Potential Trap Game

Looking over the schedule, I think there is one game that sticks out as a potential trap game for Michigan. When predicting the season results, most of the talk has been whether Michigan will or will not lose at Happy Valley, or vs. OSU. There has been mixed in there occasional mention of Florida or Wisconsin as a potential loss. But if a loss (or at least a surprisingly competitive game) against an inferior opponent is going to happen, which one will it be?

In my mind, the prototypical trap game is a road game between circle games. I presume that Michigan's circle games (prior to Nov. 25) include Florida, MSU, PSU & Wisconsin. (I include MSU as a circle game not because I think they pose a serious threat to Michigan, but because it's Michigan's opportunity to curb stomp little brother back into irrelevancy and claim this rivalry back as their own.)

There is only one game on Michigan's schedule that is sandwiched between circle games, and it is a conference road game against a mid-level opponent. Not serious enough an opponent to be a circle game, but good enough to provide a surprisingly tough matchup.

After Michigan beats down on Sparty, the talk will be Michigan's upcoming quasi-division title game at PSU, the East Division's first of 3 quasi-title games.

I AM NOT PREDICTING A MICHIGAN LOSS, they are clearly superior talent-wise, but Michigan's game at Indiana fits the criteria of a potential trap game. We used to fear Indiana because CHAOS. Now that they're post-CHAOS, there is no longer quite the fear. Perhaps that actually makes them more dangerous in a sneaky kind of way. IU's secondary (#2 among Michigan's opponents, per Ace) could be trouble for Michigan's young receivers, the best LB in the conference tracking down Michigan's RBs, Lagow will be the best QB Michigan's young secondary will have faced at that point in the season. I believe if Michigan happens to stumble against an unexpected team, it will be @ Indiana.

FWIW, OSU's potential trap game comes after they beat down PSU in a revenge game, the East Division's 2nd quasi-title game. Then comes a trip to Iowa City. Michigan fans know all about Iowa being a Little Shop of Horrors, but OSU has not yet experienced the same thing recently with Iowa. Heck, they haven't even been on the schedule much in recent years. That's what might make it all the more sneaky to travel out there after thumping their chests with a PSU win. People are talking about OSU potential losses being Oklahoma, PSU, or Michigan, but it's possible their first stumble of the season comes at Iowa.

tl;dr version: the biggest potential trap game on Michigan's schedule is...@ INDIANA.