History suggests Michigan’s game at Indiana will be a difficult one

Michigan and Indiana have a lopsided history on the football field. The Wolverines have won 23 consecutive games between the two teams dating back to 1987 — the last year Indiana took home the victory.

Despite that, the Hoosiers have played the Wolverines extremely tight since Jim Harbaugh took over as U-M’s coach. Two of the last four games have gone to overtime and the last four meetings have all been decided by 11 points or less.

This year’s game takes place in Bloomington, which is where both overtime games were played, and is the definition of a trap game with Michigan State and Ohio State sandwiching the contest.

Here’s a look at the last four games between IU and Michigan:

2018: Michigan 31, Indiana 20 in Ann Arbor

Closer than the final score indicated, IU held a lead at halftime before Michigan scored 13 straight points to open the second half.

Jake Moody kicked six field goals in the win, Karan Higdon ran for 101 yards and a touchdown and Shea Patterson threw for 250 yards and ran for 68.

On the IU side, Stevie Scott went for 139 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

2017: Michigan 27, Indiana 20 in OT in Bloomington

Michigan got out to a 13-0 lead before collapsing in the second half and allowing a game-tying field goal on the last play of regulation. Higdon saved the day in overtime, rushing for a 25-yard score on the first play. He finished the day with 200 yards and three touchdowns.

Tyree Kinnel intercepted Peyton Ramsey in the end zone in overtime to end the game.

It wasn’t John O’Korn’s best game, who was lucky Higdon had a career day. O’Korn completed only 10-of-20 passes for 58 yards.

2016: Michigan 20, Indiana 10 in Ann Arbor

Played in snowy conditions, neither offense was able to get moving in this one. U-M was ranked No. 3 coming into the game with playoff hopes still very much alive.

De’Veon Smith carried the Wolverines with 158 yards and two touchdowns while O’Korn struggled again, completing just seven passes for 59 yards.

Indiana had a 10-6 lead late in the third quarter, but Michigan scored the game’s final 14 points.

2015: Michigan 48, Indiana 41 in OT in Bloomington

This is the game that will forever haunt the Hoosiers. Indiana came out and quite frankly, was the better team in the second half. Jordan Howard torched Michigan’s defense for 238 yards and two touchdowns, including one with two minutes left that put the Hoosiers up a touchdown.

That lead didn’t last though, as Jake Rudock marched U-M down the field for a score, forcing overtime. Rudock finished the game with 440 yards and six touchdown passes. He also lead the team in rushing with 64 yards. Nate Sudfeld had 220 yards and a touchdown for IU.

Jehu Chesson had 10 catches for 207 yards and four scores.

Indiana settled for four field goals in regulation and couldn’t secure a fourth down pass in the end zone that would’ve sent the game to a third overtime.