Jim Harbaugh addresses the idea of Indiana being a 'trap game'

On3 imageby:Kaiden Smith10/03/22

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Michigan is off to a hot start to the season following their 27-14 win over Iowa this weekend. The Wolverines are just one of 16 undefeated teams in the country at the moment, ranked No. 4 in the country for the fifth consecutive week in the AP Poll. If the season ended today, they’d be in the College Football Playoff, but there’s still a lot of football to be played this season, including their next matchup versus Indiana.

A reporter asked head coach Jim Harbaugh if this game was a trap game, as he spoke on what the Wolverines will need to do to avoid the trap waiting for them in Bloomington this weekend.

“Just attacking the day, we know it’ll be a big challenge, darn good football team, always played us tough and good,” Harbaugh said. “Similar to Iowa, ton of respect for how they play, consider them a blue-collar team that always has a lot of talented guys and is really well coached.”

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Indiana started off the season fast with three straight wins, including a come-from-behind conference win over Illinois in week 1. After their 3-0 start to the season though, the Hoosiers suffered back-to-back losses on the road to Cincinnati and Nebraska, and will be looking to get back on track at home this weekend against Michigan.

Indiana’s offensive attack is primarily through the air, as quarterback Conor Bazelak currently ranks third in the Big Ten in passing yards with 1,394 yards in the air this season. The Wolverines will definitely have to limit Bazelak’s production on Saturday to secure a win, but on the defensive side of the ball, they’ll also have to key in on linebacker Cam Jones, who currently leads the Big Ten in tackles with 54.

“We’re gonna have to play good, it’s always gonna come down to that, whatever tag you put on a game it comes down to if you play good,” Harbaugh said.

The last time Michigan traveled to Indiana was for a week 3 matchup in 2020, where the Hoosiers pulled off an upset victory over the Wolverines defeating them 38-21. Michigan looks a lot different this season than they did in 2020, now with College Football Playoff experience and a Big Ten Championship win under their belt.

Some players from that 2020 squad are still on the Wolverine’s roster, and surely remember the details of the trap game just two years ago, as them and Harbaugh look to stay undefeated and avoid a loss this year’s matchup.