What are the chances of this game getting out of hand?

Last year when our offensive wasn't nearly this explosive we were able to put up points. I feel like we should be able to this year. Shoelace had a bad game last week, it happens. I also think our defense will be able to capitalize on the mistakes that Stanzi is known to make when he throws those floaters out there. Don't get me wrong I'm not guaranteeing a win, all I'm saying is that last year's performance combined with the chance for some of Stanzi's mistakes to cancel out our defensive giveaways, plus a home game, could be a recipe for success. 

Michigan has played six games this season. In five of those games, they did an excellent job on capitalizing offensively. In the sixth, they did not. If Denard had thrown three interceptions, the outcome of every game would have been reversed with the exception of BGSU and possibly UConn. Without the interceptions, the most recent game would have been a close contest, regardless of the defense. Allow me to predict that Clayborn finds his shoelaces untied come gametime.

I am calling my shot now. Denard will come back strong. The offense will put up points and move the ball. Everyone will have an off game sometime during the season. For example: Ryan Mallet imploded against Alabama and Mark Ingram had no impact rushing for 41 yards in last weeks loss to South Carolina. Even experienced players make mistakes and/or struggle.

I wish it hadn't been last week as it was my first time to the Big House.

In fact, everyone needs to read the UFR. For a quarter of that game, we were completely and totally dominant, even on DEFENSE. We will win this weekend, so stop posting like it's a foregone conclusion that we won't. That's why they play the games, you know.

2 main reasons:

1) I have faith (nothing else to go on.....so) that Denard is a man of his word and rebounds well

2) Coaching adjustments - more Demans; more sticking to the run.  It was working well in the game, we just went away from it way too soon.  I expect that we will stick to the running game more this Saturday. And more 4 man fronts switching to a 4-2-5 in passing down.

go root for usc rojoforever. did you not watch the MooU game? we dominated on offense and shot ourselves in the foot a couple of times. If you think one DL can make a difference that large then I suggest you go watch the second half of last year's game at Kinnick. DRob ran all over that Iowa D line and that's when he had a ZERO percent chance of throwing the ball. 

How many bone-headed mistakes have you seen Denard make this year? 2 poor throws trying to force things in the endzone against msu is the only thing you're gunna find.

Maybe not that great.  Ferentz is only 2-5 in his career after a bye.

get out of hand. Iowa may not be able to keep up scoring...

I wouldn't go as far as saying that it's likely, but I also wouldn't go as far as saying it's slim.  I'll just stick with there is a chance.

Look, I know people are looking at last week as "Our offense dominated and just missed out on a few opportunities or else it would have been a different game."  I agree with the sentiment, but that's part of football and it happens in every game.  Nearly every team that ever lost a game in college football can look back at a few missed opportunities and say "what if?"  That's what we are doing a lot of right now.  Now I think it will get better, but the fact that it did happen against a team with a better D then Michigan was used to points to the fact that a blow out could happen again.

History is on our side, last year was close at their place, the offense is close.  There is also a chance we win the game.  I'm not going to go as far as saying it's likely or that it's slim, but there is a chance.  I think the chances of us winning are more than the chances of us getting blown out.  All that though, doesn't equate to us winning.  But I think both are legit possibilities as far as outcomes, and if you don't see that and you're only seeing all the close but no cigar things from last week, then God bless your optimistic heart. This team just doesn't have the depth or experience to go as far as saying that the chances are "slim to none".

Still, no matter the subs we put on D and whatever we do, we can only hope to be average at best (though Iowa isn't a great offense, they are about on the MSU level, so hope to hold them around 450 yards +/- 50).  Also, their defense is very good and very sound assignment wise.  Michigan's offense takes advantage of blown assignments.  When there aren't as many the offense, while still effective, isn't to the same degree.  If the offense falters, particularly early, it could lead to something MSU-esk.

I guess, in conclusion, I would say that it is a possibility, but not enough that it is likely, and therefore not enough to get worked up over right now.  Just hope that Michigan D doesn't play worse than usual and that the offense comes out swinging and executing. 

on Iowa.

