Michigan Football: Everything you need to know about Iowa

Michigan football is seeking revenge for the one-point loss to Iowa in 2016. Will the Wolverines get vengeance against an undefeated Hawkeye team?

Michigan football has an outstanding record against Iowa overall which sits at 45-15-4, but its the last time the two faced each other that counts. In 2016, the undefeated Wolverines traveled to Kinnick stadium matching up against a four-loss Hawkeye team. It didn’t end well.

Michigan quarterback Wilton Speight was injured in the first half, and the Wolverines were unable to get anything going offensively. UM headed back home losing 14-13.

Fast forward two years and the script is flipped. Iowa is the higher-ranked and undefeated team walking into the lion’s den known as The Big House, with the Wolverines living off the momentum of the decimation of Rutgers.

And while Iowa doesn’t have a loss, they struggled mightily against a two-loss Iowa State team in what is known as El Assico, the annual rivalry game between the two in-state powerhouses.

Iowa also played two of the same opponents, Rutgers and Middle Tennessee State. The Hawkeyes had little trouble handling the Blue Raiders, defeating them 48-3, but the time-of-possession hoarders weren’t able to put as many points on the board against the Scarlett Knights, scoring just 30 points. Both Michigan and Iowa did not concede a single point to Rutgers.

That’s right where the caparisons of these Big Ten squads stop.

As Michigan slowly transitions into what is supposed to be a ‘pro-spread’ offense, Iowa is sticking to their guns with a run it down your throat centric philosophy. And as Jim Harbaugh said, Iowa is very similar to Wisconsin, going as far as saying they have “similar DNA.”

Will we see Iowa dominate the line of scrimmage much like Wisconsin did in their house? Or will we see a repeat of the Rutgers game where Michigan properly utilized their incredible talent?

“They’ve got really good players, basically at every position,” Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said. “Their line and receivers, and when I say receivers tight ends (too), they kind of jump right out at you. A good group of running backs. The quarterback, I think, is playing really well too.

“They were a team in transition early, and it sure looks like they hit a stride on Saturday.”

Iowa knows what they’re getting themselves into. Can Michigan, without the benefit of a weekend off, prepare and control the game, exacting their revenge?

We find out Saturday, but until then, here’s a preview of what Iowa brings to the table.