You remember Rod Carey, the former head coach at Northern Illinois and Temple? He's the new offensive coordinator at Indiana replacing Walt Bell, who was let go last week during the Hooisers' bye week.

Carey has a unique clause in his contract. He will earn a $50,000 bonus if Indiana is able to average 24 points a game. Carey isn't rushing off to the bank just yet, though, because his first game as offensive coordinator comes against Michigan. The Wolverines are the stingiest defensive team in the nation giving up a meager 6.7 points.

But I'm not taking this boatload of points with Indiana because of its offense, even though Carey probably put in a few new wrinkles during the bye last week, but because the Hooisers' defense can prevent a massacre.

That's hard to write after Indiana lost, 44-17, to Maryland in its last game. It was Indiana's worst game of the season. It's one of many reasons why Michigan is in a prime letdown spot. The Wolverines are returning home having slaughtered Nebraska, 45-7, and Minnesota, 52-10, on the road the past two weeks. They are fat and happy. The Wolverines also are at Michigan State next week. That long-time in-state rivalry matchup is a game that will motivate them, not this one.

Indiana is 2-3 with two of its losses occurring to third-ranked Ohio State, 23-3, and to 14th-rated Louisville, 21-14. It's proof the Hooisers can step up defensively against elite competition.