Time: 8:00 PM EST
TV: ABC
Location: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City
Weather: 38 degrees with rain in the afternoon
Line: Michigan +8
Iowa has been a unique team this year. They should have lost to a D1AA Northern Iowa week one put blocked two field goals in the final seconds. They then go to Happy Valley and beat a top 10 Penn State team in their own house. Then last week, they come back home and beat Arkansas State a Sun Belt team (which sounds more like a fashion accessory then a football conference) by 3 points. Either way you slice it, Iowa is sitting at 5-0 at the top the Big Ten Standings. (No wonder Lloyd Carr liked Kirk Ferentz so much, that is exactly how Carr's Michigan teams played)
Iowa this year has been doing it with defense, which really doesn't have a weakness. They have a strong defensive line and aggressive defensive backs. If you remember, what turned the Penn State game was the defense creating turnovers and scoring off a fumble return.
Iowa defense has been strong but the offense has been inconsistent. Ricky Stanzi, Iowa's QB has been getting off to slow starts this year and almost gave Arkansas State a win last week with a late pick 6. He has thrown 8 touchdowns this year with 7 picks.
Michigan we all know too well. The running game that has been electric the first 4 weeks hit the skids last week with a total of 28 yards. Michigan's right side of it's offense line decided to take the day off and not block anyone and Tate Forcier was rushed into quick and sometime poor throws. The running backs didn't gain any thing and the rushing yardage mostly came from Tate's scrambles late in the game. Michigan's WR also had trouble catching the ball with 4 or 5 drops that killed drives.
Michigan's defense on the other hand, played a "bend but don't break" defense effectively most of the day, only allowing State 20 points in regulation and shutting down State's running back attack.
Key's to the Game:
- Michigan's O Line vs Iowa's D Line: This is a mis-match in Iowa's favor. Can Michigan pass protect or get running lanes for the running backs? If the answer is no, it's a long day for the Michigan offense.
-Michigan's D needs to stand tall. The Michigan D needs to play it's best game of the year and create turnovers and short fields for the Offense. Michigan will have trouble with 80-90 yard drives.
-The Weather, it will be cold in Iowa with a wet track from a day of rain. I hope the Florida kids are ready for this.
I hope it's not that cold at Kinnick Stadium at Kickoff!
Mix another drink if:
- Iowa's Defense Dominates
- Michigan thinks it's 38 degrees Celsius
- Michigan can't run the ball
- Michigan's offense line continues to struggle with out Molk
- Snaps are flying around the yard
- Michigan's defense bends and breaks
Sing "Hail to the Victors" if:
- Michigan has 200 yards on the ground
- Tate continue to play great and throws for 200
- Michigan's Defense can stop the run and put pressure on Stanzi
- Minor is 100% healthy and runs angry
- The Michigan D gets 3 or more turnovers
GO BLUE!
2 comments:
The fan in me is looking at this game through maze colored glasses, however, "trying" to be objective I look at the Iowa offense verses Michigan's defense and I like Michigan. There are times when defense and special teams can score for you. I think this is possible if not likely. I don't see Michigan's offense taking two consecutive weeks off. They should play better even against a better defense. So I think Michigan has a shot here, especially since Iowa took a week off against NI and AS.
I agree Michigan has a shot and a decent one if they can get some turnovers or special teams scores. The offense line has to play much, much better. The little things killed them against MSU.
I also really think, Michigan is going to block a punt in the near future.
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