Michigan vs. Iowa: Prediction and Preview

Michigan vs. Iowa takes center stage for a B1G Championship Game rematch in Week 5. That contest will get a national feature with FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff pre-game show on hand in Iowa City and a 12 pm ET kickoff.

Michigan vs. Iowa preview

Coming into the game, the Wolverines and Hawkeyes have been on totally different ends of the spectrum in terms of performance. Through Week 4, Jim Harbaugh’s squad has been efficient and near-dominant in starting 4-0.

After slicing through a weak nonconference schedule, Michigan had its first test at home from a Maryland squad in Week 4. The Wolverines did enough to secure a 34-27 win and held a double-digit lead until the final minute of the game.

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The driving force in that big win was running Blake Corum who set career-high numbers with 30 carries and over 200 yards on the ground. Fellow RB Donovan Edwards was out with an injury, making Corum’s efforts all the more important.

JJ McCarthy had his first semi-rough outing as Michigan’s starter but avoided devastating mistakes in the outing. Nevertheless, he’ll need to be sharper against tough defenses, and Iowa possesses one of the best in that regard.

For Iowa, the results have been all over the place early in 2022, particularly with the offense. Though he has looked better in the past two games (albeit against Nevada and Rutgers), QB Spencer Petras is completing just 51.1% of his passes this season for 524 yards, a touchdown and 2 interceptions.

It should be noted Petras has played much of the year without top receivers Keagan Johnson and Nico Ragaini – and Johnson will be out again in Week 5 – but Petras must be better if the Hawkeyes are going to remain competitive in B1G play.

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At the end of the day, the best hope for Iowa to pull off an upset rests on how the Hawkeye defense matches up against the Wolverine offense, and that matchup should be a good one. In Week 4, JJ McCarthy was clearly rattled at various moments, and the Wolverine receivers struggled at times to generate separation against the Terrapins.

The magic of Kinnick Stadium is well known, and Iowa is sure to have some special plans in place under DC Phil Parker for the Week 5 contest.

Michigan vs. Iowa Prediction

Michigan is the more talented and complete team in this matchup and had a dominant win during the B1G Championship. However, history tells us getting a win in Kinnick Stadium is not for the faint of heart, and Jim Harbaugh is winless – as a coach and a player – in Iowa City.

In the end, Michigan probably prevails behind its depth of firepower, but it will take a late play to swing this one.

Prediction: Michigan 24, Iowa 19