Michigan Football vs Iowa: Odds and prediction for Week 5 college football

Michigan football will travel to Iowa on Saturday in a rematch of the 2021 Big Ten championship game and here is a look at the odds and a prediction. 

Last week proved to be a tougher test than some expected for Michigan football against Maryland, but this week, the first huge test of the 2022 season awaits in the form of a road trip to Iowa.

The last time Michigan football played at Kinnick Stadium, the Wolverines lost on a last-second field goal as the No. 2 team in the country. It was a game the Wolverines should have won and if they had, even with the loss to Ohio State, they probably make the College Football Playoff in 2016.

Jim Harbaugh said Monday that Iowa City is where top-five teams go to die. So his teams know what to expect and what’s at stake.

This game has been circled all offseason as a potential loss. It’s a positive that it’s not a night game, but after last week, there is a reason to feel uneasy.

Here’s a look at the odds and a prediction for Michigan football vs Iowa.

Michigan football vs Iowa: Odds and a prediction

According to FanDuel, Michigan football is a 10.5-point favorite going into Iowa City on Saturday, and on paper that might make sense. The over/under is 42.5 and the money line is -450 for the Wolverines at +340 for Iowa.

Iowa has been terrible on offense. However, the Hawkeyes have the No. 1 scoring defense in the country and their defense is a beast. Yet, the Hawkeyes also have the worst scoring offense in the Big Ten.

Michigan’s offense has a first-year starting QB in J.J. McCarthy who has yet to throw an interception. However, there were some shaky moments last week. He was close to a three-turnover game and if he won’t get away with those mistakes Saturday.

The previous matchups were really low-scoring in this series and that’s what I expect. It’s going to be nerve-racking, physical, and down-to-the-wire.

Yet, having a dynamic quarterback will make all the difference even in the world. Even if it’s just a throw here or a run there. Michigan’s defense is stout too and it has more playmakers.

I’m predicting the Wolverines win it 20-13 in a game with more field goals than touchdowns.