5 predictions for Michigan football vs. Iowa in Big Ten Championship Game

Looking ahead to the Big Ten Championship Game on Saturday, here are five predictions for Michigan football vs. Iowa. 

For the third straight season, Michigan football will play in Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship and the Iowa Hawkeyes will be the opponent.

It will be the third straight season Michigan football has played Iowa. The Wolverines and Hawkeyes met in the 2021 Big Ten championship game.

Michigan won that game 42-3 and beat Iowa by 10 points last season on the road. This year, Iowa picked up Cade McNamara to improve its offense, as well as former Wolverine Erick All.

But both of those guys are out for the season. Michigan will face Deacon Hill on Saturday, a quarterback completing 48 percent of his passes. Iowa ranks 130th in the FBS in total offense and 124th in scoring.

However, the scoring defense is ranked fourth and the special teams have been elite. Kirk Ferentz is also a damn good coach, so this game won’t be easy.

With that in mind, here are five predictions for Michigan football against Iowa.

Michigan starts fast

With head coach Jim Harbaugh returning this week, I expect Michigan football to be even better than it has been over the past three weeks.

As impressive as the Wolverines have been during their wins over Penn State and Ohio State, there’s a reason Jim Harbaugh has won so many games. He’s one of the best head coaches in the game, period.

Whether it’s the NFL or college, Harbaugh knows is a proven difference-maker, so Michigan will certainly be better with him on the sidelines than sitting at home on the couch.

U-M jumped out to a 14-3 lead two years ago. The lead might not be that big early, but I think the Wolverines score early and lead after the opening stanza.