Michigan Wolverines football is looking to recover from a stunning 27-24 loss to Michigan State last weekend, after U-M was favored to win by 21 points. The Maize and Blue, ranked No. 23 in the latest AP Poll, are set to travel to take on No. 13 Indiana at noon on Nov. 7.

Here are five key questions we have heading into Michigan's matchup with the Hoosiers:

RELATED: Jim Harbaugh Doesn't Question Energy vs. MSU

RELATED: Michigan's Carlo Kemp: 'Only Way To Move On' Is To Beat Indiana

RELATED: Keys To The Game Vs. Indiana

This is the week's No. 1 question, above any element of the game in which Michigan struggled in last week (there were a lot). Head coach Jim Harbaugh often says, coming off a loss, that the Wolverines "can't let the same team beat us twice."

And, for the most part, Michigan has done a good job turning momentum around after setbacks, touting an 8-1 record in regular-season contests after a loss during the Harbaugh era.

But this time, it's different. Not only are the Maize and Blue coming off one of the worst losses — considering all the circumstances — in recent memory, but Indiana has proven to be a more than formidable opponent in the season's early going, after upsetting then-No. 8 Penn State in week one and dominating Rutgers (more so than the 37-21 final score showed) this past weekend.

It's on the coaching staff and the team's leadership to make sure the Wolverines go from one of the lowest points it has experienced in recent years to a point where it rises to the occasion against the No. 13 team in the country just seven days later.

Michigan's offensive performance was encouraging in week one, after the squad put up 49 points (with seven being attributed to a defensive score) on a ranked Minnesota team in its own building — all with a quarterback making his first start behind four new starters on the line.

However, the Gophers lost a lot on the defensive side of the ball, making it tough to predict how U-M's display would age. That was even more apparent in week two, when a Maryland squad that had gotten blown out, 43-3, by Northwestern (and gained only 207 total yards) the week prior was able to take down Minnesota in overtime and amass 675 yards of offense.

Michigan State played more inspired football than Michigan, but the Spartans had players simply outplaying the Wolverines in the technical aspect of the game. Michigan's offensive line had little push up front, and the Spartans' A-gap blitzes made life difficult on U-M all afternoon.

Indiana's defense doesn't appear to be a 'great' group, by any measure, but the blueprint is out there now on how to take advantage of Michigan's weaknesses. Adjustments must be made here to put the Wolverines in spots to not only utilize their strengths (outside runs, etc.), but to attack the Hoosiers' pitfalls.

Position coach Ed Warinner's group was lauded by many following the Minnesota win, with a starting five consisting of four new starters dominating at the point of attack. But the Michigan State game showed that there's still a lot for them to improve on.

The Wolverines' top offensive lineman against the Spartans was right tackle Jalen Mayfield, who graded out with an above-average mark (but still below expectations) at 68.8, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). Fortunately for Michigan, Mayfield's X-ray results came back negative after he left the contest in the fourth quarter.

The rest of Michigan's starting offensive line graded out in the bottom half of all offensive players, per PFF — redshirt junior left guard Chuck Filiaga (60.4), redshirt junior right guard Andrew Stueber (59.5), redshirt sophomore left tackle Ryan Hayes (58.0) and fifth-year senior center Andrew Vastardis (56.1) — which is a disappointing development.

Michigan was unable to rush the ball inside, running between the tackles nine times for a total of five yards (not including sacks and quarterback scrambles). In comparison, the Wolverines ran it outside the tackles 16 times for 109 yards (6.8 yards per carry) and three touchdowns. It's unclear why coordinator Josh Gattis and the Wolverines didn't attack the edges more, but Michigan's inability to run up the gut is even more concerning.

Where will the Wolverines go from here?

The entirety of Michigan's team needs to bounce back in order to win in Bloomington and get the season back on track. One position group, in particular, that needs a confidence boost after a tough loss is the cornerbacks, specifically No. 1 corner and redshirt sophomore Vincent Gray, who was benched after struggling against Michigan State.

The loss of senior Ambry Thomas, who opted out of the season and declared for the NFL Draft, was magnified last week, with the group allowing 323 yards through the air and five passing plays of 30 yards or more, in addition to the four key penalties the group committed while in coverage.

Which leads us to our next question ...

Sophomore safety Daxton Hill has played a high number of snaps in the nickel, but he may have to be moved to the outside, out of necessity, considering he is regarded by Harbaugh and coordinator Don Brown as one of the best cover men in the conference. He's allowed the player he's guarding to record just 16 yards this season on two completions while being targeted six times.

Whether or not Hill makes the switch, Michigan needs its other corners — Gray, redshirt sophomore Gemon Green, and redshirt freshmen Jalen Perry and DJ Turner (who has been hurt) — to step up.

Hoosiers senior wide receiver Whop Philyor, an All-Big Ten selection last season, is an excellent pass catcher and will pose problems if coverage issues aren't cleaned up or more help isn't given by the safeties over the top. Additionally, redshirt sophomore quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has been dynamic this year, completing 58 percent of his passes for 408 yards and four touchdowns.

---

• Talk about this article inside The Fort

• Watch our videos and subscribe to our YouTube channel

• Listen and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes

• Learn more about our print and digital publication, The Wolverine

• Sign up for our daily newsletter and breaking news alerts

• Follow us on Twitter: @TheWolverineMag, @Balas_Wolverine, @EJHolland_TW, @AustinFox42, @JB_ Wolverine, Clayton Sayfie and @DrewCHallett

• Like us on Facebook