Iowa Common Opponents Comparison

Submitted by wildbackdunesman on November 28th, 2021 at 12:02 AM

Here is a comparison of common opponents between Michigan and Iowa.

Record against Common Opponents:
Michigan 6-0
Iowa 5-1
 

Indiana
Michigan 29-7 points, 411-195 yards, 19-11 first downs, 1-1 turnovers
Iowa 34-6, 303-233, 18-11, 3-2

Maryland
Michigan 59-18 points, 503-359 yards, 24-20 first downs, 1-0 turnovers
Iowa 51-14, 428-271, 24-14, 7-0

Penn State
Michigan 21-17 points, 361-332 yards, 21-20 first downs, 1-1 turnovers
Iowa 23-20, 305-287, 18-18, 4-1

Wisconsin
Michigan 38-17 points, 365-210 yards, 15-12 first downs, 3-1 turnovers
Iowa 7-27, 156-270, 9-16, 0-3

Northwestern
Michigan 33-7 points, 457-233 yards, 28-10 first downs, 2-2 turnovers
Iowa 17-12, 361-363, 19-20, 3-0

Nebraska
Michigan 32-29 points, 459-431 yards, 26-19 first downs, 2-1 turnovers
Iowa 28-21, 364-327, 19-18, 2-1

AVERAGE
Michigan 35.3-15.8 points, 426-293.3 yards, 22.2-15.3 first downs, 1.7-1 turnovers
Iowa 26.7-16.7, 319.5-291.8, 17.8-16.2, 3.2-1.2

AVERAGE Differentials
Michigan scored 8.6 more points per game
Michigan gave up 0.9 less points per game
Michigan gained 106.5 more yards per game
Iowa gave up 1.5 less yards per game
Michigan earned 4.4 more first downs per game
Michigan gave up 0.9 less first downs per game
Iowa earned 1.5 more turnovers per game
Michigan gave up 0.2 less turnovers per game
 

TAKEAWAYS
Michigan clearly has the better offense.  For all of the talk about the great Iowa Defense in national media, their defense is no better than ours.

Their only clear advantage is in the turnover category.  If Cade takes care of the ball and Haskins continues his steel hands, we should be able to have the clear advantage.

Football

Comments

J. Redux

November 28th, 2021 at 4:34 AM ^

Michigan’s biggest opponent Saturday will be themselves.  If ever a team were going to have an emotional letdown, it would be in a sterile NFL stadium after that.  They are clearly the better team, and the one thing Iowa needs to score points — turnovers — is the one thing Michigan doesn’t really do: Michigan has a mind-blowingly low 9 turnovers in 12 games.  College Football Reference only has turnover stats since 2000, but in that time, this is the best they’ve ever taken care of the ball.  (And their first turnover shouldn’t really even count, as it was an interception thrown by Alan Bowman).

As long as Michigan can stay focused, they should be walking out of Indy with a trophy and a trip to the Playoff.

Joined: 10/15/2020

MGoPoints: 21468

JamieH

November 28th, 2021 at 5:14 AM ^

Michigan needs to refocus for Iowa. While Michigan is clearly a better team, Iowa is solid and will take advantage of Michigan makes a bunch of mistakes.

 

 

Joined: 09/05/2009

MGoPoints: 28331

aiglick

November 28th, 2021 at 5:31 AM ^

Well done. As we just saw the team that is on paper superior doesn’t always win. This game is for a Big Ten Championship so I expect both teams will get after it. Iowa will be a tough out but as long as we minimize mistakes and at the same time continue to put the pedal to the metal and stay aggressive but smart we should have a good chance to walk out of Indy with the win.

Joined: 11/27/2010

MGoPoints: 21521

Blue Dispatch

November 28th, 2021 at 5:53 AM ^

Iowa is a good team, it isn't going to be easy.

Have to put "The Game" behind us and not look too early at the CFP.

This is the BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP !!

(what a delight it is to say this)

Go Blue!

Joined: 09/29/2016

MGoPoints: 9962

JBLPSYCHED

November 28th, 2021 at 7:24 AM ^

I know this is a stretch but yesterday felt like beating the Russians in the '80 Olympics and next Saturday feels like playing Finland. We summited Mt. Everest and now have to turn around and climb one more mountain. The good news is that we are supremely motivated by leaders who know there is more work to do.

As for Iowa, they are a solid and perhaps even underrated team. They are completely unspectacular and minimally explosive but they will take advantage of mistakes--and create some too. On offense they are very predictable and rely on being able to execute more consistently than the opposing D is able to stop them.

We can stop them. We make very few mistakes. We certainly execute well. It's no gimme for sure but assuming we don't overlook them or fall into the proverbial trap game scenario we will win. Onward and Go Blue! It's never been sweeter to be a Michigan Wolverine!

Joined: 11/27/2010

MGoPoints: 7441

Wolverine 73

November 28th, 2021 at 8:11 AM ^

I have to think that Big Ten fans overall are very happy to see someone other than OSU and Wisconsin in the title game.  Michigan’s games with Iowa often seem to be defensive struggles, especially at Kinnick.  Hoping our offense functions more smoothly in Indy.

Joined: 08/03/2009

MGoPoints: 27243

bostonsix

November 28th, 2021 at 11:20 AM ^

I watched that game, not trying to take away from Iowa's DBs because they are good, but Tagovailoa was having an awful game, he was very inaccurate and trying to throw into double and triple coverage on deep shots. He was also staring down his recievers and getting his routes jumped. Our O line and Cades decision making are far superior to Maryland, so I wouldn't expect more than 1 interception if any at all.

Joined: 01/01/2013

MGoPoints: 13467

abt424

November 28th, 2021 at 11:06 AM ^

What I'm worried about most is the mentality of the team. It takes a lot to slay the dragon. It's not easy to get refocused after you've accomplished a huge goal. 

We can pretend this won't be an issue, but it would be my biggest concern this week. 

Iowa loves to make games ugly and capitalize on mistakes. If Michigan comes out not as crisp next week and isn't paying attention to details, we could find ourselves in an ugly game asking what happened to the dominant team from last week.

One thing I feel better about is this game isn't at Kinnick. It's indoors (weather won't be a factor) and the turf will be nice so Michigan's athletes should have an advantage. 

 

Joined: 02/19/2012

MGoPoints: 1735