By the numbers: Some incredible streaks for Michigan football

Michigan Wolverines football is rolling along toward what could be yet another Big Ten championship. The Maize and Blue are No. 2 in the nation and undefeated at 6-0, continuing their dominance dating back to the beginning of the 2021 season.

They’ve won 31 of their last 34 games, including 22 consecutive regular-season tilts and 18 straight conference clashes (fifth longest in Big Ten history). With a win over Indiana this weekend, the Wolverines would make it 19 in a row, matching their program record set from 1990-92.

Michigan hasn’t just been winning, it’s been doing so by significant margins. The Wolverines have come out on top by 24 or more points in six straight games for the first time since 1992 (Oklahoma State, Houston, Iowa, Michigan State, Indiana, Minnesota).

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If the Wolverines are fortunate enough to continue the trend another week, it’ll be the first time with seven consecutive triumphs by 24-plus points since 1976 (Stanford, Navy, Wake Forest, Michigan State, Northwestern, Indiana and Minnesota). At least on paper, that’s expected to happen, with DraftKings Sportsbook listing them as 33.5-point favorites over the Hoosiers.

To win by large margins, Michigan has to score a lot of points. The Maize and Blue have put up 30-plus points in nine straight games — the longest streak in program history. The 1976 team previously held the record with eight such games in a row.

The world was a different place the last time Michigan lost a home tilt with fans in the stands, which was against Ohio State Nov. 30, 2019 (56-27). The current streak at The Big House is 19 wins, the program’s longest since 1998-2001 (21 games).

By the numbers: Michigan vs. Indiana

1st and goal is a situation the Michigan defense is unfamiliar with. No opponent has run a play inside the Wolverines’ 10-yard line this season. U-M ranks first nationally by allowing just 6.7 points per game, nearly three points fewer than No. 2 Penn State (9.6). Those are the only two programs giving up less than 10 points per outing. Michigan has allowed just 4 touchdowns and 4 field goals on the season. Two of those touchdowns and 1 of the field goals have come in the fourth quarter with the Wolverines’ backups in the game.

2 Career kick return touchdowns for Indiana return man and running back Jaylin Lucas. Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh pointed to him as a player to watch when speaking on the radio this week.

20 Pressures for Indiana redshirt senior defensive lineman Andre Carter, a Western Michigan transfer. That ranks No. 5 in the Big Ten and No. 28 in the Power Five.

23 Scholarship transfers are on Indiana’s roster this season. Ten have started at least one game and 19 have seen action on Saturdays. The Hoosiers returned only eight starters this season.

24.4 Points allowed per game for Indiana, which ranks 65th in the country. The Hoosiers are 66th in giving up 368.2 total yards per game — 156.4 rushing (91st) and 211.8 passing (50th).

61-10 Lead for Michigan in the series against Indiana. The Wolverines have won 26 of the last 27 meetings, with the Hoosiers’ last win coming in 2020.

76-0 Is the scoring margin in favor of Michigan during third quarters this season. The Wolverines have credited much of that to their halftime adjustments and strength and conditioning.

77.6 Completion percentage for Michigan junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy, which ranks third in the country. He also ranks fourth in pass efficiency (189.5) and sixth in yards per pass attempt (five-spot jump from last week; 10.44) and leads the Big Ten in all three categories. McCarthy has thrown 11 touchdown passes this season, one of two Big Ten signal-callers to hit the double-digit mark so far this season, joining Maryland’s Taulia Tagovailoa (14).

111th Is where Indiana ranks in total offense, putting up 334.2 yards per contest. Before this past week’s bye, head coach Tom Allen fired offensive coordinator Walt Bell and promoted analyst Rod Carey to the position.

185.2 Rushing yards per game for Michigan, which ranks 38th in the country. The Wolverines are recording 5.1 yards per carry, slotting 26th.