Iowa Preview

Time: 3:30
Location: Big House
Weather: 71 No Rain
TV: CBS

Line: Michigan -5.5

Historically, Iowa has had a great defense and poor offense.  The offense is better and the defense is still really good.  Michigan has a really good defense this season and the offense has struggled at times.  Both teams are 3-0 with close wins over instate teams.   Everyone thinks this will be a low scoring game where a turnover might be the difference.  

Dear Coach Whitt:

I know you understand what "Clean" football is. It's when your team doesn't receive penalties or turns the  the ball over.  Michigan is struggling with both offense and penalties on defense.   You can not make those mistakes against Iowa because they will capitalize on everyone of those.  In fact, their game plan includes them. 

If you're looking for a comp, your Utah teams were sort of the Iowa of the West.   By now you know what it means to be the Michigan head coach and winning in the Big House is paramount to having a good season.  So this is a big game for two reasons, it's your first conference game and its Iowa in the Big House. 

Now to the team, we can't have another first half like the team put on the field against UTEP.  That is unacceptable and you know iit.   The defense needs to play with aggression and the offense can't run into a loaded box over and over.  Every defense is going to make Bryce beat them through the air, I would've assumed you and your staff understood that before the season started.  If not, you do know now. 

Get Savion involved in the passing game and continue to leverage JJ and Marsh.  I do believe we have TE's that are great for getting first downs.  I love running the ball but you can't do that when the box has every defender in it.  On the goal line, UTEP didn't even cover JJ on one play last week.  

We need more creativity on offense and that doesn't mean running Bryce non-stop.  Yes, he needs to get his running plays in, but his ball security concerns me. 

This game should be sponsored by Tide Pods, because the team that plays the "cleanest" will win.   Michigan has to limit the mistakes because  Iowa wants to "hang around" and win late on a field goal.  I hope Michigan's injuries have healed this week and we get Berry, Sprague, and Marshall off the list.  

It's hard to win on the road in the Big Ten and Michigan needs to protect the Big House.  Play clean and play with aggression!  

Michigan 24 Iowa 14