B1G CCG: M vs Iowa - what are the keys to the game?
The B1G CCG kicks off at 8:17 pm on Saturday. It’s Michigan vs Iowa. Iowa comes in with a 10-2 record, and - were it not for an official calling an Iowa punt returner’s coverage hand signals as a fair catch - Iowa would be 11-1.
We’re all familiar with the strength of Iowa’s D, their punting, and offense.
What do you think are the keys to the game?
As a Michigan fan, it seems pretty straightforward. “Do what you’ve been doing.” Play clean - protect the ball - limit / minimize penalties - and execute the game plan.
Both D’s are strong. Michigan’s O is the difference. One play, series, and game at a time. Enjoy.
Go Blue!
December 1st, 2023 at 9:33 AM ^
Show up.
December 1st, 2023 at 9:41 AM ^
Thank God this won't be the players' or coaches' attitude. But it's mine too, and fortunately our feelings have no impact on the game.
December 1st, 2023 at 10:24 AM ^
Win.
Don't get hurt.
December 1st, 2023 at 11:07 AM ^
Make one FG and don't get bored on defense.
December 1st, 2023 at 11:49 AM ^
Stole my answer.
December 1st, 2023 at 9:35 AM ^
Show up. Trick plays. Chip on shoulder. Look forward to seeing Pettiti.
December 1st, 2023 at 9:36 AM ^
We need to score more points than we give to them.
December 1st, 2023 at 10:08 AM ^
Every time I open one of these threads this is the first comment I look for. It’s still funny. Thanks.
December 1st, 2023 at 10:27 AM ^
I don't think we're going to GIVE them any points. That's not winning with cruelty, my friend...
December 1st, 2023 at 9:36 AM ^
Score more points than them.
Buffered by no turnovers
That should be a winning recipe!
Bet〽️
December 1st, 2023 at 9:39 AM ^
Win the turnover battle. Prevent special teams and defensive scores. I see these as Iowa's only conceivable path to a victory.
December 1st, 2023 at 9:41 AM ^
Their dangerman is the punter. We need to do everything we can to contain him, and plan for ways in which a punter can score, and counter those, as Iowa is likely to unload all their punter gadget plays they’ve been planning for us since July.
December 1st, 2023 at 9:49 AM ^
I think they're going to run a fake punt at some point. But I think we should go for a block on every punt. A blocked punt would be very demoralizing to Iowa.
December 1st, 2023 at 10:34 AM ^
Except that it being Iowa, it would probably bounce off the Iowa goal posts, and then rebound to be downed all the way down the field at the Michigan 1 yard line.
December 1st, 2023 at 1:21 PM ^
That would be SO Iowa!
December 1st, 2023 at 10:35 AM ^
They might run a punt flicker where the punter lines up at QB, the RB takes the hand off, and pitches the ball back for a punt. Watch out for it, M!
December 1st, 2023 at 11:02 AM ^
I think our punter is better than theirs. Fortunately for them, we won't be using our punter as we are going to score every drive or go for it on all 4th downs.
December 1st, 2023 at 12:27 PM ^
I say we sell out to attack the punter on their first punt . Have 12 maniacal Wolverines come after him. Get him rattled or maybe even get a block
December 1st, 2023 at 2:58 PM ^
What good would a block do with 12 men on the field?
December 1st, 2023 at 9:43 AM ^
Don’t let their defense score. Win the turnover battle.
December 1st, 2023 at 9:43 AM ^
Don't get hurt, score 17 points.
December 1st, 2023 at 9:44 AM ^
Show up and don't **** up.
December 1st, 2023 at 9:47 AM ^
Get up early, Iowa can't come from behind. Expect a fake punt somewhere. Don't turn the ball over.
December 1st, 2023 at 11:25 AM ^
Expect a fake punt somewhere.
And take the ball out of the hands of their best player?
December 1st, 2023 at 9:47 AM ^
Kirk Ferentz has shown a proclivity to break out of his Iowa shell for Michigan games. I'd expect them to go for it on 4th downs on our side of the 50, for example.
Not enough time for him to put in a whole new offense, like Lloyd Carr did for the Citrus (technically Capital One) Bowl in 2008. But more than that, he doesn't have the horses for it. This actually could have been a lot more interesting with Cade and All and Dejean and Lachey. I know they struggled even when healthy, but the talent is there.
So, defensively, load up the box. Let Barrett cover the blocky/catchy guys who are still on the field.
Offensively, given that we beat OSU without running JJ, I assume we won't see a single designed keep or read for him. Use whatever trick plays we had planned for OSU but didn't end up using. No need to have Edwards throw the ball, Iowa's seen that and we just used it. I expect more Orji-cat. Generally attempt to control the game with runs and throws over the middle to Loveland...like every other game we've done this year. Maaaaaaybe run some play action?!?!!!?!?!
Honestly this is incredibly straightforward.
December 1st, 2023 at 10:01 AM ^
I was afraid Iowa might try to install the triple option for this game. Thanks for the insight!
