Michigan football got a taste of its own medicine on Saturday.
The Wolverines lost a game they had no business losing on Saturday, 20-19, after allowing Iowa to score a touchdown on the final play of the game.
That was just one of numerous errors and self-inflicted wounds. Michigan had three red-zone trips that resulted in three points. Bryce Underwood threw an interception, was stopped on fourth-and-inches, and despite more than 400 yards of offense, U-M only scored 19 points.
Final | Iowa 20 Michigan 19
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) September 26, 2026
As disappointing as that was, it was nothing compared to the collapse of the defense. Iowa walked the ball up and down the field in the second half. The Hawkeyes and their fans were right about Michigan and its cornerbacks. They aren't good enough and weren't good enough in man coverage.
If you allow Iowa to score a game-winning touchdown, you don't deserve to be called a great defense. Ever. No matter what you do. Here are three takeaways from one of the worst endings in Michigan football history.
Bryce Underwood's best game was wasted
If you had told me that Underwood was going to throw for 276 yards and two touchdowns, I would have thought Michigan football would win in a blowout. It should have been a blowout. Special teams, penalties, and poor execution killed Michigan.
If you lose the turnover battle against Iowa, you lose the game. As soon as Underwood threw that interception, the fate was sealed, especially after the Wolverines dropped numerous interception chances on the final two drives.
Iowa didn't win the game, Michigan lost it
Iowa deserves credit for hanging around. But whether it was the dropped interceptions, the poor production in the red zone, or one of the dumbest penalties in the history of Michigan football when Zeke Berry shoved an Iowa receiver out of bounds, giving them a first down inside on 4th-and-12, the Wolverines lost this game.
The Wolverines will be out of the top 25 and should be. They can kiss any hope of making the College Football Playoff goodbye now. You don't lose to Iowa and make the College Football Playoff.
That was the kind of loss that ruins a season and it should have never happened.
Michigan is the most undisciplined team in college football
The Wolverines win the game without that Zeke Berry penalty. Flat out. I have never seen a penalty worse than that. The Wolverines allowed a kickoff return for a touchdown, had numerous holding penalties, and continue to be one of the sloppiest teams in college football.
Michigan should have won the game by 2-3 touchdowns. Instead, the Wolverines allowed one of the worst finishes in the history of the Big House.
This ranks right up there with "Trouble With the Snap" and the Kordell Stewart Hail Mary.
Add us as a preferred source on Google