Michigan’s trip to Iowa has all the ingredients for a grind, and if this one turns into the kind of field-position fight the matchup suggests, the score could stay stuck in the mud for four quarters.
That’s the big picture behind three bold calls for Saturday: fewer than 20 total points, an Iowa shutout, and a 13-0 Michigan win. After last week’s 52-17 cruise past UTEP, the Wolverines enter this one coming off a much cleaner outing than the first half suggested.
The earlier bold predictions missed across the board, but they weren’t completely off base. Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter didn’t reach the combined 250 yards and four touchdowns that was forecast, but both turned in their best games of the season and finished with three total touchdowns between them.
The projected 38-0 score didn’t land either, though Michigan’s 35-point win was close enough to keep the idea intact.
Now comes a much tougher test, and one that could drag both offenses into the deep end. Michigan beat Iowa 10-3 back in 2019 in one of the slowest games imaginable, and a similar script wouldn’t be shocking here.
Both defenses have been strong so far, while Iowa’s offense still has plenty to prove. The Hawkeyes put up 55 on Northern Iowa last week, but before that they managed just 16 at home against an Iowa State team that isn’t very good.
For all the buzz around Iowa’s attack, the body of work is still thin.
Michigan’s offense has its own questions, too. Week 1 against Western Michigan was a mess, but the Wolverines have clearly improved since then. Bryce Underwood’s legs should matter again, just like they did against Oklahoma, though this still doesn’t look like a game where Michigan piles up points.
The shutout call is the boldest of the bunch, but it’s not out of the question. Iowa’s history is full of solid teams paired with clunky offenses, and while this year’s version looks better than past editions, Michigan has the defense to make life miserable. There’s also extra fuel after comments from Iowa wide receiver Tony Diaz, which should only sharpen the Wolverines’ edge.
Still, the deciding factor may be ball security. If Michigan is sloppy the way it was last week, Iowa can turn mistakes into points and swing the game.
If the Wolverines protect the ball and force Iowa to march the length of the field, they should like their chances. That’s the path to a low-scoring Michigan victory, and the prediction here is a 13-0 final.
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