Perhaps the BEST B1G Forum anywhere, here at College Football Fan Site, CFB51!!!

Better Michigan squads than this one have gone into Kinnick turtled up and found ways to lose games that they shouldn't have. That place is cursed. F that place. Michigan catches a break in that this one is a noon kick off and not a night game.

This game scares me, but will say I am glad they had that poor performance vs Maryland last week. Lots of teachable moments for some young guys and a reality check for some players that maybe didn't come to play.

Donovan Edwards should be back in time for this one. That will help the offense out tremendously. They'll need that help as Iowa plays sound fundamental defensive football. Also glad they got that Maryland game out of the way because Iowa will do exactly what Maryland did in terms of defense- drop 7-8 into zone every snap and play little to no man- try to keep everything in front of them. Michigan should have a plan for flooding those zones- you'd think- which they didn't vs Maryland- and they should have teachable moments for McCarthy- if nothing is there check it down, take off, or throw it away- don't try to play that hero ball crap.

As far as Michigan's defense is concerned...this won't really be a test. Iowa is bad at offense. Everyone knows this. Their offense scored just 13 points vs Rutgers. Their defense scored 14. Iowa's best offense = their defense.

This will be an ugly game...and it scares me. McCarthy oozes with talent but last week vs Maryland he was all over the map and tried way too hard. He needs to just settle his ass down and take what the defense gives him and live to fight another down. If he does that- Michigan should win. If he tries to be a hero- could just wind up being an ugly ass game that Iowa wins by a late last second FG.

Regardless it will be a low scoring snooze fest imo in large part bc Harbaugh will do what he always does...go conservative and turtle up. This one is a real test for Michigan's offense. If they pass this test they'll likely roll into Columbus 10-1 or 11-0.

Very nice nice summary but I think this will be a fairly easy win for Michigan because of many of the reasons you stated.  Michigan got its wake up call against MD.  They won't get caught napping again.  

Plus I  just don't see Iowa's offense doing anything at all.  So Michigan knows the only way they lose is to beat themselves by making stupid turnovers.  So no need to force things early.  Just be patient.   The game will probably still be close at the half but eventually Iowa's defense will wear out and Michigan will pull away in the 3Q and 4Q.  Pretty much a repeat of last year's Big Ten CHampionship game.  

A lot may depend on how healthy Iowa's DB's and LB's are that have been hurt at times this year.

Iowa's original starting CB J. Harris is out for the year.  His backup Terry Roberts was out for the Rutgers game.  Not sure what the story is there.  His backup Copper DeJean was the guy who had the pick-6 against Rutgers.  DeJean is a young fantastic talent who already has 3 picks total and he has future all Big Ten written all over him.  But there was a reason Harris and Roberts were starting in front of DeJean.  DeJean is still learning. Also Iowa's starting LB Justin Jacob's is probably out. 

This happened to Iowa last year when they lost 2 of their top 3 corners for the Purdue and Wisc games,  games that Iowa lost badly.

Who is calling the plays for Michigan?  I now feel confident in saying its not Josh Gattis who seems to be rapidly wearing out his welcome in Miami.

Michigan's offense was a bit underwhelming last Saturday and now gets tested against the nation's #1 defense.  Iowa finally got their offense humming last weekend by actually scoring points. I think the key to the game for Michigan is to keep Iowa's defense from scoring.

turnovers will be the key for Michigan. JJ has got to take care of the football. He threw one bad ball out of 22 attempts that should've been picked vs Maryland but the defender couldn't get a foot in bounds. It was a very late bad throw across the field that he forced into double coverage. He can't do something like that vs Iowa- those basterds will intercept that. His other 21 throws were not in harms way. He needs to stick with those 21 and ditch that 1. I think he can do that. 

What concerns me MORE with JJ is his desire to play hero ball and try and run around behind the line of scrimmage and try and be Houdini and pull off magic tricks. He almost got himself decapitated and he almost lost 2 fumbles vs Maryland doing that sh*t. CANNOT do that vs Iowa...they will fall on the fumbles or scoop them and score them. If nothing is there JJ needs to take off immediately get positive yards then slide, or just roll out and throw the ball away 50 yards into the stands with his rocket launcher arm. 

To me this game all boils down to JJ's maturity and growth. If he can learn from last weeks mistakes and not force any balls (he really only forced 1 vs Maryland) and not try to be a freaking hero behind the LOS and just throw it away or tuck, run, & slide- Michigan should be OK. He's going to have to just run the offense, take what the defense will give him, and learn to throw the ball away if nothing is there to live to fight another down and to protect the football. IF he can show that growth this week, Michigan should be OK.

yup, Michigan doesn't allow Iowa's defense or special teams to score, they win easily

Michigan has excellent special teams units themselves. I think that unit will show up to play, they normally do. JJ HAS to take care of the football this game or else Michigan is in trouble.

If Michigan goes up 7-0, they should just punt on 1st down like it was 1918