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Driftless_Hawk

Junior
Oct 12, 2025
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Michigan ended up rolling UTEP. Will be a very tough game. I think we have a shot though

Also, the shot on Bryce Hawthorne was incredibly dirty. Lineman diving at his knees while engaged with a block. Luckily sounds like he is okay.
 
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DukeSlater

DukeSlater

All-Conference
Jul 2, 2023
2,110
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uihawk82 said:
I think a lot of football thinkers and fans have this as really a toss up. Mich getting the betting nod being the home team but it is basically an even matchup and penalties and turnovers/big plays from missed tackles might decide it.
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Turnovers are usually keys in any halfway competitive football game. Brown has had little competition to play against and almost no pressure so far. Michigan will be coming after him hard. How will he handle it? How will the O-line handle it?

Brown has some mobility, but running isn't his thing. So far he's carried the ball 10 times and fumbled twice, both against ISU, once on the ill-advised QB sneak on 4th and 1, and once on a scramble up the middle. Brown was fortunate enough to recover both of his fumbles, so the narrative is that he hasn't turned the ball over yet. That's true, but it's not because he hasn't tried. Fumbling on 20 percent of your carries is not a good number.

Iowa must be able to pass if they want to establish any kind of running game in Ann Arbor. Iowa should come out throwing the ball all over the field. Doing so would force Michigan to loosen up at the line of scrimmage, thus giving Iowa's RBs a chance. And when it comes to passing, here's an interesting fact that's so obvious: If you throw three passes per series of at least ten yards and complete just one, 33 percent, you pick up a first down every time. Thirty-three percent is a pathetically poor percentage, but that's all it would take to keep drives going.

I could see this game playing out in any number of ways, but for Iowa to have a shot, they must throw the ball effectively. And when they run, they must use a ton of misdirection. Handing it off and running off tackle ain't gonna get it done. Iowa can win. After so many close losses last season, the Hawkeyes really need to take this one and set up the game of the year vs. Ohio State in Kinnick.
 
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83Hawk

83Hawk

All-Conference
Jan 1, 2023
1,696
3,807
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DukeSlater said:
Turnovers are usually keys in any halfway competitive football game. Brown has had little competition to play against and almost no pressure so far. Michigan will be coming after him hard. How will he handle it? How will the O-line handle it?

Brown has some mobility, but running isn't his thing. So far he's carried the ball 10 times and fumbled twice, both against ISU, once on the ill-advised QB sneak on 4th and 1, and once on a scramble up the middle. Brown was fortunate enough to recover both of his fumbles, so the narrative is that he hasn't turned the ball over yet. That's true, but it's not because he hasn't tried. Fumbling on 20 percent of your carries is not a good number.

Iowa must be able to pass if they want to establish any kind of running game in Ann Arbor. Iowa should come out throwing the ball all over the field. Doing so would force Michigan to loosen up at the line of scrimmage, thus giving Iowa's RBs a chance. And when it comes to passing, here's an interesting fact that's so obvious: If you throw three passes per series of at least ten yards and complete just one, 33 percent, you pick up a first down every time. Thirty-three percent is a pathetically poor percentage, but that's all it would take to keep drives going.

I could see this game playing out in any number of ways, but for Iowa to have a shot, they must throw the ball effectively. And when they run, they must use a ton of misdirection. Handing it off and running off tackle ain't gonna get it done. Iowa can win. After so many close losses last season, the Hawkeyes really need to take this one and set up the game of the year vs. Ohio State in Kinnick.
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Definitely need to pass to set up the run. If the Hawks come out running 90% of the time into a brick wall, they are going to be behind real fast. Then they will HAVE to throw, which is not a good scenario.
 
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M

MAXIMUSHAWKEYE

Senior
Jan 3, 2004
412
849
93
DukeSlater said:
Turnovers are usually keys in any halfway competitive football game. Brown has had little competition to play against and almost no pressure so far. Michigan will be coming after him hard. How will he handle it? How will the O-line handle it?

Brown has some mobility, but running isn't his thing. So far he's carried the ball 10 times and fumbled twice, both against ISU, once on the ill-advised QB sneak on 4th and 1, and once on a scramble up the middle. Brown was fortunate enough to recover both of his fumbles, so the narrative is that he hasn't turned the ball over yet. That's true, but it's not because he hasn't tried. Fumbling on 20 percent of your carries is not a good number.

Iowa must be able to pass if they want to establish any kind of running game in Ann Arbor. Iowa should come out throwing the ball all over the field. Doing so would force Michigan to loosen up at the line of scrimmage, thus giving Iowa's RBs a chance. And when it comes to passing, here's an interesting fact that's so obvious: If you throw three passes per series of at least ten yards and complete just one, 33 percent, you pick up a first down every time. Thirty-three percent is a pathetically poor percentage, but that's all it would take to keep drives going.

