Michigan Football: 3 takeaways from a scrappy win over Iowa
By Nick Popio
1. Iowa’s defense is legit, but Michigan’s is a step above
Phil Parker’s bunch did everything they could to rattle Michigan’s offense, but their offense did not copy that. Michigan football ran for a season-low in rushing yards and was held to four field goals, but did not turn the ball over. That was basically the main difference between both defenses on the night.
Michigan’s defense set up the offense with short field twice which landed them 10 points. The other big play came from the special teams. James Turner did the rest with his leg. Iowa ran it for 35 yards and only garnered 155 yards of total offense. They finished with just seven first downs.
I’ll get labeled a homer but I don’t care. I’m off the clock & just watching.
— K.J. Pilcher (@kjpilcher) December 3, 2023
More impressed with Iowa defense given what they’ve done against unit they’re playing than Michigan’s defense against offense they’re playing.
Probably failed logic in “They supposed to do that” for UM
Mikey Sainristil was the game MVP because he helped force two of the three turnovers and was inches away from a third.
With no Will Johnson, Sainristil played on the outside and Jaden McBurrows was the third corner on the field at times. His transition from offense to defense was one of the best decisions the coaching staff has ever made and is a major reason they are headed back to the playoff.