarterback Tommy Carr is expected to make his first career start. In front of him is a banged-up offensive line, with Blake Frazier, Jake Guarnera and others all showing up on the injury report on Wednesday. Carr provided a spark last week, took care of the football and executed three scoring drives off Penn State turnovers.

A much quicker start is needed for the Wolverines in this game. They rank 99th in the country in scoring, only 9.7 points in the first half of games. Execution from this offense with a fresh face behind center is needed, as they face the No. 8 scoring defense in the nation. Teams are scoring just 15 points per contest against the Hoosiers and a staggering 4.3 points in the first half.

How healthy Hoover actually is will be what each fan base will be keeping an eye on as we head into the weekend. Sophomore backup Tyler Cherry has only three career attempts, and this Indiana offense could struggle with a Michigan defense that has been elite with rest this season. They lead the country, allowing only four yards per play despite lopsided time of possession battles through six games.

The key to a Michigan victory is sustained drives that allows the defense to take a breath before going back on the field. That puts a huge emphasis on Carr’s decision making and running the ball with consistency — two things that were executed in the win over Penn State.

This should be another ugly game, with the total creeping to the low 40s because of each program’s defense and questions at quarterback. Because of that, I like Michigan to cover the 7.5-point spread. I see a world with a backdoor cover for the Wolverines as they make things interesting late, but ultimately fall to the Hoosiers.

The play: Michigan +7.5

Other top games

  • Sat, Oct 24 @ Noon ET on ABC: No. 18 LSU Tigers vs Auburn Tigers
    • The Bet: Auburn +7.5
  • Sat, Oct. 24 @ 3:30 p..m. ET on ESPN: No. 11 Tennessee Volunteers vs South Carolina Gamecocks
    • The Bet: South Carolina – 2.5
  • Sat, Oct. 17 @ 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC: No. 7 Ole Miss Rebels vs No. 19 Texas Longhorns
    • The Bet: Ole Miss +3.5

Source: Yahoo Sports