Michigan Football: 3 Reasons Wolverines will beat Hawkeyes
By Josh LaFond
Michigan’s offense is balanced enough to give Hawkeyes fits
In previous matchups with Iowa (2016 and 2019 in particular), we saw an emphasis on the run game in this matchup. Not by choice, but whether due to quarterback injuries in 2016 (Wilton Speight) or just plain bad quarterback play in 2019 (Shea Patterson) Michigan football played right into Iowa’s hand.
They got in a rock fight against a kid with a slingshot.
This year however will be different.
Though this is J.J. McCarthy’s first-ever road start, he’s played in hostile environments. For all the grief he got for an untimely error against Michigan State last year, he played very well in limited action. He has also made the trip to Penn State, being a part of a Wolverine come-from-behind win last year.
So quarterback who understands the challenges of playing and playing well on the road? Check.
The rest of the offense? Ready to explode.
Donovan Edwards is likely — if not expected — to return this week after missing the previous two contests against Maryland and UConn with a soft tissue injury. The one-two punch that he and Corum have immediately will give the Hawkeyes something to reckon with. A tandem that they haven’t seen to date this year, and won’t see the rest of the season.
When you couple in solid quarterback play, and a dynamic running game — lest we forget the multitude of receiving options at wide receiver and tight end — Iowa can’t just key in on the run game like in previous matchups. They have to respect that balance.
Keeping that balance on offense is what will win Michigan the game.