Iowa vs. #4: Living on a prayer in 2022 for the Hawkeyes❓️

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Last season, Michigan QB JJ McCarthy threw his first road TD pass at Wisconsin, as the Wolverines won 38-17 to get to 2-0 in the Big Ten last season. Of course, it was his lone pass that game, as McCarthy threw it as QB2 for coach Jim Harbaugh in Madison last season.



Michigan last year opened the season 4-0 in Ann Arbor. Rinse & repeat for 2022, after Michigan made the change at QB, after a two week trial run.

Yes, McCarthy makes his first career road start at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, October 1st. But, will it matter this Saturday, as the Wolverines roll into Iowa City with a top flight offense❓️

The Michigan defense last year forced three Wisconsin turnovers, as the Wolverines scored 18 of their 38 points in the 4th quarter.

In Iowa's 42-3 lost last year in Indy to Michigan, the Wolverines scored 21 points in the 4th quarter.

In their B1G opener last week in Ann Arbor, Michigan scored 17 of their 34 points in the fourth quarter in the 34-27 win over Maryland.

“They have one of the top offenses in the country right now,” said Iowa safety Kaevon Merriweather, who returned a fumble for a score and also intercepted a pass Saturday. “We have one of the best defenses, so I think is going to be huge, especially me being a kid from Michigan.”

Ouch. Michigan’s offense is putting up points for the 2nd straight season. The Wolverines beat Ohio State 42-27 last year in Ann Arbor to clinch their first Big Ten title, since 2004.



Sophomore RB Corum's two running TDs against Maryland last week were two of those eight 20+ carries. They were 25+ yard plays that Iowa DC Phil Parker preaches against.



Parker preaches the importance of limiting explosive plays. He highlighted it back in 2017, when Iowa played Ohio State. But, no one expects that type of explosive game from Iowa on Saturday.



Neither of those players are playing for Michigan right now. Depth is a little concern for Michigan at QB and RB, but their two sophomores starting there are playing at a high, high level.



The Hawkeyes are 3-1 on the season. One play that was an inch or two away from 4-0. But, the Hawkeyes had that critical fumble on the goal line, in their last P5 home game, which was a loss.



Is this a game, Michigan finally doesn't roll in the fourth quarter offensively, like last year and recently❓️

“A great environment that they have at Kinnick Stadium,” Harbaugh said. “I think it’s more the team that’s on the field, and they produce one that’s really good every single year.”

It is fitting the Iowa Hawkeyes are honoring the 2002 team on Saturday. After all, plenty of those wins on route to an 8-0 B1G co-champion season came with 11:00 kickoffs.

“The energy that the crowd brings hypes us up,” Merriweather said. “If you come into Kinnick Stadium unprepared and aren’t ready for what’s about to happen, then you’ll definitely go down to die.”

I liked Iowa in the 2016 in Kinnick Stadium giving the Hawkeyes a chance against Michigan. Even the 1998 game was close, when the Hawkeyes lost 12-9.

My heart says Iowa.

We don’t expect that Saturday. This Iowa team is so challenged offensively that it brings to mind something the late Bo Schembechler once said about one of Woody Hayes’ early-1970s Ohio State teams:

“They couldn’t move the ball across the street.” - Chris Balas, Michigan media

Iowa didn't have a defense, like this unit back in the 1970s, either. Many of Iowa's skill players have played against Michigan.

• QB Spencer Petras is making his second start, completed 9-22 pass attempts for 137 yards vs. Michigan before leaving game in third quarter due to injury in Indy last season
• RB Gavin Williams led team in rushing with career-high 12 attempts for 56 yards vs. Michigan to match career-best yardage, with a long of 11 yards (career-best 16 rushing attempts for career-best 98 yards vs. Kentucky, with a long of 19) .... also had one pass reception and one incomplete pass attempt
• TE Sam LaPorta had six receptions for 62 yards vs. Michigan, with a long of 21 yards, last year
• WR Nico Ragani saw action in 10-3 loss at #18 Michigan in 2019, with career-best six receptions for 46 yards in Ann Arbor, career-best four punt returns for 54 yards at Michigan, including a long of 17 yards
• TE Luke Lachey had one reception for 22 yards vs. Michigan in Indy

The offensive line is a key for Iowa. They need to play their best game of the season this week.

Maryland ran last week, and not the 23 yard run came from their #2 QB, but one of the Terps' RBs got a 16 yard run.

TEAM

34

128

3.8

1

23

Maryland's leading TE lead the Terps, including a 44 yard reception. Can Iowa stay ahead of the chains against a Michigan defense, which has a strength in the secondary.



Let's not forget punting. Both teams are strong in the special teams unit.

Iowa's defense will need to "lower the boom" on another young Michigan QB on Saturday.



On Iowa!

 

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