Moving onto Iowa
I could bask in this win forever but I sure hope the players and staff have moved onto Iowa. What concerns us about Iowa? On paper this looks like a mismatch but we have struggled with similar ranked teams like Penn St and Nebraska (yes despite their record). Also Rutgers which doesn’t seem possible they played us that close.
Ferentz is a wily old man and we have a history of going down to the wire with his teams. We are 6-7 against him, with the majority being close contests. Now the past won’t influence this game, but he does have a history of getting his team up to play us.
They have a good defense but shaky QB situation and a subpar OL. Can we run on them like we did OSU? I’m greedy but we have made it this far and I don’t even want this game to be close. How do you think it will go down?
November 29th, 2021 at 11:11 AM ^
Jim Harbaugh said it's hit him a lot that the 1980 USA Olympic hockey team beat USSR, but it wasn't the gold-medal game.
— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) November 28, 2021
Reiterating to his team that "This is the championship game, against a great Iowa team in Indianapolis."
Don't worry, the Team has a job to do, prepare for Iowa. We as fans also have a job, be as insufferable as we can on social media. Go Blue. Beat Iowa. Fuck Ohio.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:38 AM ^
This is the best analogy and nice to hear Harbaugh reference it. I dislike having a conference playoff game for this reason. Perhaps if the West was as talented as the East I wouldn't care as much, but I really liked when the M / OSU winner won the Big Ten and that was it.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:11 AM ^
I doubt a process existed to move onto the next game after a big victory. Good thing you brought this up
November 29th, 2021 at 11:15 AM ^
It ain't much, but it's honest work
November 29th, 2021 at 11:14 AM ^
I don't think it's possible to bring that same intensity next week, but bring enough to get it done. Iowa will have a hard time scoring points as their QB's are not good and not very dynamic.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:15 AM ^
If Iowa has more than one long TD drive, it will be because of flukes. They have one good RB, and a good pass-catching TE. But they give up a lot of sacks, and neither QB is very accurate. Their offense is all around just baaaaad.
However, their defense leads the nation in interceptions (22). They also only give up about 100 yards/game on the ground (note: so did OSU until Saturday, lulz). Moving the ball on them won't be easy, but as long as Cade just takes what is given to him and doesn't try to force too much, the scoring drives will come.
Right now, I'm saying 27-13, good guys.
November 29th, 2021 at 3:47 PM ^
With Hankins out it should be a little easier on the Wolverines.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:16 AM ^
What concerns me is that Iowa has a good enough defense and special teams to drag us into a rock fight and then win on a high variance, low sample size type deal. We've seen this in recent history playing Iowa
They have a great punter and kicker. They have a knack for creating turnovers too.
On the other hand, they give up a lot of sacks, their passing game is bad, their 3rd down conversion rate is terrible, and their rushing game is average to below average
If we can get up by a couple scores we should be able to turn it into a comfortable win. If not it could be a nail biter all the way
November 29th, 2021 at 11:55 AM ^
Exactly: don't turn the ball over, don't make a special teams bust. Those are extremely important. I live in Iowa and follow the Hawks pretty closely and recently they can't move the ball, seemingly at all. And they seem downright allergic to the end zone. If Michigan could keep Stroud, Olave and co. under wraps, they definitely should be able to handle Iowa's passing game. They have one guy (Jones) who is vaguely a threat (he's actually a good return man), but they have trouble scheming him open. B Ferentz' play designs and play-calling are downright awful at times. But, don't let Iowa hang around with special teams plays and turnovers because Goodson and LaPorta are pretty good and can make plays and turn it into a close game.
Iowa probably should've lost to Minnesota and they definitely should've lost to Nebraska the other day. But, they're pretty savvy and always play to the level of their opponent. They have no problem winning ugly (something Michigan is just learning how to do now). Michigan should win but they shouldn't expect it to be easy.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:16 AM ^
I think our team is so well coached with such outstanding leaders that we will not overlook this opponent. We have become such a complete team that is excelling in all three phases of the game. Iowa is good at everything, but I think we are better at everything. I like our chances of playing two big games in Indianapolis this season.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:17 AM ^
Iowa has gotten a very favorable schedule this season with no Michigan, Ohio State or Michigan State crossovers. The two teams they played with a pulse that protected the football completely boat raced them (Purdue and Wisconsin). As long as Michigan takes care of the football, I believe they take care of business. Their defense takes advantage of QB's that try to take risks (Taulia Tagovailoa) but QB's like McNamara who take what they can get fair much better. Iowa's OL has the Rimington Award winner, however they are one of the worst in the Big Ten at giving up sacks, play almost exclusively under center and play at one of the slowest paces in the country. That's.... not an ideal matchup vs. Michigan's defense.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:30 AM ^
I didn’t realize Iowa’s cross-over schedule was so weak. The organization of the conference is so idiotic.
