IUFB @ Michigan - Saturday, 10.24.26 @ Noon on Fox TV -- GAME THREAD

[eddy4iu]

1 hour ago, Stuhoo said:

Per Cig's presser this afternoon, for the Michigan game we are very likely to be welcoming back one Khobias T. Martin!

"Yeah, I would say we're optimistic on him." were his words I think when asked about Khobie's progress?

[RaceToTheTop]

On 10/18/2026 at 12:43 PM, BtownStrength said:

Anybody who watched 2nd half of UM-PSU care to share how Carr looked? I assume much better than Underwood

He wasn’t ask to put the ball in air much.  Think he threw 7 passes for 47 yards.  They ran a few option plays.  He scored on one option run but to be fair that was due to the Penn state defender committing unnecessarily to the pitch man — the spacing on it was really pretty bad on michigans part to the point of where I don’t think Carr could have successfully even made the pitch.  The biggest difference was Michigan’s running backs made some plays including a 40+ yard run for a touchdown.

[realTomCrean]

I’ve watched Michigan here and there throughout the year. It’s true they’re great against the run but they are because they have played a healthy amount of man coverage. They believe they have the DBs to do it - I take our best over theirs. Big believer in Chandler having his welcome to the big leagues game. 
 

UM pass rush is middle of the pack. Looking for Hoover to throw 35+ times again. IU explosive plays will be off the charts if he can make the throws. To me this game will be a tell if we are truly national contenders or if we’re just a great coached team. Hoover’s judgement day! IU rolls 21+ is my pick 

[realTomCrean]

UM - Left

IU - Right 

[cthomas]

I think this is the true trap game. After the effort and hype that went into the OSU game, a let down is almost inevitable. I listened to an OSU podcast and one of the things they mentioned was how beat up OSU was coming out of the IU game. I have to think we have some guys at less than 100% also. Hopefully, we can pull it together enough to get out of there with the win.I expect a war.

[Pagoda]

Agree this is probably going to be a slobberknocker and a close game 'til the end.  We have a pretty good idea what our team is like at this point.

I do think we'll be focused.  A 7 point line going into the Big House will have everyone's attention.

Just find a way to win.

[MonteMarcaccini]

9 hours ago, cthomas said:

I think this is the true trap game. After the effort and hype that went into the OSU game, a let down is almost inevitable. I listened to an OSU podcast and one of the things they mentioned was how beat up OSU was coming out of the IU game. I have to think we have some guys at less than 100% also. Hopefully, we can pull it together enough to get out of there with the win.I expect a war.

Yesterday Cig mentioned coming off two physical games, and this being the 8th game in a row, that some guys weren’t feeling the way they were 10 days ago.  And they would have to “suck it up”.  Reminds me of the stretch last year into Penn St and then kind of limping into the Wisco game (played lethargic in the 1H)

Injury report will be interesting.  Hopefully Khobi can inject some juice into the run game starting this week.

[AH1971]

Going to have to throw to open up the run I'm afraid playing good to competent defenses. Even with Becker and Marsh on the outside, teams just not respecting Hoover's accuracy and I don't blame them. Much tougher to find consistent success in the run game facing 7 and 8 man boxes. 

[jermhoosierfan]

13 minutes ago, MonteMarcaccini said:

Yesterday Cig mentioned coming off two physical games, and this being the 8th game in a row, that some guys weren’t feeling the way they were 10 days ago.  And they would have to “suck it up”.  Reminds me of the stretch last year into Penn St and then kind of limping into the Wisco game (played lethargic in the 1H)

Injury report will be interesting.  Hopefully Khobi can inject some juice into the run game starting this week.

Just 2 more games till the bye week.  Just need to beat UM and then Minny at home to get that much needed rest.

[KingPG21]

Any new news on Martin? Our run game has been lacking. Be nice to get him back, fresh set of legs. A bit more explosive than Turbo or Beebe

[MonteMarcaccini]

8 minutes ago, KingPG21 said:

Any new news on Martin? Our run game has been lacking. Be nice to get him back, fresh set of legs. A bit more explosive than Turbo or Beebe

When asked yesterday, Cig said “we are very optimistic about him”. Didn’t give a definitive return though

[str8baller]

18 hours ago, cthomas said:

I think this is the true trap game. After the effort and hype that went into the OSU game, a let down is almost inevitable. I listened to an OSU podcast and one of the things they mentioned was how beat up OSU was coming out of the IU game. I have to think we have some guys at less than 100% also. Hopefully, we can pull it together enough to get out of there with the win.I expect a war.

I think it would be more of a trap game if we had won. Our guys should be hungry. 
 

With that said, I picked this game at the beginning of the year as one of our tougher ones. I’m glad they’re in QB turmoil. 

[Napleshoosier]

Time for a beat down on UM!  

[Stuhoo]

 

[rayl456]

6 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

 

Grandpa Lloyd is thrilled, I’m sure.  LOL

[Demo]

1 hour ago, Stuhoo said:

 

They probably have no choice, but dropping a true Freshman in against Haines feels like a Christians vs the lions proposition. This might get gross.

[Stuhoo]

6 minutes ago, Demo said:

They probably have no choice, but dropping a true Freshman in against Haines feels like a Christians vs the lions proposition. This might get gross.

100% this.

One of our two offensive scores against OSU was because of a very, very short field after an interception. It is more than fair to think that if we could shake Sayin we will be able to 'super-shake' freshman Tommy Carr.

On the other hand, if we can confuse Carr the freshman, it is also fair to say that the easily confused Bryce Underwood could be in even more of a state.

[Pagoda]

12 minutes ago, Demo said:

They probably have no choice, but dropping a true Freshman in against Haines feels like a Christians vs the lions proposition. This might get gross.

Hope so.  When new QBs like Carr unexpectedly come in they can have some success.  Riaola vs. USC is another example.

Then once opponents can scout them and prep for them, they come down to earth a bit.  There is also the dynamic of knowing you're the starter and the pressure that comes with that.  Even tougher as a freshman.

Hopefully that's the case.  It's still a 7 pt line, so I still think this will be a tight game until the end unfortunately.  My nerves are getting frayed.  

[skhoosier2]

3 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

100% this.

One of our two offensive scores against OSU was because of a very, very short field after an interception. It is more than fair to think that if we could shake Sayin we will be able to 'super-shake' freshman Tommy Carr.

On the other hand, if we can confuse Carr the freshman, it is also fair to say that the easily confused Bryce Underwood could be in even more of a state.

I think we see a combination of both QBs.  Bryce runs well and that is our kryptonite.  Throwing Carr to the wolves seems like a huge ask.  They have not seen a defense of this calibur yet (Iowa is below).  They also haven't played anyone with a decent offense.  I know their defense is highly rated but if Iowa can move the ball we should be able to as well.  However with that being said, Illinois moved the ball against OSU at OSU, and we were at home looking pedestrian.  Lots of talk about Hoover having a shoulder injury.  Hopefully he is 90% for the game.  We need this one in order to keep our chances at Indy alive.

[Stuhoo]

Every Tommy Carr play against Penn State is below. Some takeaways:

• While he threw incompletions into traffic a few times, he was very accurate when receivers were open.
• Every single play except for one was a zero pressure throw or run.
• Every single throw appeared to be to his first read.