Michigan defeated Indiana in overtime, 27-20, on Saturday in Bloomington. It certainly wasn't pretty, but the Wolverines found a way to get the job done.
The defense was dominant — as usual — and junior running back Karan Higdon's 200 yards and three touchdowns paced the offense.
Michigan's passing game was nonexistent once again, though, as fifth-year senior quarterback John O'Korn only completed 10 of his 20 passes for 58 yards.
Penalties were also a major issue for the Maize and Blue, racking up a school-record 16 against the Hoosiers.
Find out what they're saying about the offense's struggles, the defense's dominance and much more here:
John Borton, TheWolverine.com: Michigan Football: Wolverines Win An Overtime Thriller, 27-20
"Karan Higdon knew he had to make something happen. That something allowed No. 17 Michigan to dodge a road bullet at Indiana.
"The junior tailback’s 25-yard overtime cutback touchdown run put the Wolverines over the top at Indiana, 27-20, in an overtime hair-raiser. Higdon capped his 25-carry, 200-yard, three-TD day by running into a brick wall on the right side of Michigan’s line, bolting back left and outrunning all 11 pursuing Hoosiers.
"'I got the ball, saw the hole was clogged, and I needed to make something happen. So I bounced it, saw the defense over-pursued, and it was off to the races,' Higdon said.
"Fifth-year senior center Pat Kugler admitted going the wrong way on the game-winning play.
"'I knew it, but you can’t stop in the middle of a play,' Higdon said with a grin. 'It’s football, so you’ve got to make something happen.'
"The Wolverines made something happen, following Indiana’s 10-point rally in the final 3:27 to send the game to overtime. Even after Higdon scored, Indiana had a chance to tie it and extend an already nerve-fraying afternoon.
"The Hoosiers didn’t, although they came beating on the door. They drove to the Michigan 1-yard line, where they were thrown back twice before harried quarterback Peyton Ramsey heaved a final throw into the end zone that junior safety Tyree Kinnel picked off.
"The survival pushed Michigan to 5-1, 2-1 in the Big Ten, while dropping Indiana to 3-3, 0-3 in the conference."
Trevor Woods, Maize N Brew: Takeaways from Michigan’s 27-20 win over Indiana
"Offensive line was impressive
"This was by far the best game for Michigan’s offensive line. The unit gave John O’Korn time to throw for most of his attempts and excelled in run blocking, providing big holes for Karan Higdon and Ty Issac to navigate through. Tim Drevno had this unit prepared and focused after less than stellar showings to this point in the season.
"A very positive development for Michigan, as an offensive line drastically impacts whether a team can be a championship contender or not. Steady as she goes, but the performance was one that should leave the team and fans optimistic that they can be a force to be reckoned with, not bludgeoned."
"2. John O’Korn is not as bad as you think.
"Sure, he is still too jittery in the pocket. And he might miss a couple of reads here and there.
"But, for the most part, this is what his life is like on passing plays: drop back, immediately face pressure, try to sidestep that pressure, scramble to the left or right to avoid that pressure, whip the ball downfield to a covered receiver.
"Even when O’Korn has time — and he rarely does — U-M’s receivers are not creating enough separation. Forcing him to throw into these tight windows would be tough for Tom Brady.
"This is not to say that O’Korn brings All-America talent to the huddle. He does not. He does, however, bring toughness, a solid arm and good mobility."
Jesse Smith, SaturdayBlitz.com: Michigan Football: 3 Takeaways from win over Indiana
"Everywhere Jim Harbaugh has coached, he has made an immediate change in the culture and ultimately they start winning: San Diego State, Stanford, San Francisco (NFL) and Michigan. He won and is currently winning, but honeymoons don’t last. Harbaugh is 24-7 overall and has gotten his team to a bowl game both full years during this tenure in Michigan (he is currently in his third season).
"His team was 6-2 in 2015, but losses to Michigan State and Ohio State soured the success. In 2016, the Wolverines had a conference record of 7-2, but a huge loss to Ohio State at the end of the season put a slight diaper on the team’s success. On a positive note they knocked off Michigan State last season, but in his first two seasons against teams major rivals he was 1-3. It takes time to right the ship, but when you win people expect it come to fruition a lot faster.
"Two 10-win seasons are nothing to sneeze at, but after losing to Michigan State at home last Saturday, Michigan Twitter was pretty [upset], maybe irrational, but it happened and now a 27-20 win in overtime against Indiana may have added gasoline."
Ryan Zuke, MLive: 5 things being talked about after Michigan's OT win over Indiana
"22 straight
"Saturday's win was the Wolverines' 22nd straight over Indiana and their 37th in the past 38 meetings. Nevertheless, five of the past seven games have been decided by 10 points or fewer, including the last three.
"Penalties
"Michigan entered Saturday as one of the most penalized teams in the Big Ten, and it was flagged 16 more times for 141 yards against Indiana.
"The Wolverines had 11 penalties in the first half, including a holding call on cornerback David Long late in the second quarter that kept the drive alive.
"Maurice Hurst was flagged for roughing the passer later on the drive on third-and-10 from the Michigan 29. Indiana had to settle for a field goal, but the Wolverines had opportunities to get off the field earlier on that drive.
"The offense also had several costly penalties, most notably an unsportsmanlike conduct call on receiver Kekoa Crawford in the second quarter. The Wolverines were pushed back 15 yards to their own 42, and they had to punt four plays later."
Adam Biggers, FanRagSports: What we learned in Michigan’s escape from Indiana
"Defense bends but holds on
"Prior to Saturday, Michigan hadn’t allowed one point during any fourth quarter. The Hoosiers answered with 10 in the final frame, forcing overtime.
"Prior to Saturday, Michigan had allowed just two rushing touchdowns and one big run. Indiana freshman Morgan Ellison scored an eight-yard touchdown — the third allowed by Michigan this year — after busting off a 31-yard carry. Madre London had a 50-yard gain during Michigan State’s 14-10 win this past Saturday over Michigan, the first gashing rush against the Wolverines in 2017.
"Tyree Kinnel’s interception in overtime sealed the deal, and he had a critical pass breakup with 7:33 to play in the third quarter, forcing Indiana into another 3-and-out while trailing 13-10."
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