Predictions against Iowa?

Michigan winning this game. Look for our rush offense to be stuffed. We can't win at Iowa. Hawkeyes 20 Wolverines 13

21-16 Michigan. Ferentz bucks trend and gets aggressive in a spot where he probably should just Dumb Punt™. Michigan's defense holds. We get in the end zone thrice.

because

I think the line showed definite improvement last week with the change in blocking scheme to extended doubles of the defensive tackles - I expect that we will get decent rushing yardage but no huge plays in the run game. Iowa is going to blitz, which is against what they normally do - this should leave the TEs open so it's up to Gardner to be looking for Butt on every play.

On the other side, I just don't see Iowa's offense being able to do much at all against this defense. They're going to have a couple Norse saga drives, but that's it.

I'm thinking M 14 Iowa 13, with the 2nd touchdown coming on the last drive of the game when Borges decides that no huddle is a thing.

I predict very cold hands. 

30: It’s the number of times Devin Gardner has been sacked. No Michigan quarterback in the BCS era has been sacked more times in a season. 

 

Sorry - that is why we lose and continue to until rectifed.

 

Why?  No one respects the run; Garner makes mistakes when its even a near sack; we freeking play action 2 out of every three plays it seems (opponents simply ignore that -- as you all know)

I think GERGian principles keep Iowa from getting effective pressure on Gardner which will allow Michigan to dink and dunk and also open up the run game a bit. We'll likely struggle keeping drives alive against their bend, don't break defense with a few negative plays here and there getting us behind the sticks, but we'll put up some FGs and get a touchdown somewhere in there.

On the other side of the ball, we'll stop the run but give up frustrating 3rd and longs as Iowa also moves the ball but eventually falls victim to our own bend, don't break defense.

It'll be close and a critical turnover decides a low scoring game. Gun to my head, I predict Michigan coughs up an INT because you can't play with fire forever without getting burned.

Iowa 23 - Michigan 16

A low scoring boring affair in which Mattison does a good job holding Iowa to almost nothing and Borges outsmarts himself into unproductive offensive oblivion.  10-9 Iowa.

We may need some special teams help or a couple turnovers to win this one guys. I'll be interested to see if we can pick up where we left off running the ball last week. Here's to hoping!

We will come out and surprise everyone this week and actually play pretty good. I've been hard on the team all year but think this week they will come up w a win.

Michigan 31
Iowa 20

Aren't we due for the out of nowhere well-called, well-planned Borges gameplan? You know, the one that explains his career longevity and begs the question why we don't see that more often?  Haven't seen one of those since week 2 and we know it's not coming next week.

Accordingly:  The sweet taste of victory against NW envigorates an offense newly energized by the thrill of (finally) successfully running the ball with two young bruising backs now beginning to find their groove in the college game. Borges observes this during the week and composes a brilliant gameplan balancing power & zone runs, short passing, play action and spreading the ball everywhere to Gallon, Funcess, Butt and even Chesson. Iowa tries some of the MSU and Nebraska defensive gameplan stuff but Borges has finally adjusted. We roll 27 - 13.

Borges is given credit for finally adapting his game plan, infuriating his detractors and giving hope to his supporters before another OSU stinker. Most confusing season ever concludes.

I hate all the pessimism on this board, so I'm not even going to share my prediction that Michigan loses 17-13.

Edit: disregard, put this in the wrong thread

if Gardner plays well,  we win.  Simple as that.  My faith in that happening is very slim though

Going out on a big ass limb to say Michigan plays surprisingly well and wins 35 to 17

In three overtimes.

7-6 Michigan

I think we should play Northwestern again.