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Michigan football: 4 key things to watch for against Iowa

By Jacob Shames

IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 7: Running back Mekhi Sargent #10 of the Iowa Hawkeyes rushes up field during the first half against linebacker Tyshon Fogg #8 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on September 7, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 7: Running back Mekhi Sargent #10 of the Iowa Hawkeyes rushes up field during the first half against linebacker Tyshon Fogg #8 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on September 7, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /
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. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

Michigan football gets set to battle the Iowa Hawkeyes Saturday and here are four key things to watch for the Wolverines.

Michigan football’s margin for error has once again disappeared.

The Wolverines are set to take on No. 14 Iowa on Saturday at Michigan Stadium, during Homecoming. The Hawkeyes’ 4-0 start includes two wins over teams Michigan itself has beaten — a 30-0 shutout of Rutgers in Week 2 and a 48-3 romp over Middle Tennessee last Saturday.

Despite returning key talent from last year’s 9-4 team, Iowa wasn’t expected to be one of the Wolverines’ gut-check tests on the level of Wisconsin, Penn State, Notre Dame or Ohio State. But Kirk Ferentz seems to always get something solid out of his squad. With a lockdown defense that’s allowed just 8.5 points per game and an offense that includes experienced signal-caller Nate Stanley and all-Big Ten tackles Alaric Jackson and Tristan Wirfs, the Hawkeyes are poised for one of their best seasons in recent memory.

All this is to say that unlike Rutgers last week, this is a game that Michigan football might and absolutely could lose if it doesn’t come out with the requisite mentality. While the encouraging signs were aplenty against the Scarlet Knights, the Wolverines can’t merely settle for them — they have to continue building on them instead.

Michigan’s already failed miserably in a statement game against a top-15 team this season. Iowa won’t be a statement on the level that Wisconsin would have been, especially at home. But still, the Wolverines would be sending a message to their doubters with a win Saturday. That they can combine their considerable talent with high-level intensity and preparation, and knock a quality team from the ranks of the unbeaten.

Here’s what to watch for when the Wolverines and Hawkeyes take the field:

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