Iowa Hawkeyes Face Uphill Battle at Michigan in Big Ten Showdown
Iowa football fans have a big Saturday ahead as the No. 17 Hawkeyes travel to Ann Arbor to face No. 18 Michigan in a pivotal Big Ten clash. CBS Sports analysts see tough sledding for Iowa's offense, but the game carries major implications for the College Football Playoff race. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+.
What's at stake for Iowa and Michigan?
Both teams enter Week 4 with playoff aspirations, but the loser may find its CFP hopes severely dented. Iowa's defense has been stout, but CBS Sports' Tom Fornelli predicts the Hawkeyes will struggle to move the ball against a Michigan defense that has been opportunistic early this season. Fornelli's Lock of the Week favors the Wolverines, citing Iowa's offensive inconsistencies.
Michigan, meanwhile, is looking to bounce back from a shaky start and prove it belongs in the national conversation. The Wolverines have leaned on their ground game and a swarming defense, but Iowa's physical style could make this a low-scoring, grind-it-out affair.
Big Ten and SEC headline a loaded college football slate
This week's schedule is packed with ranked matchups that could reshape the playoff picture. In the Big Ten, No. 12 USC hosts No. 20 Oregon in a game where both coaches face intense pressure. Lincoln Riley needs to show the Trojans are back among the elite, while Dan Lanning is still chasing his first championship season at Oregon.
The SEC features three top-25 showdowns, including No. 1 Texas at No. 14 Tennessee, a game so big that President Donald Trump will attend. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian noted that presidential movement inside the stadium can disrupt coach-to-player communications, a quirk that added an extra layer of intrigue. Tennessee will also be without linebackers coach William Inge, who is hospitalized with a personal medical issue.
NFL Week 3: Cowboys and Ravens make history in Brazil
In the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens will play the league's first regular-season game in Brazil, with no bye week for either team afterward. Our experts lean toward Baltimore, but only if wide receiver Zay Flowers plays. If he sits, Dallas could pull off the win, according to analyst Jared Dubin.
Week 3 also features several live underdogs to watch, including the Rams at Broncos (+2.5), Texans at Colts (+2.5), and Panthers at Browns (+2.5). The Steelers could go touchdown-less for a second straight game, and eight teams remain unbeaten heading into the weekend.
Other sports news you need to know
Beyond the gridiron, there's plenty happening in the sports world. The MLB playoffs are taking shape, with key series like Orioles at Yankees and Dodgers at Giants this weekend. In boxing, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua finally set a date for their long-awaited heavyweight bout. The NBA is mourning the loss of legendary Lakers PA announcer Lawrence Tanter and Bob Pettit, the league's first MVP.
For Iowa fans, there's also a notable development in college basketball: Iowa State and Miami climbed in the preseason Top 25 And 1 thanks to the return of fifth-year players, and Michigan's Roddy Gayle won a potentially seismic eligibility case.
How to watch Iowa at Michigan and other key games
Here's a quick look at Saturday's marquee matchups:
- No. 17 Iowa at No. 18 Michigan – 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS/Paramount+
- No. 1 Texas at No. 14 Tennessee – noon ET on ABC
- No. 20 Oregon at No. 12 USC – 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC
- No. 23 Texas A&M at No. 10 LSU – 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC
- No. 15 Utah at Iowa State – 3:30 p.m. ET on Fox
For Iowa fans, the Hawkeyes' trip to Michigan is the main event. Can Iowa's defense keep them in the game, or will Michigan's offense finally click? Tune in Saturday afternoon to find out.