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Michigan and Indiana square off on Saturday afternoon in a game where something will have to give.
Indiana boasts one of the best, most-diverse offenses in the Big Ten, while Michigan has the best defense. The Hoosiers on defense, however, are putrid. The Wolverines have struggled offensively at times this season.
Here's what I will be keeping an eye on during Saturday's game:
Indiana's Offense vs. Michigan's Defense
That seems pretty broad, and it is, but this is a fascinating matchup to me. Quarterback Nate Sudfeld is one of the better passers in the conference and has a vast array of weapons at wide receiver and a very good running back in Jordan Howard. They can put points on the board with the best of them, as seen in games against Ohio State and Michigan State.
Now, Michigan has the best defense that they have seen, but they have had some hiccups on the road and have been a little more susceptible to the big play in recent weeks.
Jourdan Lewis will be able to contain whoever he is lined up against, but we will see if Sudfeld is able to diagnose the other matchups and keep the chains moving for the Hoosiers.
This is not a team you want to get into a shootout with. Michigan's defense will have to be on high alert on Saturday afternoon.
Jake Rudock vs. Indiana's Secondary
The IU secondary is bad. Their whole defense is, really, but the secondary has been torched multiple times this season.
Enter Jake Rudock, who had struggled to really put up any significant numbers of note in the passing game until a career-high 337 yards against Rutgers last week. It was not that he was hurling the ball down the field at 40 yards an attempt, but he was methodical and got the ball to the open man and let them make plays.
The opportunity to do so will continue on Saturday. Rudock has a great shot to build from his performance last week and keep up the strong play. Indiana has a tendency to make quarterbacks they play against look like Tom Brady, so we shall see if they let Michigan do the same with its quarterback.
Those are the main two matchups I will be keeping an eye on, but there are always several smaller battles to take a look at. So what will have your attention on Saturday afternoon? Sound off in the comments below!