I could see this game playing out in any number of ways, but for Iowa to have a shot, they must throw the ball effectively. And when they run, they must use a ton of misdirection. Handing it off and running off tackle ain't gonna get it done. Iowa can win. After so many close losses last season, the Hawkeyes really need to take this one and set up the game of the year vs. Ohio State in Kinnick.
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ISU was a good test for Brown. Don't sleep on ISU. I think they are going to be a decent bowl eligible team in the 12. How did WM beat Michigan? (because they did) Did the Michigan QB suck? How did Michigan not dominate the LOS? WE know the QB can hurt us with his legs and they always have great talent at RB and WR. I still like our chances if the zebras stay neutral.
 
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Jonesy5960

Jonesy5960

Heisman
Feb 1, 2023
6,376
13,154
113
MAXIMUSHAWKEYE said:
Just like Nebby
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Yup. Over the last 10 years people have figured out that they suck, but it didn't used to be that way. From 2002 to 2014 Nebby was ranked in the preseason 9 times. Out of those 9 years they finished unranked 5 times and significantly lower ranked 3 times. Only once did the finish near to or higher than their preseason rankings.
 
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I

iahawkeyes17

All-Conference
Apr 22, 2014
829
2,106
83
Hawkfan82 said:
Oklahoma preseason ranking is usually better than Oklahoma end of season ranking.
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They didn’t look good vs New Mexico Saturday night winning only 14-6. Maybe OU offense not as good as many would’ve thought with their qb Mateer returning.

UNM coach Jason Eck is a Wisconsin alum wonder if he will be on their short list when they fire Fickell.
 
Heathen Raider

Heathen Raider

All-Conference
Nov 18, 2017
639
1,674
93
This game will come down to the normal things, Turnovers and field position but a few keys will be Iowa's OTs vs UM DEs, Can Iowa have time to throw the ball and can it run the ball enough to keep the pass rush under control . On Defense If Iowa can control UMs running game and make Underwoods arm win the game for Michigan I like the Hawks chances a lot more .
 
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H

HawksRule73

All-Conference
Jun 26, 2025
758
1,934
93
83Hawk said:
Definitely need to pass to set up the run. If the Hawks come out running 90% of the time into a brick wall, they are going to be behind real fast. Then they will HAVE to throw, which is not a good scenario.
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I don't know....WMU seemed to have fairly decent success running against them. I still think we have to come out and try and establish a running game if, for no other reason, than to shorten the game. I noticed on SP+ that Michigan has one of the worst special teams rankings....I think that's an area we can take advantage of....
 
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85Bears

85Bears

All-American
Aug 31, 2019
5,705
5,918
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HawksRule73 said:
I don't know....WMU seemed to have fairly decent success running against them. I still think we have to come out and try and establish a running game if, for no other reason, than to shorten the game. I noticed on SP+ that Michigan has one of the worst special teams rankings....I think that's an area we can take advantage of....
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UTEP took advantage of their over aggressive D on a few nice plays in the first half, Michigan overpursues.




 
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HawksRule73

All-Conference
Jun 26, 2025
758
1,934
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85Bears said:
UTEP took advantage of their over aggressive D on a few nice plays in the first half, Michigan overpursues.




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We've had a couple of out-route pass plays that have come close to being intercepted. What TL needs to do is throw in some double-move out-and-ups. They'll bite on those out routes and then just head up the sideline and hopefully Hank can get it to them.

I also think we're going to see A TON of motion from TL. Most of it will be eye candy, but if it can get their LBs to hesitate for just a second on their run fits, I do think we can bust a couple of long runs.
 
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DukeSlater

DukeSlater

All-Conference
Jul 2, 2023
2,110
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85Bears said:
UTEP took advantage of their over aggressive D on a few nice plays in the first half, Michigan overpursues.




Click to expand...

Over pursuing defenses are perfect for Lester's misdirection, which is why I was shocked that he didn't use it vs. ISU but did against UNI. Anyway, many of Iowa's offensive plays feature some fantastic misdirection. Unleash that stuff, and you can see some really big plays by the Hawkeyes.
 
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WeBeHerkin

All-American
Aug 5, 2016
4,988
5,659
113
r_desihawk said:
just saw that michigan DL is ranked #1
after what isu managed that is a worrisome proposition. hank better be ready to do more than hand offs
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In that ranking is West Mich and UTEP. Jury out on Oklahoma who was in a close game at home last week against New Mexico
 
JerseyCityHawk

JerseyCityHawk

All-Conference
Jul 6, 2025
1,290
2,089
112
r_desihawk said:
just saw that michigan DL is ranked #1
after what isu managed that is a worrisome proposition. hank better be ready to do more than hand offs
Click to expand...
And if he pulls a statue Petras that’s not going to bode well… receivers need to get quick separation and Hank needs to be spot on either way sage passes…like some sideline passes then loosen that defense up and throw a few down the field passes… the line needs to block like never b4 as he needs time to setup in the pocket
 
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