Grade Session: Michigan offense vs Iowa
Michigan got Iowa-ed.
That is the simplest explanation for how the Wolverines gained 429 yards, averaged 6.3 yards per play, generated six explosive passes and still finished with 19 points.
JJ Buchanan
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Michigan’s mistakes leave the door open for Iowa’s walk-off win
Michigan spent most of Saturday looking like the better football team against Iowa.
It moved the ball. It controlled possession. Its defense repeatedly shut down the Hawkeyes. Bryce Underwood found Andrew Marsh and JJ Buchanan against Iowa’s secondary, while the Wolverines eventually started creating room on the ground.
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Gameday Calls: Five bold predictions for Michigan vs Iowa
Iowa brings one of the best statistical defenses in the country to Michigan Stadium, along with a rushing attack built to drag the game into the fourth quarter. This is not a matchup where Michigan needs Bryce Underwood to throw for 300 yards or one running back to take over. It is a game about staying clean, finding enough explosive plays, and making Iowa play from behind.
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The Game Plan: Michigan vs Iowa
Michigan opens Big Ten play against an Iowa team built to punish mistakes and make every possession matter. The Wolverines’ offensive progress finally looked real against UTEP, but Saturday will show whether those answers hold up against Phil Parker’s defense.
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Grade Session: Michigan Offense vs UTEP
Michigan's offense spent the first half making a blowout look much harder than it eventually became.
The Wolverines moved the ball on their opening possession, reached the UTEP 24 and then lost a Bryce Underwood fumble. Savion Hiter coughed it up on Michigan's fourth possession, handing UTEP the ball at the Wolverines' 18 and helping the Miners take a 14-7 lead.
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Michigan shakes off sloppy first half, overwhelms UTEP in 52-17 win
For a half, Michigan made this far more complicated than it ever needed to be.
Then the Wolverines came out of the locker room and turned the game into exactly what everyone expected.
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The Game Plan: Michigan vs UTEP
UTEP is Michigan’s last game before Big Ten play begins, and this should not be another afternoon where Underwood has to become the run game because nothing else works. Michigan should be able to control this matchup physically. The interesting part is whether it can use that advantage to fix the things before Iowa.
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Grade Session: Michigan offense vs. Oklahoma
Michigan beat Oklahoma, protected the football and walked away 2-0.
That alone makes this a much more encouraging offensive review than the Western Michigan opener.
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The Game Plan: How Michigan can beat No. 11 Oklahoma
There is a version of Saturday where Western Michigan ends up being the best thing that could have happened to this team. Not because needing a Hail Mary to survive a MAC opponent was somehow good. It wasn’t. The value would be in what happened after it.
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Gameday Calls: Five predictions for Michigan vs. Oklahoma
Michigan's first game gave us plenty to work with. The second one should tell us a lot more.
Oklahoma is a different test, and the numbers around this matchup point to a game that looks a lot more uncomfortable than the opener. The Sooners are expected to move the ball. John Mateer is expected to make plays. Michigan probably isn't winning this one because Bryce Underwood throws for 350 yards and the Wolverines cruise.
