Grading Michigan Football and its win over Iowa

Handing out grades and the final report card for Michigan football in the win over Iowa on Saturday. 

Michigan and Iowa was an old-fashioned football game. It was about running the football, being physical, and not turning the ball over.

Iowa made a run in the second half but not many expected Michigan football to be leading 20-0 or 27-7 late. The offense left some meat on the bone. J.J. McCarthy missed a touchdown pass. When he tripped on Zak Zinter, that might have cost U-M points too.

But it’s hard to complain too much about a 27-14 win. However, there are improvements that need to be made, and here are the grades from Michigan’s win over Iowa.

Offense: B+

Michigan football only created two plays of 20 yards or more. One was a 29-yard pass from McCarthy to Andrel Anthony. The other was Blake Corum’s fourth-quarter touchdown run.

Last season, Michigan created more plays of 50 yards or more than any team in the country. This season, they haven’t created any. It was going to be tough to create those against Iowa. The Hawkeyes are very disciplined and Michigan went with a conservative game plan.

Still, the offensive line was effective and so was Blake Corum. Running for over 100 yards against Iowa is one heck of an achievement.

Some fans might get frustrated with the conservative game plan but it reminded me of Washington last year. It’s what was needed to win the game.

McCarthy fumbled and missed the deep touchdown. Outside of that, he did exactly what he was supposed to do and wasn’t loose with the football.

The offense could have had a better day, but it did more than enough to win, and rushing for 170 yards against Iowa is always a good day.