Football games can be a tale of two halves and today was one of those games. In the first half, Michigan looked unprepared for the Indiana offense's approach, dealt with their own choppy offensive sequences, a clown show from the referees, and a terrifying medical situation unfolding with a key coach. In the second half, the offense was deliberate, the defense was suffocating, and the ref show was tamped down. It was 10-10 at halftime, with near even yardage. The final score was 31-10 with Michigan out-gaining Indiana 469-222. 

The game got off to a quick start. After Michigan completed four passes from JJ McCarthy to AJ Henning and Ronnie Bell, Blake Corum ripped off a 50 yard run down to the goal line. On the next play, he punched it in to give the Wolverines a quick 7-0 lead. Indiana punted after gaining one first down and at that time it seemed like the game we were expecting was unfolding. We were incorrect and the remainder of the first half was extremely unpleasant. 

Michigan's next drive was interrupted by a TFL on Donovan Edwards and the Wolverines would give the ball to the Hoosiers, who went on a 10 play, 76 yard TD drive. Michigan appeared unprepared for Indiana's heavy dose of screens and linebackers in coverage were a weakness yet again. A highly questionable DPI call on DJ Turner helped extend the drive and an 11 yard pass to RB Josh Henderson got Indiana their first points of the day, 7-7. 

[Bryan Fuller]

Both teams would score field goals on their next drives. Michigan moved down the field thanks to TE Luke Schoonmaker, who hauled in a couple passes, as well as Ronnie Bell, who snagged one for 26. Unfortunately, the drive stalled out after a JJ McCarthy 3rd & 8 throw fell incomplete in Hoosier territory. Jake Moody nailed the FG from 44 yards out. Indiana's drive was perhaps the most ref-show drive of the game, including an incomprehensible personal foul on Jaylen Harrell for a post-sack celebration, substitution shenanigans, and then a TD that the referees begrudgingly called back on a blatant OPI after several minutes of debate. With those points taken off the board, IU kicked a 41 yard FG to tie it at 10. 

Michigan would punt after a three-and-out, while Indiana gave it right back on an interception that Bazelak threw right to Rod Moore. The Wolverines drove down inside the ten after being given a short field, but they were unable to get the TD. Jake Moody lined up for a 26 yard chip shot, but had it blocked by Indiana's James Head Jr. The home team then proceeded to stitch together another long drive, bolstered by Jaylin Lucas' 39 yard run. The Hoosiers would meet the same fate as the Wolverines on this drive, though, lining up for their own short FG and also seeing it blocked. 

Michigan got the ball on the 20 with 3:15 to go in the half and moved the ball through the air into Hoosier territory but after McCarthy's first down pass from the 47 landed incomplete, they were forced to run it. Donovan Edwards' 2nd down carry got Michigan eight, but his 3rd & 2 plunge was spotted unfavorably and Indiana was ready to stuff the 4th & 1.5 run for Corum. The Wolverines turned it over on downs and it would go to halftime tied at 10. 

Not a banner day for kicking! [Bryan Fuller]

The second half would be a total reversal. Indiana's first drive went for seven plays and 26 yards, yet it would turn out to be the longest and most successful drive the Hoosiers had. Michigan adjusted to Indiana's screen game (it should not have taken that long to figure out), their run D was dominant (as it was all game), and Indiana was completely unable to protect Connor Bazelak on any downfield passes. The sack party stalled drive after drive for Indiana (Michigan had seven in total), and not even the referees could help get the Indiana offense going in the second half of football. 

Michigan, on the other hand, set the tone early. Their first drive of the half was a magnificent 11 play, 98 yard march down the field that ended in a 29 yard catch and run by Cornelius Johnson. That gave the Wolverines a 17-10 lead they would never relinquish. Their next drive went into IU territory, but ended on an interception from McCarthy, who tried to fit the ball into a covered Ronnie Bell in the end zone, seeing the ball batted up into the air and snatched by safety Devon Matthews. 

It wouldn't be until the early 4th quarter that Michigan would finally get a two-score lead, but a Luke Schoonmaker tight-rope down the sideline and extension into the end zone got it done. That bolstered the lead to 24-10 and a Cornelius Johnson six yard TD catch was the cherry on top. The latter 30 minutes of football were never competitive, as Michigan manhandled the Hoosiers, with only their own errors (play calling predictability, drops, poor throws, penalties) providing any resistance. The lopsided 2nd half made the final totals look decisive, but didn't quite mirror how unpleasant the game was to watch for a while. 

Touchdown! [Patrick Barron]

JJ McCarthy finished 28/36 for 8.4 YPA, 3 TD to 1 INT. On paper, a great outing, but he was also helped by his receivers making terrific catches on marginal throws. Blake Corum rushed 25 times for 124 yards and a TD, peppering in his typical brilliant jukes. Ronnie Bell led the way in the receiving game with 11 catches for 121 yards but Cornelius Johnson led in TDs with 2. Michigan also lost offensive tackle Trente Jones to a scary looking leg injury. Jones was carted off and did not return, with Karsen Barnhart filling in as the replacement. Defensively, Rod Moore had the takeaway while the seven sacks were by seven different players: Michael Barrett, Junior Colson, Eyabi Okie, Braiden McGregor, Mike Morris, Derrick Moore, and Jaylen Harrell. Barrett and Colson led the team with seven tackles each. 

We should conclude the recap by noting that during the first half, Michigan RB Coach Mike Hart collapsed on the sideline with what was announced as a seizure. He was down on the field for several minutes before being carted off on a stretcher. It's hard to know what effect this had on the Michigan players' performance during their uneven first half, but it also isn't respectful to discuss. All we can say is we hope for the best for Hart and wish him a quick recovery. 

Michigan is now 6-0 on the season and bowl eligible, 3-0 in the B1G. They have started 6-0 for the second straight season and for the third time in the Jim Harbaugh era. Michigan hosts Penn State next weekend at the Big House for what will be the biggest game of the season so far. That game is scheduled for noon EST and will be broadcast on FOX. There is no content after the jump.