Thirty years ago, the Michigan football team found itself on the brink of a tie game on Homecoming, unheard of at the time. With six seconds to go, Anthony Carter, a freshman at the time who would go on to become one of the greatest wide receivers in Wolverine history, told quarterback John Wangler to get him the ball.

Well, we could try to set the scene more, or you could watch the clip on YouTube and hear legendary commentator Bob Ufer give the play the justice we never could in print.

So, here Michigan is — same opponent, also on Homecoming, with a similarly cocky freshman taking over the offensive unit.

Tate Forcier, welcome to Big Ten season.

The Wolverines' hotshot young quarterback needs to buckle down as his team gets ready for the conference slate, especially if Michigan hopes to fulfill expectations that have rocketed since the beginning of the season.

Michigan passing offense vs. Indiana passing defense
Forcier was notching impressive numbers in the air until Saturday against Eastern Michigan, which means the Wolverines are now averaging just 168.3 passing yards per game, compared to their opponents’ 235. The Wolverines’ receiving corps is looking much better going into this year’s Big Ten season, with Greg Mathews playing well and Junior Hemingway emerging as a deep threat when he can stay healthy.

Last week, Indiana had four interceptions in its 38-21 win against Akron. The Hoosiers are ranked second in the conference with nine sacks this season. Indiana’s defensive line – led by defensive ends Greg Middleton and Jammie Kirlew – is feeling confident and is markedly better than it was last year. But this Saturday’s game will be the Hoosiers’ first real test. Against Forcier and Co. at the Big House, they won’t pass it.

Edge: Michigan

Michigan rushing offense vs. Indiana rushing defense
Michigan is third in the nation in rushing yards per game with 270.7. Much of that can be attributed to running back Carlos Brown, who lit up the Big House last weekend with his 187 rushing yards, including a 90-yard touchdown run. Brown is averaging 79.3 yards per game, and he leads the Wolverines’ deepest position — even though senior running back Brandon Minor won’t be healthy, Brown showed last week he can more than pick up the slack. Throw quarterback Denard Robinson and his fast feet in the mix, and the Wolverines are lethal on the ground.

Akron managed just 106 yards on the ground against Indiana’s defense, and the Hoosiers only allowed 76 yards to Western Michigan, who Michigan beat in the first game of the season. The defense may look impressive on paper, but expect it to crumble when faced with Michigan’s deep arsenal of running backs.

Edge: Michigan

Michigan rushing defense vs. Indiana rushing offense
After holding Western Michigan to just 38 rushing yards, the Wolverines have allowed 167.5 rushing yards over their last two games. Entering Big Ten play, it’s a statistic Michigan coach Rodriguez isn’t comfortable with.

The Wolverine defensive line should hold down the pass rush, but Hoosier tailback Demetrius McCray could break out. The fifth-year senior is having the best season of his career and leads Indiana with 228 rushing yards, including a 59-yard outburst against Western Michigan.

Freshman defensive end Craig Roh had one of the best games of his young career last week, tallying 13 tackles and picking up Defensive Player of the Game honors. McCray should be a test for the Wolverines, but nothing they can’t handle.

Edge: Michigan

Michigan passing defense vs. Indian passing offense
In less than nine months, Hoosier quarterback Ben Chappell has gone from a mind-numbingly bad backup to a legitimate starter.

After completing just 52.3 percent of his 155 passes last season, the junior has shown marked improvement. Chappell is tied for fourth in the Big Ten with a 68.5 completion percentage. A lot of that is due to Chappell’s protection up front. The Hoosiers’ seasoned offensive line has allowed only one sack this season.

But Chappell needs some targets, and Wolverine cornerbacks Donovan Warren and Boubacar Cissoko have controlled the passing game too well this season to let this one slip up. The biggest issue will be which Michigan defensive backs will step in if Indiana uses three wideouts in its pistol offense.