Oh, you meant them beating us badly? Uhm, it could happen, but I don't think it's a sure thing either.

I think the 4-4 that we busted out will get another look this weekend.  The fewer secondary personnel we run out there, the better.  So I think this new look will give Iowa enough trouble that we should be some stops early.

And I think our offense, which has been pointed, is way more experienced than last year's unit, that our troubles shouldn't be on that side of the ball.  Clayborn may be a beast, but you can run away from him. 

If anything, I could see us get ahead by a couple scores while they figure out our D and just not let Iowa catch up in the second half.

Um?...

who knows.  i was confident this past week, since we took msu to OT in 2009. but we got beat soundly at home this year.  we took iowa down to the wire on the road last year too. but this year, who knows.  denard needs to play a near perfect game for any chance of winning, imo.

For some reason, I feel better about this game than l did about Sparty.  We did match up well last year against Iowa (except defending their tight end).  I think it will be close.  If we win the turnover battle, Michigan will be in this game. 

I will be at this game and Michigan has NEVER lost when I have attended!

at WR and especially at RB, so I don't think they're as dangerous on that side of the ball as MSU is. For that reason alone I think an Iowa blowout is not very likely. That doesn't mean I think we're going to win; I've had this in the loss column since before the season started, but it will be a bit closer than 17 points. Sure, if we turn the ball over 6 times it could get ugly, but it's pointless to worry about that scenario; it's just as possible that Iowa does that. It'll be interesting to see if the midline makes an appearance, and if they yank Stephen Hopkins again after gaining 13 yds on two carries. That's still got me puzzled.

a close-ish game this weekend. I think there's very little chance of a blowout - for either team. Iowa is solid but tomorrow we will see the difference between this year's team and last year's. Denard is too good to have two "mediocre" games in a row and the defense will finally show up. 31-27 good guys.

I would be worried if we we were completely stopped by MSU last week. We drove the ball extremely well that first quarter and anytime you repeatedly shoot yourself in the foot like that there will be problems especially with a young QB. Hell there's more than half the QB's in the NFL that can't mentally comeback after 3 picks. It happens, my faith is in the offense and a decent showing by the defense. 28-20 Good guys

we had a better turnover ratio than MSU, unfortunately the tables completely turned and it cost us the game.  Even up the turnovers and we win, IMO.  This team got nicked in the pride last week and they will come back strong, just as they did against BGSU after a close UMass game. 

We will need balance on offense to keep them guessing, but I think Denard comes back huge in this game, say 150 rushing and 400 total.  Clean up the turnovers, and Michigan can beat Iowa at home.  Last week (as promised) my voice was gone.  Let's rock the house again! 

If the game gets out of hand, we can always give Tater and Devin some PT.  GO BLUE!!

42-17, Michigan.

See you at the game...

Expecting fewer turnovers, maybe none, and some improvement on defense.  Translates into a win.  We will be happy tomorrow night.

Are chances are good if we control the line and give Denard time to do what Denard does. He's a gifted athlete that has improved drasticly from last year. Our stable of backs need to give him a break and break a few more tackles and show the greatness to why they were recruited . Our wideouts just need to catch balls and not fall apart as they did last week.

Now to our D.... Just tackle and play in space... Wrap up no bumps these aren't high school kids anymore.

We do this and the game is in the bag 31-17 Michigan!!!!!!



Either way the game will be determined by how we answer each drive and begin the game. A quick score means the last game didn't phase us at all

I think there is a good chance we can get up early and Stanziball will get ugly.  If our offense converts drives in the red zone into points and executes on defense, this certainly could force Iowa to play out of character.

A great performance by the offense in this game would be a mega building block. Win or lose.  Whether or not it gets ugly bad for Michigan depends on the ability of the offense to: 1. score early and often and 2. protect the ball.

I have too much respect for Iowa to think this game will get out of hand.

But you never know. If Denard brings his A game, anything is possible

Zero

Don't worry, Rich and staff will not embarass Iowa when we get up by 27 points!!! Go Blue!