Breakdown: Ground game key vs. Hoosiers November 1, 2014: Indiana ghe ffiidgianlaUlj By ALEXA DETTELBACH Daily Sports Editor While Michigan football coach Brady Hoke said Monday his team isn't focused on making a bowl game, there's little else for the Wolverines to aim for. Needing three more wins to qualify for a postseason bid, the quest begins Saturday when Michigan hosts Indiana in its annual Homecoming game. Last year's matchup was a shootout that Michigan won, 63-47, in which then-redshirt junior quarterback Devin Gardner accounted for five touchdowns and almost 600 yards of offense. And while this year's game could be a barnburner, this time, both teams sport struggling quarterbacks, so the ground game should dictate the matchup. Here's a breakdown of Michigan's meeting with the Hoosiers. Michigan pass offense vs. Indiana pass defense Here's the thing: if this is going to be a shootout like last year, it begins with the passing offense. Gardner has had a mostly down season that includes having not thrown for over 200 yards in a game while throwing just six touchdowns and 10 interceptions. But the flashes of greatness have been there and will be needed Saturday in order for Michigan (1-3 Big Ten, 3-5 overall) to keep up with Indiana's high-powered offense. Last week against Michigan State, junior wide receiver Devin Funchess had several bad drops, including a pair in the end zone. Gardner and the passing offense will need Funchess to show his big-play ability to move the ball. On the other side, Indiana's defense is suspect at best, giving up 34.9 points per game -105th in the country. The Hoosier secondary allows 283 yards per game and has forced six turnovers through eight games. Edge: Michigan Michigan rush offense vs. Fifth-year senior quarterback Devin Gardner will need to do some running of his own, beit designed or improvised, if he hopes to spark a stagnant offense. Indiana rush defense Since sophomore Derrick Green was ruled out for the season in early October, Michigan has struggled with running the ball. The Wolverines average 4.4 yards per rush behind a questionable offensive line. Sophomore running back De'Veon Smith and redshirt junior Justice Hayes have taken the bulk of Green's work, and Smith has scored in three of'his last four games. Michigan's protection will need to look out for defensive tackle Bobby Richardson, who leads Indiana (0-3, 3-4) with four sacks on the season. But overall, the Hoosier defensive front is hardly daunting, so Smith and Hayes should be able to make some plays. Edge: Michigan Indiana pass offense vs. Michigan pass defense Due to injuries, the Hoosiers are starting freshman Zander Diamont, their third quarterback of the season. Two weeks ago against Michigan State, Diamont made his first career start and threw for 11 yards on 5-of- 15 passing. While he's sure to improve on that performance, the young quarterback remains a question mark. Michigan's secondary has been up and down this season. The unit ranks seventh in the conference in pass defense, allowing 209.9 yards per game. Freshman cornerback Jabrill Peppers remains sidelined by an apparent leg injury, so a combination of redshirt junior Blake Countess, sophomore Jourdan Lewis and senior Raymon Taylor will man the secondary. Edge: Michigan Indiana rush offense vs. Michigan rush defense This is the key matchup to coveragehasbee watch. Indiana running back the season. Indi Tevin Coleman, who is on pace Oakes has been to run for more than 2,000 yards but the Hoosie this season, leads the nation in unit hasn't prods rushing, yards per carry, 100- and has yet tor yard games and yards from impact. scrimmage. The junior averages Edge: Michig an absurd 8.8 yards per carry and has rushed for at least 100 yards Intangibles in every game this season. Michigan's rush defense has Both teamsi been its strength all season, keep their hope save for last week's debacle berth alive. It's against Michigan State's Jeremy Michigan Stadi Langford. The Wolverines are Big House to be, 16th in the country in rush and former pla defense, allowing just 109.3 yards excitement. Bu per game. Something has got to will be positive., give here. the student sect Edge: Indiana pledged to wear ensolid formostof ana kicker Griffin good on kickoffs, rs' special-teams uced any big plays make much of an an need this one to es of a postseason Homecoming at m, so expect the filled with alumni ayers to generate it not everything All eyes will be on ion, as many have white in support ic Director Dave Michigan 27, Special teams Senior kicker Matt Wile has significantly improved since his slow start, and Michigan's kickoff of firing Athlet Brandon. Edge: Push Prediction: Indiana 21 GOING AS DAVE BRANDON OR BRADY HOKE FOR HALLOWEEN? TWEET US PICTURES: @THEBLOCKM SFootballSaturday, October 31, 201