There is something about when Michigan football plays Iowa that I have always loved as a fan. You know it is going to be a hard-hitting, physical game with both teams trying to establish the run.
There are no shortcuts or easy paths to victory when these two teams meet. Iowa has grown a reputation for playing a boring brand of football, but I don't see it that way. Ferentz plays a strategic, field position type of game that I enjoy watching as a fan.
Michigan football has always been a run-first team, but that was even more pronounced under Jim Harbaugh during their three straight Big Ten Championship seasons from 2021 to 2023. While Michigan has been on top of the Big Ten for the entirety of the conference's existence, Iowa is one of those teams that always seems to be in the top five of the standings come November.
Both teams have legendary stadiums, with the Hawkeyes playing in Kinnick and the Wolverines in the Big House. This series has produced great moments and games, so let's take a look at the numbers, a breakthrough win for Michigan, and what the future looks like between these two teams.
All-time series record: Michigan leads 43-14 and four ties
Most recent meeting: Michigan won 26-0 in 2023
First meeting: Michigan won 9-3 in 1923
Largest margin of victory: Michigan 63-7 in 1971, Iowa 26-0 in 1984
Favorite game from the series: Michigan won 42-3 in the Big Ten Championship in 2021.
Michigan vs Iowa in 2021 felt like the start of something special for the Wolverine program. It was both improbable and undeniable that they had reached the Big Ten Championship after a dominant 11-1 regular season that was capped by beating the Buckeyes 42-27 in the season finale. Michigan was playing in its first Big Ten Championship game ever, but it also felt like the king had returned to the throne and nothing was going to stop them on this December night.
Michigan was in control of this game from start to finish. Iowa drove down the field on their opening possession but missed a chip-shot field goal. On the next possession, Blake Corum took it 67 yards to the house with the help of a downfield block from J.J. McCarthy.
This stands out as one of the more iconic runs from Blake Corum's career at Michigan. After stopping Iowa on their next possession, Michigan football would go to some trickery for their next touchdown. Donovan Edwards caught a swing pass and then threw it himself to Roman Wilson, who was streaking down the sideline for a 75-yard touchdown reception. I remember thinking to myself in this moment... "holy smokes, we are good!".
The second half was a Michigan clinic as the Wolverines stopped the Hawkeyes time after time on defense and slowly threw body punches on offense until Iowa couldn't take it anymore. It was the perfect depiction of what Joel Klatt famously referenced as Michigan being a boa constrictor when they play other teams. They slowly wrapped themselves around Iowa until they completely suffocated it, and there was nothing they could do. Michigan won the game 42-3 and claimed its 42nd Big Ten Championship.
Future outlook
The next game scheduled between these two teams is in 2027 and will be played at Kinnick Stadium. Kinnick is one of the toughest places to play in the entire country. I already can not wait for that game, as Bryce Underwood will be entering his junior season with hopefully a plethora of weapons next to him, based on how recruiting is going for Michigan right now.
These two programs are in opposite places currently when it comes to head coaches. Kirk Ferentz is the longest tenured coach in the Big Ten and Sherrone Moore is entering only his second season at the helm in Ann Arbor. Although they are in opposite places in terms of program leadership, one thing will remain the same between the two, and that is a hard-nosed, physical brand of Big Ten football.