Hawkeyes Mic: Hawkeyes – Wolverines Prognostications (10/04/19)
The Hawkeyes Mic picks are in for the Iowa –Michigan Game. It’s not quite unanimous – and perhaps somewhat surprising to some. Check them out – see if you agree or disagree.
Scott Dochterman – Iowa 27-17:
Iowa is too stout at the point of attack for both sides of the ball. That’s usually not the case between these teams but it is this year.
TheAthletic.com; @ScottDochterman on Twitter
Steve Batterson – Iowa 20-17:
This is a must-win game for Michigan if it hopes to have any chance in the Big Ten East, but Iowa has a few things to play for as well in the other half of the Big Ten equation.
The Wolverines are stout, but inconsistent, up front and that gives the Hawkeyes a chance to earn an important road victory.
At the end of the day, expect the leg of Keith Duncan to be big at the Big House.
In seven of Iowa’s 11 wins over the Wolverines since 1981, kickers have been the difference, either providing the Hawkeyes with a field goal to secure the win or kicking enough field goals to decide the outcome.
This game won’t be any different.
The Quad City Times; @SBatt79 on Twitter
John Bohnenkamp – Iowa 24-20:
Michigan got momentum by beating Rutgers.
Iowa kept its momentum by rolling over Middle Tennessee State.
I like the Hawkeyes, just because of their steadiness.
HawkeyesMic.com; @JohnBohnenkamp on Twitter
Brendan Stiles – Iowa 21-17:
I like the Hawkeyes to pull the upset in The Big House because I believe this game will be all about defense.
I’m not entirely confident Iowa will do a lot offensively unless the coaches break tendency and become a little more run-oriented as opposed to striving for constant balance. However, I don’t see Michigan doing much offensively either because I believe the Hawkeyes will be able to get pressure on Shea Patterson and force him into just enough mistakes that Iowa manages to win the ballgame.
@TheBStiles on Twitter
John Patchett – Iowa 27-17:
I like Iowa in this game in all three phases. While playing at The Big House can be intimating – especially on Offense – the Hawkeyes have the better (and veteran) quarterback with lots of play-making weapons at Nate Stanley’s disposal. And Iowa’s Defense has been stout and salty.
Michigan has had trouble with its running game (not great when you’re facing an opposing defense that’s surrendering just 77 yards a game on the ground), its quarterback has been inconsistent – despite have a bevy of really good receivers – and its Defense has also struggled. The Wolverines are
Iowa’s turnover margin is +5. Michigan’s is -4 (13th in the B1G).
So until the Hawkeyes prove me wrong (maybe even twice), I’m sticking with Iowa. This has the makings of one of the best teams in the Ferentz Era.
HawkeyesMic.com; @HawkeyesMic on Twitter
Tyler Tjelmeland – Michigan 24-21:
The Hawkeyes have the offensive rush game to own time of possession and move the football against a Michigan defense which struggled mightily against Wisconsin’s similar model.
The biggest difference between Iowa and Wisconsin is the defensive pass rush. Iowa’s one perceived weakness this season is the pass rush and forcing QB pressure. Michigan won’t kill you on the ground, so it will be Shea Patterson and his passing attack.
Although Iowa defeated Iowa State, the Cyclones moved the ball through the air for over 300 yards. The Wolverines have a stronger wide receiver core than ISU, and Patterson will have plenty of time to pick his throws carefully.
If Iowa can force pressure and turnovers, this prediction will be incorrect, but ultimately, the Wolverines have the slight advantage in this tight contest at the Big House.
HawkeyesMic.com; @TylerTjemeland on Twitter
Jack Brandsgard – Iowa 24-21:
Bookmakers are going to regret opening Michigan as a 7-point favorite, a number that is already down to 4.5 because of 70 percent of public money being on the Hawkeyes. (4.5 is still too high.
Iowa is better than Michigan at the most important positions, namely at quarterback. I’ve never been a Shea Patterson Kool-Aid-drinker, and Nate Stanley has thrown eight touchdowns to zero interceptions this season. Advantage: Hawkeyes.
We saw Michigan’s defense get ground into nothingness by Wisconsin, and I expect Iowa to have success running, too. Mekhi Sargent (5.5 yards per carry), Tyler Goodson (5.9), and Toren Young (7.6) carry a lot of juice as a trio, and having Alaric Jackson back should help open up holes. Look for Iowa to establish the run to open up the play-action pass.
I’ll be interested to see how involved Oliver Martin is this week against his former team. He has five catches through four games, considerably lower than anybody would have expected. Maybe this is the week he recovers from his Fant-itis.
HawkeyesMic.com; @JackBrandsgard on Twitter
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