Michigan Football: 5 predictions for the Wolverines against Iowa

The pass rush delivers

For all the talk about the Iowa defense, the offense has been terrible. Iowa is only averaging 17 points per game and one area of concern for the Hawkeyes is pass protection.

So far this season, only Nebraska has allowed more sacks than the Hawkeyes among Big Ten teams. The Wolverines and Hawkeyes both have 11 sacks on defense. It’s been an area of disappointment but the Wolverines got three last week.

Jim Harbaugh said Eyabi Okie and Derrick Moore, who were both impressive in the fourth quarter against Maryland, will get more snaps. Mike Morris and Jaylen Harrell are coming on too and playing Spencer Petras will help.

Petras is a statue and has virtually no mobility. The Iowa offensive line is solid but I’d expect Michigan to bring pressure beyond just the front four. The Wolverines have confidence in their secondary and they should. It’s been elite.

Petras is averaging under six yards per pass attempt so bringing the heat and applying some pressure, should lead to some mistakes. And looking into my crystal ball, I see the defense getting at least three sacks just like last week.