Michigan vs. Indiana Week 12 Free Pick

Posted by Jordan Walters on Wednesday,July 27, 2016 8:18, EDT in

I’m telling you right now that Michigan’s Week 12 game this season against Indiana, usually one of the Big Ten’s worst teams, could be a trap game for the Wolverines. Why? Because they travel to face a very good Iowa team the week before and then visit death rival Ohio State the week after. UM will be a big favorite against the Hoosiers on NCAA football odds, however.

How To Bet on the Michigan vs. Indiana Week 12 Free Pick  & TV Info

When: Saturday, Nov. 19, TBD
Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Mich.
TV: TBD
Stream:  College Sports Live
Radio: Michigan / Indiana
Opening NCAAF Lines: Michigan by TBA

Michigan vs Indiana Historical Betting Trends

One of the best games in the Big Ten last year was Michigan’s 48-41 double-overtime win over Indiana. UM’s Jehu Chesson tied a school record with four touchdown catches, including his final one with two seconds left that forced overtime. Jake Butt and Amara Darboh both caught TD passes in overtime, and Delano Hill knocked a pass away on fourth-and- goal from the two for Indiana on the final play of the second OT. Jake Rudock tossed a school-record six touchdown passes and had a career best for passing and rushing yards of 440 yards and 64 yards, respectively.

The ball was in Michigan’s possession to start the second overtime. On the first play of the drive, Rudock found Darboh deep in the end zone with a 25-yard pass to bring the score to 48-41. Indiana then pushed Michigan to the two-yard line. On fourth down, the Hoosiers opted to pass after four successful rushes, only to have the pass be deflected, ending the game.

Michigan has now won 20 consecutive games in the series against IU and improved to 55-9 all-time vs. the Hoosiers. U-M has won 17 of 18 meetings at Memorial Stadium and has been ranked in all 18 contests.

Why Bet On Indiana?

The Hoosiers made their first bowl game since 2007 — and just their second since 1993 — last season, losing to Duke in overtime of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. Indiana has a high-powered offense and has seemingly been on the verge of a breakthrough for the past few years under Kevin Wilson. Indiana returns six starters from a unit that led the Big Ten in total offense last season. That includes senior O- linemen Dimitric Camiel and Dan Feeney.

But who is the QB? JuCo transfer Richard Lagow is seen as the heir to Nate Sudfeld, but Wilson has yet to name a starter at quarterback. Sophomore Danny Cameron is also in the hunt, and Zander Diamont is the only one on the roster with major college experience.

Why Bet On Michigan?

Simply put, UM is a much better team. The Wolverines’ best player is likely Jabril Peppers, who reminds many of former Heisman winner Charles Woodson. Peppers has been selected to the preseason watch list for the 2016 Paul Hornung Award, presented annually to college football’s best all-around player.

Peppers earned his first varsity letter in 2015, starting 12 games at defensive back. He was selected as the Big Ten Conference’s Thompson-Randle El Freshman of the Year for 2015, earned second-team All-America honors, and was a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award. By the time the season ended, Peppers had also lined up at running back, wide receiver and quarterback. He scored three touchdowns on offense, was a huge factor in the return game and was — for the most part — Michigan’s primary running back in the final week of the regular season against Ohio State.

Michigan standout CB Jourdan Lewis enjoys playing for new defensive coordinator Don Brown, nicknamed “Dr. Blitz.” Lewis describes Brown’s scheme as, “Pressure, pressure. Dr. Blitz knows what he’s doing. That’s what he’s great at, that’s what he hangs his hat on, and that’s what we’re going to do. “Lewis is already widely regarded as one of the nation’s top corners — but he doesn’t want to stop there. “I’m going to put this out there right now: I want to play offense.”

Michigan needs a quarterback, yes. For preseason camp, Coach Jim Harbaugh proclaimed the slate “clean and wide open” in the competition to start between junior Wilton Speight, senior John O’Korn and senior Shane Morris.

My Free Pick

Michigan has owned this series of late, although Indiana has come close a few times. If this is a large spread, I’d take IU on college football odds but UM will win.