Michigan football: Grading the Wolverines after beating Indiana

Because it did what it has done all year, Indiana made it tough on Michigan Saturday in the home finale. The Hoosiers traded blows — some fair, some not so much, like the cheap shots on Chase Winovich and Berkley Edwards — before finally falling to the Wolverines 31-20.

For Michigan, it was its 10th straight win and set the stage for a huge showdown in Columbus next weekend against Ohio State, with the Big Ten East title — and a ticket to the Big Ten Championship Game — on the line. As it should be.

Here’s what I liked — and didn’t like — about the Wolverines’ victory over Indiana:

What I liked

1. Defense steps up big after frustrating first half

Michigan’s defense didn’t look like the No. 1 unit in the country in the first half, giving up more yards rushing AND receiving in the first 30 minutes than they had been averaging for an entire game, allowing Indiana to take a 17-15 halftime lead. It was frustrating because Indiana was basically being more physical, running the ball at will with freshman Stevie Scott, who was just shy of 100 yards himself in the first half. Quarterback Peyton Ramsey had time to throw and was hitting wide open receivers. It was, without, question the worst half of the season for this proud defense.

2. Running game plays smash-mouth football, Michigan style

Michigan worked its way back into the game by pounding away at Indiana’s front with a physical, aggressive running game. They ran the ball 50 times — for 257 yards — and had seven drives of eight plays or more. A lot of those drives kept ending in field goals, which is a rant for another day, but it was further proof that Michigan still likes to be a running team first under Jim Harbaugh. It was good to see Karan Higdon have another 100-yard day, his eighth of the year.

3. In the end, a win is a win is a win

Let’s be serious here. It doesn’t matter if this was a less-than-perfect outing for the Wolverines. All that matters is that it was a win, and they are 10-1 now and still a perfect 8-0 in the Big Ten. As it should be, the Big Ten East title comes down to one game — Michigan at Ohio State in Columbus on Saturday. No one’s going to remember anything about the Indiana game after next week.

What I didn’t like

1. Shea Patterson missed too many throws

Y’all know I’m a big Shea Patterson fan, because I’ve been watching him closely since his debut at Ole Miss in 2016. I thought he was the missing piece for this team, which is why I picked Michigan to win the Big Ten way back in August. But I can still be critical when I have to be. Patterson wasn’t as sharp on Saturday, missing a wide-open receiver on a first-half touchdown throw and then leading another  receiver too far on the 2-point conversion try. His third quarter interception wasn’t good, either. Sure, he was under pressure, but he probably just should have taken the sack there. He’ll need to be more clean next week at Ohio State.

2. Yeah, about that first half

We have given Michigan’s defense major props all year, and with good reason. They’ve been ranked No. 1 in total defense for most of the year, but on Saturday, Indiana had their way with them early. It reminded me of the Penn State game last year, where the Wolverines just couldn’t find their way. Thankfully, they picked up their game in the second half, but it was alarming to see guys like Winovich, Devin Bush and Josjh Metellus scattered across the field. Let’s hope this group is back to its dominating self against Ohio State next week.

Tom Brew

Tom Brew has been a recognized reporter in Big Ten sports for decades. Among other projects, he writes about Big Ten football for Saturday Tradition.