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Free Press editors, Orion Sang, Nick Baumgardner and Shawn Windsor, discuss U-M's victory over Indiana and present their initial thoughts on the OSU game on November 17, 2018.
Nick Baumgardner, press
Three-year-old Rashan Gary and 10-year-old Devin Bush of Michigan take on Ronnie Walker (Indiana) in the first period on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018 at Ann Arbor's Michigan Stadium.(Photo: Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press)
Nick Baumgardner, sports editor for Free Press, examines which Michigan football players / groups helped or hurt their stock in Saturday's Saturday's 31- 20 victory against Indiana:
3 up
DE Rashan Gary
If Chase Winovich is injured, Michigan must have Rashan Gary. The best that he has to offer. On Saturday, Gary – in his third game due to a shoulder injury – racked up nine tackles (1 1/2 for a loss) with 1 1/2 sacks. He was active, he was often on the ground and he was trusted to play games. It was Gary's most productive and most productive game ever since he racked up 11 tackles and two sacks against Ohio State a year ago. If Winovich is absent or restricted next week, Gary must be at his best. Saturday was a start.
More: Michigan football wins in Indiana for 10th consecutive win, 31-20
LB Devin Bush Jr.
Bush showed his potential in the first round of the NFL when he exploded across the field to clinch a fake attempt to punt Indiana in the second half. He finished the match with 11 tackles (1 1/2 for a loss) and continued to establish himself as the best defensive player on the team. He could be the best linebacker in college football. Bush also recorded a passing break and a quarter haste and, as usual, he was everywhere for four quarters.
More: Chase Winovich Injury: Negative X-Rays, Uncertain Status for the Ohio State
QB Shea Patterson
Patterson launched his first interception in more than a month. But he also finished with 250 passing yards and a touchdown. He also resumed the race with 68 yards on nine occasions. It's important to remember that Michigan, for the most part, has abandoned much of its offensive over the past two weeks, when it has been actively trying to limit the number of times Patterson has hit the game to reading zone. It will be empty next week in Columbus and Patterson will be fully involved in all the wrinkles that Michigan has to offer. It's a very big list, by the way.
3 down
Third way
Indiana has always tried to get Bush out of the middle of the field in order to attack him. It has worked far too many times on Saturday and could be a problem next week against a passing attack from the Ohio State that likes to target the central third. Michigan must be stronger in the middle and aware of intersections in space. Quarterback Dwayne Haskins of Ohio State is not as mobile as Peyton Ramsey. But if Michigan leaves big ways, problems could arise.
Health
Winovich is one of the best players on this team. Jim Harbaugh seemed rather encouraged by Winovich's injury situation after the match, as all initial tests were negative. Suggesting that there is at least a chance that he will be in uniform next week. A limited Winovich is, of course, better than no Winovich. But if he can not play, it would be a huge loss for Michigan in the biggest game of the year.
Red zone
Michigan scored seven of his eight trips to the red zone. But the Wolverines had to score six goals on Saturday, a record in their program. This must stop. These long journeys that persist in or near the red zone will come back to haunt the Wolverines in a game similar to that of Ohio State. The best way to blow up a game is to leave the door open. This has been Michigan's biggest offensive case all season. We must leave now.
Contact Nick Baumgardner: [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
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