While the focus will be on what happens Saturday afternoon, Indiana and Michigan have a  history that dates back to 1900. The Hoosiers enter this year's matchup with an all-time record of just 11-62 against Michigan, including an away record of 7-41.

Indiana has not beaten Michigan very many times over the last 120+ years, but the Hoosiers are 1-0 in the most recent matchup between the two programs giving Curt Cignetti a small, but winning record against the winningest program in college football history. Michigan has dominated the series, but Indiana has been more dominant overall as of late.

Indiana's longest winning streak in the series is just two back in 1944 and 1945. For Michigan, its longest win streak is 24, from 1988 to 2019.

The most recent matchup between Indiana and Michigan was in November of 2024. Cignetti and the Hoosiers eked out the Wolverines 20-15 in Bloomington as IU moved to 10-0 in Cig's first year at the helm, the best start in program history.

The No. 8 Hoosiers jumped out to a 17-3 halftime lead behind quarterback Kurtis Rourke, who threw for 206 yards and two touchdowns, but Michigan battled back in the second half to make things interesting. After the Wolverines pulled within two points in the fourth quarter, Indiana's defense came up with crucial stops, while a big punt return by Ke'Shawn Williams helped set up a late field goal. Curt Cignetti's squad ultimately held on, securing the program's first 10-win season and keeping its College Football Playoff hopes alive.

Over the last five meetings, Indiana has gone 2-3 against Michigan. 

2024: Indiana 20, Ohio State 7

2023: Indiana 7, Michigan 52

2022: Indiana 10, Michigan 31

2021: Indiana 7, Michigan 29

2020: Indiana 38, Michigan 21

When you look at the overall record, this is one of the most lopsided "rivalries" in the Big Ten. Michigan was a powerhouse program for a long time, while Indiana is very new to these levels of success. Curt Cignetti has certainly raised Indiana's football program to new levels, but Michigan is Michigan and they have dominated the Hoosiers through the years.

The most recent game in the series is probably the most significant for the Hoosiers. The victory pushed Cignetti's Hoosiers to 10-0 for the first time in program history and secured Indiana's first-ever 10-win season. It was especially significant because Michigan entered the season as the defending national champion, and Indiana was enjoying one of the greatest seasons in school history.

Breaking a 33-year losing streak against Michigan made it one of the defining moments of Indiana's resurgence under Cignetti.

Of course, past results don't determine what happens on Saturday in Ann Arbor. The two teams entering this year's matchup are different from ones that played in all previous matchups.

For the first time this season, Indiana is hitting the field after a loss, while the Wolverines are coming off a win against Penn State and are likely making a massive change at quarterback. There's a lot of intrigue in this one even though most expect the Hoosiers to cruise.

The history between these programs adds another layer to Saturday's matchup. Indiana will look to elevate its play in order to beat one of the sport's biggest boys and chip away at that lopsided all-time record, while Michigan hopes it can find more offensive success with a new signal caller under center.