2009 record: 3-0 (0-0 in Big Ten)
2008 record: 3-9
2008 Sagarin: 95
Coach: Rich Rodriguez (2nd year, 6-9)
Series: Michigan leads 50-9
Last Michigan win: 11/11/2006 (34-3 in Bloomington)
Last IU win: 10/24/1987 (14-10 in Bloomington)
Last IU win in Ann Arbor: 10/21/1967 (27-20)
TV: noon, ESPN2
IU will try to end its longest Big Ten losing streak and longest Big Ten road losing streak in Ann Arbor on Saturday in a battle between two teams that most did not expect to be undefeated at this point. I'll discuss the matchup more as the week continues, but today, I'll take a quick look at the history of the series, as painful as that might be from the IU perspective.
One thing that jumps out, other than Michigan's large advantage in the series, is the relatively small number of games between two schools whose Big Ten memberships date to the 19th century. This will be the 60th meeting between Indiana and Michigan. Long-time member Wisconsin, mid-20th century addition Michigan State, and Penn State are the only Big Ten teams that IU has played fewer times than Michigan. There have been some memorable games in the series:
1979 (Michigan 27, Indiana 21): one of the all-time heartbreakers in IU's history. It appeared that the Hoosiers would escape Ann Arbor with a tie, but after a play that (depending on which school's fans are talking) either was then illegal or is now illegal, Michigan intentionally fumbled out of bounds to stop the clock, and Michigan won on an Anthony Carter touchdown pass as time expired.
1987 (Indiana 14, Michigan 10): eight years later, IU got revenge and finally beat Bo Schembechler. On a rainy October day, the 5-1 Hoosiers already had defeated Ohio State 31-10 in Columbus, and after the win over Michigan, Rose Bowl fever was in full swing, although the Hoosiers ultimately lost the conference title to Michigan State.
Bo took it mangnanimously.
There have been some close calls in the years since, although the Wolverines always have managed to come out on top.
1991 (Michigan 24, Indiana 16). I couldn't find much detail on this game.
1996: Michigan 27, Indiana 20.
Quarterback Scott Dreisbach threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Jermane Tuman late in the third quarter to help the Wolverines rally for a homecoming victory at Ann Arbor, Mich.
Michigan (5-1, 2-1) trailed, 17-7, in the second quarter as the Hoosiers (2-5, 0-4) took advantage of turnovers and mistakes.
Dreisbach completed 17 of 35 passes for 218 yards, but his two interceptions led to scores for the Hoosiers, who have lost 12 consecutive conference games.
1998: Michigan 21, Indiana 10: IU led 7-0 until late in the second quarter, but Tom Brady ultimately led the defending national champions to victory.
1999: Michigan 34, Indiana 31: I can't find any video on this one, but here's the unhappy recap. IU trailed 17-0 but scored 24 unanswered points to take the lead. Michigan then scored 14 unanswered, but IU tied the game at 31. A Michigan field goal with 18 seconds remaining gave the Wolverines their final margin of victory, but not before Antwaan Randle El's Hail Mary was nearly caught by Jerry Dorsey.
Since 1999, the Wolverines haven't let the Hoosier stick around much: other than a 31-17 loss in Ann Arbor in 2003, all of Michigan's wince since then have been by more than 20 points.
As the week continues, I'll take a closer look at the 2009 editions of each team.