After a week of Jim Harbaugh misdirection, Michigan started backup John O'Korn against Indiana in Ann Arbor after starter Wilton Speight suffered a reported broke collarbone in a loss to Iowa.
The Wolverine offense started sluggish—Indiana led 7-3 at halftime—but Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Tim Drevno made adjustments that snowballed to a 17-point Wolverine quarter that ultimately overwhelmed the Hoosiers.
Once Michigan got up, it never looked back, despite snowy conditions that worsened in the fourth quarter; final score: 20-10 on Senior Day.
O'Korn never dominated, but UM never needed him to. He finished with 7 for 16 with 59 passing yards. Most importantly, he never threw an interception and recored a key 30-yard scramble in the second half to rescue the Wolverines from a dire third-down situation.
Senior Wolverine running back (and Warren, Ohio native) De'Veon Smith finished with 160 yards and two touchdowns on 22 attempts.
Most importantly, it set the stage for the biggest Ohio State–Michigan game since 2006. No. 2 Michigan traveled to No. Ohio State that year and fell 42-39.
Michigan, like Ohio State, is now 10-1. The next rendition of The Game kicks off November 26th at 12 p.m. on ABC. It will be a de facto playoff quarterfinal.
Michigan fans didn't take long to turn their focus:
"Beat Ohio" chants now ringing at the Big House.
— Mike Sullivan (@MikeSullivan) November 19, 2016