When can we just dump Maryland and Rutger?
November 29th, 2021 at 11:45 AM ^
At the beginning of the season, people were saying Iowa was unlucky with the schedule since they had to play ranked Indiana and Penn State as their crossovers, and Nebraska was fortunate that Michigan and Michigan State were on the schedule after both finished below .500 last year. The reverse ended up being true.
It's impossible to make a truly "fair" schedule short of a complete round robin, which can't happen with 14 teams, and is unlikely even with 12. At least the Big Ten has no permanent crossovers except Indiana-Purdue, and plays 9 games, unlike the SEC and ACC which only play 8.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:30 AM ^
Exactly, Iowa quite frankly matches up horribly with us. No tempo, can't throw, likes to get in a rock fight (we're the rock fight kings this year), defense thrives on pass happy QB's who make bad decisions (the anti-Cade if you will), and a weak and young OL (Hutch is about to pad those stats like crazy).
Not to sound like an arrogant Ohio State slappy, but I fail to see where Iowa does anything better than us. And I don't see any matchups that aren't massively in our favor. I was worried about Wisconsin, but Iowa (barring a miracle) seems like the easiest potential opponent you could ask for in a conference title game.
November 29th, 2021 at 12:36 PM ^
I don't want to be cocky...but yeah Iowa just doesn't look that good. They'd be 4th or 5th in the East.
Last 6 games:
lost to Purdue 24-7
lost to Wisconsin 27-7
beat NW 17-12
beat Minnesota 27-22
beat Illinois 33-23
beat Nebraska 28-21 (or maybe more accurately, waited patiently for Nebraska to implode 28-21)
Even their wins were mediocre. If we come out with the same fire we did this past weekend, I think it ends up a 2-3 score win
November 29th, 2021 at 11:39 AM ^
Seems like a team that thrives on turnovers, something we have so far managed to avoid. Cade is very good at avoiding interceptions and fumble recovery is almost entirely luck based. So offense seems like a good matchup for us. On the other side, mediocre sounds like it would be overstating their offensive abilities so.. hard to dislike that matchup too much either.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:17 AM ^
The leadership on this team has been second to none. I know this team will be ready. 3 more wins!!!
November 29th, 2021 at 11:17 AM ^
The leadership on this team has been second to none. I know this team will be ready. 3 more wins!!!
November 29th, 2021 at 11:19 AM ^
Concern #1: Letdown. By far.
Michigan just scored its biggest win this century. It is, literally, a lifelong dream for some of these players. Absolute catharsis.
If ever there was a week when a letdown was possible, a week where practice wasn't quite sharp and attention wasn't quite where it needed to be, it's this week. It is, by far, the biggest threat this team faces, especially since Iowa will be ready.
It is heartening to see Jim Harbaugh specifically reference the Miracle on Ice team, which is the categorical example of a team that was threatened by letdown and came through when it needed to. I cannot quote what Herb Brooks told them, but I wouldn't put it past Harbaugh to do so.
Concern #2: Iowa does not have a good offense, but they have an excellent defense, and they'll want to make this a rock fight. Now, a lot of the things they specialize in--turnovers, special teams, that sort of thing--are things that Michigan is good at. But in a low-amplitude game all it takes is one bad throw into Iowa's well-crafted zone and bad stuff happens. Michigan is good, but not perfect, at avoiding this stuff, and if Iowa can keep this low-scoring, they can win. Not "will," but "can," and all they're looking for is a chance.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:19 AM ^
Defense: Aiden Hutchinson...5 sacks and the Heisman.
Offense. Run it down their throat. No more than 20 passes. Hassan Haskins for 200.
This game will be clinical. Boring. And the ticket to the playoffs!
November 29th, 2021 at 11:33 AM ^
Given that their OL is apparently on par with Penn State's in terms of sacks and their QB is leagues worse than Clifford, our defense might actually outscore their offense. I can absolutely see Hutch or Ojabo getting that defensive touchdown back that the Sparty refs stole from them. Whichever QB they run with may end up looking as battered as Clifford did
November 29th, 2021 at 11:40 AM ^
Too bad Coach Brooks isn't around any longer to come speak to the team this week. What a moment that would be...
November 29th, 2021 at 11:42 AM ^
EDIT: Sorry, this reply was meant for stephenrking
Balancing out concern #1, I have had that thought also but I also have to imagine that Saturday was a huge push in confidence, not just in the players' ability to execute, but to game plan, make adjustments and prepare. This team was so well prepared for osu that I feel the energy to keep riding that wave for a week is completely in their capability.
