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Michigan Football: Previewing Wolverines and Iowa for Big Ten title

By Christopher Mangum

Nov 20, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan Wolverines tight end Luke Schoonmaker (86) celebrates with teammates after scoring a during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan Wolverines tight end Luke Schoonmaker (86) celebrates with teammates after scoring a during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Syndication: Detroit Free Press
Syndication: Detroit Free Press /

Michigan football must move the ball on elite Iowa defense

Throughout the 2021 regular season, many questions have been brought up regarding Michigan’s run-heavy offense. Though most believed Michigan would need to develop a more substantial passing component to beat high-caliber teams like Ohio State, the Wolverines stuck to the ground. They finished the regular season with only one loss.

Michigan’s potent run game will be spearheaded by senior star running back Hassan Haskins. So far, Haskins has carried the ball 244 times this season, for 1,232 yards and 18 touchdowns. Last Saturday against Ohio State, Haskins ran the ball for an astounding 168 yards and five touchdowns, the most touchdowns a single player has ever rushed for on Ohio State.

Backing up Haskins, Michigan carries two more extremely talented backs in freshman Donovan Edwards and sophomore Blake Corum.

Though both of these backs have not seen the field as much as Haskins, Corum and Edwards are both capable of making huge plays and leading this offense. Corum comes into the Big Ten championship game with multiple 100-yard games himself, and while Edwards has not seen the field as much, he still managed to rack up 170 receiving yards and a touchdown at Maryland a few weeks ago.

Behind these three backs, Michigan football currently has the second-overall rushing offense among power five schools.

Though Michigan prefers to run the football, the Wolverines can pass it as well too.

Junior quarterback Cade McNamara heads into Saturday’s championship game with only three interceptions on the season. With that, McNamara has also thrown for 2, 301 yards and 14 touchdowns and led his team to an 11-1 record.

Though Michigan has not done a superb job at throwing the ball this season, they have proven time and time again that they can throw the ball when they need to.

Michigan’s wide receiving corps is extremely young and inexperienced this season after losing veteran wide-out Ronnie Bell in week one due to a torn ACL. Even with the loss of their No.1 receiver, Michigan’s young group has managed to step up, seeing stars emerge in Cornelius Johnson, Andrel Anthony, and Roman Wilson.

Michigan’s offense will be tested on Saturday against a highly touted Iowa defense. On the season, Iowa is ranked 13th in total defense, 9th in scoring defense, 14th in rushing defense, and 6th in defensive touchdowns. This season, the Hawkeye defense can be credited with most of the Hawkeyes’ 10 wins and ranks similar to Michigan’s in most defensive categories.

Michigan’s key to success against Iowa’s impressive defense is the offensive line. Similar to Michigan’s victory over Ohio State, if the Wolverines can win the battle in the trenches, the running backs will be able to run wild and open up space for Cade McNamara to throw the football.

The Hawkeyes are ranked 76th in team sacks and 105th in tackles for loss. Meanwhile, Michigan’s offensive line is seen as one of the best in the country, ranking second among power five schools in sacks allowed and first in tackles for loss allowed.

After bullying Ohio State’s defensive line, Michigan’s offensive line will come into this Saturday’s game confident but not cocky, a dangerous combo for one of the best O-line units in the nation.

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