The Michigan Wolverines are 4-0 to start the season. However, all of the wins have come at the Big House. Week 5 is their first venture on the road and it comes at a tough place to play. Iowa will play host to the Wolverines in Kinnick Stadium, one of the Big Ten’s most hostile environments. Michigan will get a great road test versus Iowa.
Michigan On the Road Versus Iowa
The last time these two teams met, it was on a neutral field for the 2021 Big Ten Championship Game. It was very one sided affair as Michigan rolled to a 42-3 victory. The last time Michigan played in Iowa City was way back in 2016. The Wolverines came in unbeaten and ranked number two in the country. Iowa shocked Michigan and won 14-13. Obviously the teams are very different now but the situation feels the same. A struggling Iowa team hosts a top ranked Michigan team with College Football Playoff hopes. Is it possible that Iowa could pull off the upset again?
Could Iowa Upset Michigan?
Any time a team goes on the road, they have a chance to lose. College football has been full of upsets this season. The challenge for Iowa will be scoring enough points. Iowa hasn’t eclipsed 1,000 yards total on offense this season which puts them dead last in the Big Ten in terms of yardage. They average 17 points a game. The Wolverines on the other hand are averaging 50 points a game led by Blake Corum and an elite rushing attack. Iowa’s defense ranks third in the Big Ten in terms of yards and are only allowing 5.8 points per game. Will Iowa’s defense be able to slow down Michigan’s offense? Even if they do, will the offense be able to score against a solid Michigan defense?
Expect a Slugfest
This game will be a grindy game. Iowa will embrace the underdog role for this game and the crowd will be loud. Going into Iowa will be a great road test for Michigan. This will be JJ McCarthy’s first real test as well. It is easy to play at home against inferior opponents. This is a much harder feat on the road. It is worth noting that Maryland gave the Wolverines all they could handle. McCarthy never froze up or tried to force anything. He looked calm and collected running the offense. If he can keep that kind of calmness on the road, Michigan should be fine.
In my schedule preview, I put this game as a key game. Michigan’s schedule is fairly easy as they get Michigan State at home this year. Michigan having to go on the road to Iowa was a game that I had circled as a trap game. Jim Harbaugh and the coaching staff know this and will have the team prepared. Expect a slugfest on Saturday when these two teams face off.