NOW, that said...I would be concerned about the extended break from this Saturday to the bowl season.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:44 AM ^
Oh I can. The US was losing after 2 periods to Finland. Beat Finland and win the gold medal, lose and get 4th.
So, before the 3rd period Herb said, "If you lose this game, you will take it to your f-ing grave." He walks out of the dressing room, comes back in and screams, "Your f-ing grave."
Suomi didn't have a chance in the 3rd.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:45 AM ^
Concern #3: Infectious disease.
I intend for this to be a "reverse jinx" post. I know that there have been flu outbreaks in SE Michigan and the Omicron variant is probably circulating. Here's hoping for good health this week.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:47 AM ^
This is, actually, a problem this year with various teams, and there's no evidence to suggest that there's any perfect preventative measure.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:57 AM ^
One of the (very very many) reasons the convincing nature of Saturday's win is so uplifting is that it didn't feel like the team exhausted themselves for it. I can only guess as to how hard the players had to push themselves for it, but nothing seemed at all pyrrhic about this victory.
If anything, the vibes I'm getting is that it did more to build momentum than relieve pressure. Still, it was definitely the biggest win in two decades, so who knows.
(EDIT: This reply was also meant for the stephenrking "Concern #1" comment above.)
November 29th, 2021 at 12:08 PM ^
See Couzen Rick's lead off comment. Looks like Harbaugh absolutely gave the team a Brooks-like message, minus THAT word that you don't care for.
I'm more worried about about your second concern than your first. I think the boys will be fired up but Iowa plays an absolutely maddening style of football that has the potential to turn the game into a slog that they win based off of hair pullingly, shirt tearingly random garbage.
Edit: like Onas, I was replying to Rev King's thoughts. Strange things are afoot with the MGoServer today.
November 29th, 2021 at 12:10 PM ^
Absolutely spot-on. The only two ways we can lose are suffering a letdown or giving up crucial turnovers in a low-scoring slog. If we get up 14 points, we win easily.
November 29th, 2021 at 12:17 PM ^
Counterpoint to Concern #1 is nearly all conference championship games played in college football history. I can't think of many examples of a team getting upset in the championship game after a emotional rivalry win the week prior. OSU has won 4 in a row and 5 of 7 after wins over Michigan every year. In the SEC, the Iron Bowl is the direct comparison, but Alabama and Auburn don't seem to have any issue winning the SECCG. Their only losses are to Tim Tebow Florida in 2008, and Auburn to Georgia in 2017, both of which were even matchups.
In fact, the only true CCG upsets (which an Iowa win would be) I can think of are KSU in 2001 and unranked Oregon over USC last year. I understand the concern, but I think the history shows that the better teams normally win these games, maybe even more than you would expect from upset-happy college football. I didn't run that claim through a rigorous analysis, I'm going from memory here, but that's my impression.
November 29th, 2021 at 1:01 PM ^
Totally agree about Concern #1, mainly because of #2 and Iowa haunts our soul; but this isn't MSU playing Purdue after beating us, it's the Big Ten Championship Game. It's kind of like Game of Thrones or other good TV shows, where the major stuff happened in the penultimate episode and the season finale is there to deal with the aftermath and set up the next season (hopefully playoffs!). My guess is that this will be the second best week of practice after last week (Harbaugh does have a mill or 1.5 mill riding on it).
Luckily we didn't have any major injuries Saturday. I do hope everyone stays healthy over the week. OSU was sick coming into the game (as well as some of the fans on the field, I'm sure). Would be a disaster to have some main contributors hindered or out because of sickness. Outside of that, I don't see Iowa beating Michigan. Not after the gauntlet they just went through and the relative cakewalk Iowa has had the last month and a half. This does not look like a team that will be denied by Iowa. Maybe by Georgia, but not Iowa.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:19 AM ^
Double post. Sorry.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:21 AM ^
score early. make them throw. protect the ball and win 30-13. They can't score - they can only come back against nebraska. just like everyone else
November 29th, 2021 at 11:27 AM ^
Methodically march down the field and get up 10-14 points...quickly. Punish them when they are on offense.
I have so much faith in the leadership on this team I think they will be ready. Teams still need punished for what UM has been through...including that msu loss. I think Hutch and Co. will want to deliver more punishment. It is owed.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:27 AM ^
Keys will be taking care of the ball and not getting frustrated when Iowa pulls a rabbit out of a hat every now and then in this game. I expect they will let it loose more than they have all season because they have nothing to lose. If they don't win, they don't get a NY6 bowl.
Stay focused, don't get too up or down. Just win.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:28 AM ^
One area of game strategy that this game with Iowa that should be entirely different than OSU is this:
Against OSU, punting is death.