December 1st, 2023 at 10:05 AM ^
Not a bad idea. Maybe they have been working on a secret triple option all year long, waiting to unleash it in the Big Ten championship game. Could be trouble.
December 1st, 2023 at 10:07 AM ^
When Loyd spanked Urban with his new game plan it was glorious, but I remember being pissed because that kind of gameplan would have gotten us at least one more NC if he would have implemented throughout his tenure here.
December 1st, 2023 at 10:41 AM ^
McNamara was playing poorly when he got injured.
December 1st, 2023 at 9:48 AM ^
Take care of the ball on offense
Keep everything in front of them in the secondary
Suffocate their running game
If ever there was a game to play it conservative and sit on a 14 point lead and bleed clock, this is it. Get the W, the trophy, and get out healthy
December 1st, 2023 at 9:50 AM ^
No turnovers, no penalties, no injuries. Go Blue!
December 1st, 2023 at 9:50 AM ^
Score at least two points.
December 1st, 2023 at 9:55 AM ^
If Michigan is a boa constrictor then Iowa is the bratty kid at a birthday party who blows up balloons then makes them squeak while letting out the air. Both have the same result - fewer offensive plays for their opponent. This makes ball security one of the most important aspects of the game. Take care of the ball and Michigan wins the game. Unless things break down terribly, the Iowa offense shouldn't score at all. They have the worst offensive SP+ ranking of all our opponents other than ECU.
December 1st, 2023 at 10:16 AM ^
I'm not following the balloon metaphor.
December 1st, 2023 at 11:09 AM ^
They both let the air out of the offense. One is beautiful to watch. The other is annoying and grates on the senses.
December 1st, 2023 at 9:56 AM ^
Score 20 pts
December 1st, 2023 at 9:56 AM ^
Score 6 points.... I kid I kid
This game has me worried especially after the Big Ten Network segment with Jake Butt yesterday on the 2016 loss. However this is not being played where we have to sit in pink locker-rooms.
Play Clean football do not give their offense anything unearned
Continue to stop the run! Make QB try to beat you
Stay healthy - Especially JJ. To win this all he is going to have to really cement his legacy as one of the all time greats at U of M. I think he does it!
I expect to see some trickery which will annoy me on why we didn't save until semi-final.
Fake WR screen to Morgan slipping out a TE deep
Fake swing pass to Edwards post behind the safety from back side. Was screaming for this when I watch OSU aggressiveness to those two plays.
December 1st, 2023 at 10:01 AM ^
I saw an article the other day headlined "Now that UM has won The Game, they face the ultimate test: Iowa" and I had to set my phone down because I was afraid I would drop it as I shook from laughter.
I think you can pretty much plug in any of the keys from any random B1G East game (outside of Ohio State and maybe Penn State) and they apply. As long as UM doesn't blow a coverage and allow a long TD or miss a lane and allow a special teams TD or something, I don't really see any way Iowa can put up enough points to hang in the game.
December 1st, 2023 at 10:01 AM ^
If Michigan can get an early lead and force Iowa to try and catch up, forget about it.
Otherwise, just don't turn the ball over and Iowa won't be able to score.
December 1st, 2023 at 10:02 AM ^
This wasn’t thread worthy, and this seems like a good place for this question: any update on Hinton’s status?
December 1st, 2023 at 10:02 AM ^
Get a 3 score lead early and sit on it. Let JJ (and any of the other walking wounded) rest as much as possible.
December 1st, 2023 at 10:16 AM ^
Yep. Seems, at least to me that Orji would be the backup, at least he's got the most upside. Sett JJ after the half and roll with Alex and let it rip.
December 1st, 2023 at 12:28 PM ^
I’m pretty sure Tuttle is the backup. But I wouldn’t mind seeing more Orji. (lol)
December 1st, 2023 at 10:05 AM ^
Don't get hurt. Try to post 17 points in the first quarter and then put in the second team.
December 1st, 2023 at 10:06 AM ^
Don't get anyone hurt. I can't see any possible way Iowa even keeps this a game unless Michigan suffers 11 season ending injuries each on the first play for offense / defense.
December 1st, 2023 at 10:09 AM ^
- Do not play down to the level of competition
- Focus
- Establish successful vertical passing game early
- Get up by 15+ points in first half
- No turnovers or short field opportunities for them
December 1st, 2023 at 10:09 AM ^
Score early and put them in a hole, can’t burn early downs, come out aggressive and force an already weak offense to be one dimensional. Get starters out by the 4th quarter.
December 1st, 2023 at 10:14 AM ^
Score at least once.
December 1st, 2023 at 10:15 AM ^
Punting is Losing.
Last year at Kinnick, a group of guys were there celebrating a birthday and all had on Maize and Blue "Punting is Losing" shirts. Classic.
December 1st, 2023 at 10:23 AM ^
Pull out the gameplan from two years ago and we win easily.