Michigan Football: 3 Keys for the Wolverines against Iowa
By Josh LaFond
Michigan football will face its first big test of the season on Saturday as the Wolverines travel to Iowa and here are three keys to a victory.
Michigan football won last Saturday, this much we know. But the manner in which they won presents more questions than answers as we head into the first road test of the 2022 campaign for the Wolverines.
Will the pass rush step up? Is J.J. McCarthy the real deal, or a one-hit wonder? What’s the depth like at running back and linebacker? These are all legitimate concerns after a closer-than-expected win.
Michigan football has a real opportunity to respond to their sleepwalk last week. Though Iowa enters this game absolutely putrid on offense, their defense rivals some of head coach Kirk Ferentz’s best. They will sit back in their trademarked zone defense and make the Michigan offense be patient and play mistake-free football.
Are J.J. McCarthy and the Wolverine offense equipped to do that both? Is the Michigan defense ready for a physical slugfest? How will the team respond to a hostile atmosphere for the first time this season?
We address all those things in this week’s edition of our keys to victory. Let’s get into it.
Play patient offense
The Iowa Hawkeyes would love nothing more than for Michigan football and McCarthy to walk out on the field at Kinnick this Saturday with a point to prove.
When the opposing offense tries to force the issue and makes little mistakes here and there… that’s when the Hawkeyes are at their best on defense.
For the Wolverines to win on the road Saturday, they’ll need to be patient on offense and not give in by trying to force the issue.
The key on offense and the patience in that department comes down to the passing game. Particularly play-calling and quarterback play.
Will the duo of Moore and Weiss find their rhythm unlike last week? Can JJ McCarthy be patient and take what the defense gives him?
We expect to see Donovan Edwards back this Saturday after sitting out the last two weeks nursing a soft tissue injury. And when you have a potential Heisman candidate in Blake Corum, there are enough pieces there to win this game.
But for Michigan to win this game, they’ll need the rest of the offense to be patient.