Against Iowa, it's ok.
I would say that Iowa needs short fields to score. If we get some 4th and 2's around midfield, go ahead and punt. Make Iowa go the long way the whole game.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:33 AM ^
Why do I feel like Iowa will be tougher than OSU? Feels very odd to write, but the emotion and energy spent this week was tremendous.
Then on to Iowa who may be harder to run against and who will also try to force the run of their own.
in retrospect there is some lightning in a bottle in AA, this week will be the real test of this team.
I think they are up for it.
November 29th, 2021 at 12:10 PM ^
123rd out of 130 in total offense on the year. 87th in scoring. Tied with Penn State in allowing the most sacks in the B1G.
Most importantly: the game will not be played at Kinnick.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:34 AM ^
Iowa DB Matt Hankins (3 INTs on the year) is out for the game.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:35 AM ^
The fan base vibe since Saturday about 4 o'clock has been 'season over, this was our Super Bowl'. I sure hope the team feels differently. It would be just about the dumbest thing ever to beat OSU for a *chance* at this, only to squander it vs Iowa.
And even though Iowa outside Kinnick is certainly a very mortal team, their tendencies play to some of our worst tendencies. They sure can shorten a game, make it come down to a couple of turnovers and big plays. They want this to be an old fashioned Big Ten borefest. They want this to be a 10-7 type game at HT.
I've seen a few of their games, and their offense is pretty pedestrian but has often turned it up a notch when called upon in tight situations. Their D is pretty good and very opportunistic. You definitely don't want to be loose with the football vs them.
Michigan should be able to replicate or even better what Wisconsin did to them, but it's definitely not a given that happens. For Wisconsin this was their big rivalry game, so they were up for it. Can Michigan be up for it with the same urgency?
November 29th, 2021 at 12:14 PM ^
We did not "beat OSU for a *chance* at this". We beat OSU because they are bastard coated bastards with bastard filling and nothing may ever feel that sweet again. The B1G title is a goal but that is not the reason anyone wanted to beat OSU Saturday.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:38 AM ^
Iowa's path to victory is likely getting a lucky bounce or two and shortening the game by possessing the ball on long, clock eating drives. Need to take care of the football, have clean special teams especially return teams, and score TDs in the red zone.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:40 AM ^
Use the three-headed beast of Haskins/Corum/Edwards out of the backfield. Continue to threaten a vertical game, this has been important all season.
On defense keep the scheme confusing for the QB and OL. Stop the run and force them into quick drops.
No blunders on Special Teams.
It’s indoors on a fast track. Utilize our superior athletes.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:40 AM ^
Cover the TE all day long and we'll be fine on the defensive side. Mix things up offensively and we'll be fine on the offensive side. Don't let the fluky stuff beat you.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:41 AM ^
Iowa's offense is putrid. Bad OL and Bad QB. Decent RB and WRs, but obviously having a bad OL and QB hinders them. Their defense is good and forces turnovers. If our defense can neutralize their offense like they likely can and we can continue what we've been doing offensively then we should be fine
November 29th, 2021 at 11:41 AM ^
We won't be able to duplicate the intensity of last week, but I doubt the coaching staff and upper classmen are going to allow a let down, they know there's work yet to be done.
we aren't playing them in Kinnick at night, that's good enough for me.
comments aren't intended to be diaries..... FFS. no one is here to read a novel
November 29th, 2021 at 11:42 AM ^
Run, run, run.
Need that to win AND get Corum the 135yds he needs to hit 1000**. Iowa is slow but beefy traditionally, so maybe this will be more of a Corum/Edwards game anyway. See a lot of RB in the passing game and outside runs for M in this game.
**Sure he will hit 1000 in the minimum 2 remaining games but would prefer it to be "regular season" with 2 rushers 1000+
November 29th, 2021 at 8:20 PM ^
So your saying they should favor the RB who is still dinged up cs the workhorse offensive MVP of the team ?
Haskins needs 25-30 carries in this game, he gets better the more he carries the ball, he will wear down their defense if he gets that.
couldn’t care less about 2 x 1,000 yard rushers,regular season is already over anyway
November 29th, 2021 at 11:45 AM ^
I don't think Iowa will have any answer for Aiden Hutchinson and David Ojabo. We just need Cade to be his steady low turnover self to win this one.
Go Blue!
November 29th, 2021 at 11:47 AM ^
A lot of Iowa's success this year--and the last few years, really--has come from picking off passes. I would prepare to run on them until they prove they can stop us
On defense, simply stay disciplined and play your game. This is not one of the better offenses we've played, so the important thing is simply staying focused and intense