Following Iowa as closely and as intently as I do, this game is a complete toss-up in my opinion. Iowa CB Pratter is expected to play(sore ribs), but if he somehow cannot go in the majority of the plays, MICH is going to definetly take advantage of those backing him up and Iowa just doesn't have quality depth at this position(Pratter was actually 2nd string before Bernsteen went down in preseaon). Couple this with the fact that Iowa will play ultra-conservatively in this game and allow Michigan to hang around if they are indeed leading, will allow Michigan to be in the game late, as this Iowa coaching staff is notorious for this.
I absolutely love Michigan +8 or better in this spot and feel Michigan can definelty pull off the straight-up victory in Iowa City.
Will be very surprised if this game is not still in doubt with under 5 minutes to play.......thus taking 8 points is a no-brainer to this observer.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION
MICHIGAN 23
IOWA 26
To give you more insight into this game, I really like and agree with the following write-up on this game from CFN................
Michigan (4-1) at Iowa (5-0), 8:00 EST, Saturday, October 10, ABC
Why to watch: For those not interested in watching the No. 1 team in the nation play at the No. 4 team in the country in a national title-caliber showdown, this is a truth-telling showdown that will go a long way to determining the final Big Ten pecking order. Michigan had its head over its skis for the first month of the season, and now it’s time to see if the team is for real. After playing with fire in close wins against Notre Dame and Indiana, Tate Forcier couldn’t pull out a win at Michigan State after forcing overtime with a touchdown pass in the final seconds of regulation. Meanwhile, Iowa keeps on rolling along playing an ugly brand of football with no offense, a spotty defense that gives up just enough scoring drives to keep games close, and mediocre special teams … and lots of wins. The Hawkeyes have won nine in a row, and if they want to take hold of the Big Ten title chase, they need to get hotter and better over the next three weeks with trips to Wisconsin and Michigan State to follow. The win over Penn State might have set the tone for the season, but now it’s time to show that it wasn’t a mirage.
Why Michigan might win: Zoltan Mesko. Iowa isn’t going to go on any long, sustained drives. The O produces on good field position, the occasional big play, and by taking advantage of every big mistake. Mesko, Michigan’s fantastic punter, leads the Big Ten and is fifth in the nation averaging 44 yards per kick. He’s fantastic at bailing the team out of jams, and he’s strong at pinning offenses deep. If Iowa has to continually go 70-to-80 yards to score, forget it. Michigan’s defense might not be a rock, but it’s good enough to make a one dimensional, mediocre offense bog down time and again around midfield.
Why Iowa might win: Forcier is good for at least one interception again, and Iowa is way too tight in the secondary to not let any big opportunities slip by. When fully focused, Iowa’s defense is terrific at not breaking, and it has been its best on the road when fired up to deal with Iowa State in the rivalry game, and on national TV in the win over Penn State. The ultra-active linebackers should keep Forcier and the Michigan ground game from breaking off anything big, while the secondary that’s currently ranked fourth in the nation in pass efficiency defense isn’t going to allow anything big. Michigan State shut down the Michigan running game last week, and if Iowa can have the same success from its front seven, it’s going to take a few major breaks for the Wolverines to produce.
Who to watch: America, welcome to Pat Angerer, Part 2. The Iowa senior linebacker was the star of the Penn State win with 14 tackles, interception, and a key forced fumble, and he’s likely to be the center of attention this week, too. Michigan State’s Greg Jones came up with eight tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack last week in the win over the Wolverines as he made play after play to keep the Michigan backfield from breaking off anything big. Angerer should have similar success with everything being funneled his way.
What will happen: Forcier will produce a little bit of his magic here and there, but he won’t do enough and will turn the ball over at least twice. Iowa will win the turnover margin, will capitalize on all the mistakes, and will shut down the Wolverine ground game cold.
CFN Prediction: Iowa 17 … Michigan 13 ... Line: Iowa -8
I absolutely love Michigan +8 or better in this spot and feel Michigan can definelty pull off the straight-up victory in Iowa City.
Will be very surprised if this game is not still in doubt with under 5 minutes to play.......thus taking 8 points is a no-brainer to this observer.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION
MICHIGAN 23
IOWA 26
To give you more insight into this game, I really like and agree with the following write-up on this game from CFN................
Michigan (4-1) at Iowa (5-0), 8:00 EST, Saturday, October 10, ABC
Why to watch: For those not interested in watching the No. 1 team in the nation play at the No. 4 team in the country in a national title-caliber showdown, this is a truth-telling showdown that will go a long way to determining the final Big Ten pecking order. Michigan had its head over its skis for the first month of the season, and now it’s time to see if the team is for real. After playing with fire in close wins against Notre Dame and Indiana, Tate Forcier couldn’t pull out a win at Michigan State after forcing overtime with a touchdown pass in the final seconds of regulation. Meanwhile, Iowa keeps on rolling along playing an ugly brand of football with no offense, a spotty defense that gives up just enough scoring drives to keep games close, and mediocre special teams … and lots of wins. The Hawkeyes have won nine in a row, and if they want to take hold of the Big Ten title chase, they need to get hotter and better over the next three weeks with trips to Wisconsin and Michigan State to follow. The win over Penn State might have set the tone for the season, but now it’s time to show that it wasn’t a mirage.
Why Michigan might win: Zoltan Mesko. Iowa isn’t going to go on any long, sustained drives. The O produces on good field position, the occasional big play, and by taking advantage of every big mistake. Mesko, Michigan’s fantastic punter, leads the Big Ten and is fifth in the nation averaging 44 yards per kick. He’s fantastic at bailing the team out of jams, and he’s strong at pinning offenses deep. If Iowa has to continually go 70-to-80 yards to score, forget it. Michigan’s defense might not be a rock, but it’s good enough to make a one dimensional, mediocre offense bog down time and again around midfield.
Why Iowa might win: Forcier is good for at least one interception again, and Iowa is way too tight in the secondary to not let any big opportunities slip by. When fully focused, Iowa’s defense is terrific at not breaking, and it has been its best on the road when fired up to deal with Iowa State in the rivalry game, and on national TV in the win over Penn State. The ultra-active linebackers should keep Forcier and the Michigan ground game from breaking off anything big, while the secondary that’s currently ranked fourth in the nation in pass efficiency defense isn’t going to allow anything big. Michigan State shut down the Michigan running game last week, and if Iowa can have the same success from its front seven, it’s going to take a few major breaks for the Wolverines to produce.
Who to watch: America, welcome to Pat Angerer, Part 2. The Iowa senior linebacker was the star of the Penn State win with 14 tackles, interception, and a key forced fumble, and he’s likely to be the center of attention this week, too. Michigan State’s Greg Jones came up with eight tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack last week in the win over the Wolverines as he made play after play to keep the Michigan backfield from breaking off anything big. Angerer should have similar success with everything being funneled his way.
What will happen: Forcier will produce a little bit of his magic here and there, but he won’t do enough and will turn the ball over at least twice. Iowa will win the turnover margin, will capitalize on all the mistakes, and will shut down the Wolverine ground game cold.
CFN Prediction: Iowa 17 … Michigan 13 ... Line: Iowa -8
