Here is an abbreviated preview since this has been a very hectic week.
RUSH OFFENSE vs. IOWA RUSH DEFENSE
Michigan is #91 in rushing offense (148 yards/game) and #97 yards per carry (4.1). The leading rusher is QB Bryce Underwood (33 carries, 156 yards, 2 touchdowns). Jordan Marshall, who is banged up, is the top running back with 34 carries for 135 yards and 2 TD. The next guy is true freshman Savion Hiter (24 carries, 83 yards, 2 TD), who may have to step into a starting role this week, followed by Bryson Kuzdzal (8 carries, 26 yards). Iowa is #11 in rushing defense (66 yards allowed/game) and #10 in yards allowed per carry (2.2). The leading tackler is LB Cam Buffington (6'3", 238) with 27, and he leads the team in tackles for loss with 3. LB Jayden Montgomery (5'11", 227) is second on the team with 2.5 TFL despite making just 8 tackles so far this season.
Advantage: Iowa
Hit the jump for more.
PASS OFFENSE vs. IOWA PASS DEFENSE
Michigan is #109 in passing offense (176 yards/game) and tied for #72 in yards per attempt (7.8). Underwood has his best passing day of the season last week (19/25, 223 yards, 2 TD) but he's still just #71 nationally in passer rating. WR Andrew Marsh (10 catches, 105 yards, 1 TD last week) finally got going, and WR J.J. Buchanan leads the team with 15 catches for 266 yards and 2 TD this year. Meanwhile, Iowa is #5 in pass defense (111 yards allowed/game), #5 in yards allowed per attempt (4.4), and #3 in passer rating against. They have allowed just 1 passing touchdown (to Iowa State) and made 3 interceptions (1 of Northern Illinois, 2 of Northern Iowa). Defensive ends Joseph Anderson (6'6", 241) and Drew Campbell (6'4", 252) lead the team with 2.0 and 1.5 sacks, respectively.
Advantage: Iowa
RUSH DEFENSE vs. IOWA RUSH OFFENSE
Michigan is #31 in rushing defense (96.3 yards allowed/game) and #20 in yards allowed per carry (2.7). The Wolverines have yet to allow a rushing touchdown. LB Troy Bowles leads the team with 25 tackles, followed by S Chris Bracy and LB Nathaniel Staehling, each with 16. Iowa is #10 in rushing offense (268 yards/game) and #1 in yards per carry (7.44). Strength of competition caveats apply, but Kamari Moulton (26 carries, 240 yards, 2 TD) averages 9.3 yards/carry, and two backups are averaging over 10 yards/carry each. Moulton did not play last week against Northern Iowa, so backups Braeden Jackson and Xavier Williams each ran for 125+ yards, while fellow backup Nathan McNeil ran for a paltry 111 yards and 2 touchdowns on 12 attempts. The offensive line is generally very good, especially LT Trevor Lauck.
Advantage: Michigan
PASS DEFENSE vs. IOWA PASS OFFENSE
Michigan is #8 in passing defense (123.7 yards allowed/game) and #16 in yards allowed per attempt (5.4). They held a weak Western Michigan passing offense to 4.2 yards/attempt, but Oklahoma QB John Mateer went 17/33 for 189 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. Last week against UTEP saw a couple somewhat fluke-y plays, especially a 45-yard touchdown on a short yardage play. Overall, CB Jyaire Hill and Michigan's secondary have been very good, and the only individual player to really give them issues was Oklahoma TE Rocky Beers. Iowa is #90 in passing offense (209 yards/game) and #104 in yards per attempt (6.7). They're #95 in passing efficiency. QB Hank Brown was perfect last week (12/12, 153 yards, 2 TD) and has a passer rating of 152.63. There's been a lot of hype about WR Tony Diaz this week, but then I looked at his stats and he has 17 catches for 201 yards and 1 TD. Is he solid? Sure. His stats aren't anything special after playing a few weak opponents. TE D.J. Vonnahme (6'4", 241) has 6 catches for 67 yards in two games played so far this year.
Advantage: Michigan
ROSTER NOTES
- Iowa players from the state of Michgian include: S Ronnie Hill (Stevenson), S Ty Hudkins (Forest Hills Central), DT Jack Janda (Novi Catholic Central), S Deshaun Lee (Belleville), DE Kenneth Merrieweather (Detroit King), S Marcello Vitti (Divine Child)
- Iowa DE Drew Campbell is the brother of former Iowa and current Detroit Lions LB Jack Campbell
- Iowa DE Iose Epenesa is the brother of former Iowa and NFL DE A.J. Epenesa
- Iowa QB Jeremy Hecklinski is the nephew of former Michigan WR coach Jeff Hecklinski
- Iowa S Erin Kampman is the son of former Iowa and NFL DT Aaron Kampman
- Former NFL offensive coordinator Tom Moore (who coached for the Lions from 1994-1996 and the Colts from 1998-2008) is an offensive advisor for the Hawkeyes
PREDICTION
- Michigan 20, Iowa 17
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