Date: October 16, 2010Time: 3:30 EST
TV: ABCLocation: Big House
Line: Iowa -3
Weather: 64 and Sunny
Both Iowa and Michigan were off last weekend. One team earned a Big Ten loss the other didn't. This picture on Michigan's last drive pretty much sums up the Michigan State game for the Wolverines:
I hope the Wolverines have had a good week of practice and were able to fix some issues on defense. The linebacker play has to improve and the defensive ends have to be better. If you watched the West Virgina - South Florida game last night you saw the 3-3-5 defense be effective. The key difference in my mind is that the front 3 have to be able to get pressure on the QB. Michigan's front 3 (outside of Martin) are not playing well or getting pressure or hitting the running backs.
Iowa has had health issues with their running backs and will try to trick the Wolverines linebackers and young secondary with some play action fakes. Iowa saw State run through some big holes and will try to run the ball but Ricky Stanzi will for sure try to attack the Michigan secondary. Can Michigan get one of Ricky's famous pick 6's? Let's hope so. Maybe Donovan Warren can come back for a game. Iowa is not as explosive as State in the running game but they do have 3 strong WR's.
The only thing Michigan needed to fix on offense was some decision making. MSU didn't do anything special on defense they just got the balls thrown to them. Iowa on the other hand does have a "special" defense and has the #1 scoring defense in the country only giving up 10 points a game. Michigan's high powered offense vs Iowa's defense. Can Michigan's offensive line handle Adrian Clayborn and Iowa's defensive line? Iowa is a better version of Michigan State on defense.
Tale of The Tape:
Michigan Offense vs Iowa's Defense = Push
Iowa's Offense vs Michigan's Defense = Iowa
Special Teams = Push (both teams are pretty poor)
Intangibles = Push (Iowa was off and Michigan at home)
It's homecoming for the Wolverines so expect that guy doing the locomotive Michigan cheer. I think teams coming off a loss are pretty dangerous and sometimes a team coming off a bye can be rusty. Since 2002 Big Ten teams are 17-32 coming off a bye week which is a .347 winning percentage.
Iowa has lost a game when they traveled West to take on Arizona this year. Iowa got behind quickly and fought their way back to only lose at the end. Iowa gave up 34 in that game. I thought Michigan played well at Iowa last year and all most won when Denard came in late and drove the team for a TD but then threw a pick on the last drive.
Sing Hail to the Victors if......
- Denard makes decisions like he did in the first 5 games
- There is a new starting middle linebacker
- Michigan can move the ball and score on Iowa
- Michigan doesn't play tight and really focused after the State loss
- Shaw is healthy and getting yards on the ground
- Michigan gets points out of special teams
- The Michigan wide receivers still have the "dropsy"
- The Iowa defensive line looks like they could take the hand offs in the Michigan backfield
- The Michigan D continues their bend and break defense
- Michigan loses the turnover battle
I am torn on this game. Michigan plays well against Iowa but Iowa has a really good defense. I think Michigan can get a few stops on defense but can they score on Iowa? Denard went "Tebow" in the Wolverine locker room after the loss against State. Will that have an effect on the Wolverines? Michigan is a better team then they were last year when they met Iowa, I think Iowa was better last year.
I didn't like anything I saw from the Wolverines last week, they played tight, they made mistakes on offense and gave up big plays on defense. This game is a turning point for the Wolverines in 2010. If they win they are back on Sportscenter, if they lose they are trending towards the 2009 collapse. I think one of the biggest questions on Saturday: will the Wolverines be hungry and really try to get bowl eligible? I don't like the match ups in this game and I hope I'm wrong. Iowa 24 Michigan 14
Go Blue!
