It comes as no surprise that many are viewing Michigan's last-second loss on Saturday to Iowa as karma for beating Western Michigan in Week 1. All the controversy around whether or not a second should have been added to the clock in the Western Michigan game had everyone feeling like Michigan stole that game, and now their karma has been paid in full.
Even famous superfan Dave Portnoy believes that Michigan got its karma against Iowa, because, like Western Michigan against Michigan, the Wolverines clearly outplayed the Hawkeyes, but still ended up losing the game, this time with two seconds on the clock instead of one.
"I guess I am a believer in karma. Maybe we shouldn’t have gotten that first win, its fair and square," Portnoy said. "Iowa had no business winning this game, they made one play, and it was the last one"
“I guess I am a believer in karma. Maybe we shouldn’t have gotten that first win, its fair and square… Iowa had no business winning this game, they made one play, and it was the last one”
— Wake Up Barstool (@wakeupbarstool) September 28, 2026
-@stoolpresidente on Michigan’s loss to Iowa pic.twitter.com/fYarmenB8d
Michigan outplayed Iowa in every aspect but Iowa made the final crucial play
Just like Portnoy said, Michigan played the better game against Iowa in pretty much every aspect of the game, minus probably special teams. Really, if Michigan makes one tackle on that special teams kickoff return for a touchdown, we could be having a very different conversation about Michigan being 4-0 right now instead of 3-1.
Overall, Michigan played better offensively with more passing yards and rushing yards, outgaining the Hawkeyes by 144 yards. Michigan also dominated the time of possession by keeping the ball for almost 10 more minutes than Iowa. Unfortunately, the Wolverines also committed nearly double as many penalties for double the amount of yards as the Hawkeyes.
It may be cliché to say, but Iowa didn't necessarily win that game; Michigan lost it with its decisions not to trust Bryce Underwood on the final two offensive drives and undisciplined penalties on the final drive.
Michigan had Iowa in a fourth-and-long situation, but a stupid late hit penalty on Zeke Berry gave Iowa 15 yards and a new set of downs. Without that penalty, Michigan had a chance to stop Iowa before it even crossed midfield, but instead gave the Hawkeyes better field position and another chance to win the game.
Whttingham said it himself in his post -game presser that sometimes the team that plays the best doesn't always win. That was the case for Western Michigan in Week 1, and it was the case again for Michigan against Iowa. The Hawkeyes made the one play that mattered most at the right time, and it spoiled Michigan's undefeated record.
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