Iowa's Elite Defense Faces Biggest Test Yet at No. 18 Michigan
Kirk Ferentz's Hawkeyes carry a top-10 ground game into The Big House looking to avenge a 2023 conference title game shutout and snap a four-game skid against the undefeated Wolverines.
When No. 17 Iowa visits No. 18 Michigan on Saturday afternoon, it will be their first meeting since the December 2023 Big Ten Championship game, a gap in the series that has become typical this century.
New Michigan Coach Brings Familiar Style
First-year Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham spent the previous 35 years either leading or assisting the staff at Utah, and the Utes never played Iowa in that span. Beyond crossing paths with Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz on a few occasions, Whittingham said they don't really know each other.
Whittingham said he knows enough, based on a brief talk and Ferentz's 28 seasons of results with the Hawkeyes, including 13 straight winning seasons.
My initial impression is, great person and absolute rock-solid football coach. And he has done it the right way for a lot of years.
Iowa's Defense Dominates Early Season
Iowa (3-0) leads the NCAA in scoring defense and total yards allowed per game, thanks in part to the Hawkeyes pitching a shutout against Northern Illinois in their opening week, and against Northern Iowa this past week. Iowa also edged Iowa State 16-13 in Week 2. The Hawkeyes are allowing just 4.3 points and 176.7 yards per game.
Hawkeyes' Ground Game Thrives Despite Injuries
The Hawkeyes offense ranks 10th nationally in rushing, piling up 804 total yards despite missing first- and second-stringers Kamari Moulton and L.J. Phillips at times due to injuries. Ferentz said he'll know closer to kickoff if the running backs, along with tight end DJ Vonnahme, will be ready to go against Michigan.
Even if his offense isn't 100% healthy, Ferentz said he feels more confident in his personnel now than he did in the '23 Big Ten title game, which Michigan won 26-0 on the way to a national championship. It also gave the Wolverines four straight wins against Iowa.
The last time we got together we were a little bit depleted offensively. I think we got a little more octane now in the tank than we did then.
Michigan's Inconsistency Raises Questions
Michigan (3-0) needed a last-second Hail Mary to beat Western Michigan in their season opener. The Wolverines also beat Oklahoma 17-10 in an inconsistent effort, albeit against a team ranked No. 11 at the time. And they led by only three at halftime against UTEP before turning up the energy.
Whittingham said Michigan's desire to win hasn't always been apparent this season.
We definitely need to be more consistent with our enthusiasm, passion, energy -- it seems to ebb and flow a little bit. We've had three really poor halves in that regard -- the entire Western game, and then the first half of this last game. We've got to find a way to get that passion and energy at a high level from start to finish.
The Wolverines did improve their running game against UTEP, and quarterback Bryce Underwood had his best overall performance this season, Whittingham said. The defense has been stout, coming in tied 21st in points allowed. Ferentz said Michigan's front seven has a scary ability to rush the passer.
Youth Movement in Ann Arbor
Some of Michigan's inconsistency could be related to experience, said Whittingham, whose team is the youngest in the Big Ten. It's now Week 4, and they're starting the Big Ten season against a longtime rival. Even if it's not an opponent like Ohio State, that has to help perk things up.
We realize obviously the degree of difficulty gets much higher this week, but I think it was a step forward for our offense.
What's at Stake for Iowa
For Iowa, this game is about more than just staying undefeated. A win would snap a four-game losing streak to Michigan, avenge the 2023 shutout, and prove the Hawkeyes' defense can travel against a Power Five opponent. With the Big Ten title race wide open, a statement win in Ann Arbor would put Iowa squarely in the national conversation.
Kickoff is set for Saturday afternoon at Michigan Stadium. Iowa fans can watch the game on network television or follow live updates online.