Indiana prepares for Michigan after 22-game winning streak ends

No. 6 Indiana is preparing to visit Michigan on Saturday, October 24, for its first game since a 19-15 loss to Ohio State ended a 22-game winning streak. The Hoosiers are trying to avoid consecutive losses for the first time under coach Curt Cignetti, according to the Associated Press; Indiana University lists the game in Ann Arbor for noon.

The defeat left Indiana at 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten, the AP reported. It was the team's first loss in 23 games and also ended a 19-game home winning streak. The immediate test is how a team accustomed to winning responds to a physical defeat before another conference game.

Cignetti and Becker focus on recovery and missed chances

Receiver Charlie Becker pointed to opportunities Indiana failed to take against Ohio State. ‘We watched the tape, we're going to get better,’ he said, adding that the receivers had made things difficult for their quarterback and could do more to help the team. Cignetti praised Indiana's effort against Ohio State while acknowledging that the team must produce another strong performance this week.

Indiana nearly overcame a late deficit against Ohio State, as it had done at Nebraska two weeks earlier, the AP reported. Cignetti said his defense made tactical concessions to double-cover Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith while trying to pressure the quarterback. The coach said the Buckeyes still found some running opportunities, but he considered Indiana's overall effort outstanding.

Indiana's previous rebound and its Michigan record

The last time Indiana entered a game after a loss was in late November 2024, following a 38-15 defeat at Ohio State. The Hoosiers answered by beating Purdue 66-0 and securing their first College Football Playoff berth. They then lost 27-17 at Notre Dame in their first playoff game on December 20, 2024, before beginning the 22-game run that Ohio State has now ended.

That run included Indiana's first Big Ten title since 1967 and the first national championship in program history, according to the AP. The program also produced its first Heisman Trophy winner. Those achievements give the Michigan trip a different setting from Indiana's previous attempt to recover from a defeat: the Hoosiers now have a title-winning season behind them as they seek to resume winning.

Michigan entered the week at 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the Big Ten, having scored a conference-low 136 points, the AP reported. Indiana beat Michigan 20-15 at home in 2024; the teams did not meet in 2025. A win on Saturday would be Indiana's first in Ann Arbor since 1967 and its second consecutive victory in the series for the first time since 1958-59.