The Michigan Wolverines (3-0) are back at The Big House this weekend to open up Big Ten play against the Iowa Hawkeyes (3:30 p.m., CBS). In this week’s Roundtable, Maize n Brew staff members give their final thoughts on last week’s blowout win over UTEP, some bold predictions for tomorrow’s game and more!
Realizing the opponent’s talent level, what were your biggest takeaways from last weekend’s win over UTEP?
Von: My biggest takeaway was this defensive line group is LOADED with talent. I was high
on John Henry Daley heading into the season, but how about the early-season breakout from Dom Nichols? Admittedly, he was not really on my radar heading into the season, but he has had a great start to his junior year. Nate Marshall has also flashed at times, and Tariq Boney and Carter Meadows make for a really exciting freshman duo that should keep Michigan dominant along the defensive line for years to come.
Scotty: I’m starting to accept that the offensive line isn’t at the level I thought it would be. Underwood was able to run the ball very well against Oklahoma, which gives me confidence in the run game, but there was more poor play from the line against UTEP than I was expecting.
Zach Libby: 1st half – meh. 2nd half – expected.
Matt Eifert: To the positive, Michigan has a plethora of talented edge rushers for both now and the future. We know John Henry Daley and Dom Nichols are very good, if not elite, but Tariq Boney and Carter Meadows looked incredibly impressive in extended playing time. To the negative, Michigan is still struggling to get its run game going. The offensive line should have had no trouble generating push against UTEP’s defensive line. While the stats look fine, it didn’t feel like the offensive line had a great game live.
Kellen: I didn’t think this was an offense that was even capable of scoring 52 points, but I’m glad to be proven wrong. Aside from the early turnover problems, I thought Underwood looked really good. That offensive line still needs a LOT of work, but I think this game was a step in the right direction.
Grace: Michigan’s offense got some things going. I thought Bryce Underwood looked composed, and it was nice the offense didn’t need to rely on his legs to beat UTEP. The defense is really going to keep this team in a lot of games.
Nick: My biggest takeaway was this team might have an issue with overlooking or playing down to the level of its opponents. Things ended up alright with a 35-point win, but much of the first half looked like a repeat of the Western Michigan game. The good news (or bad news, depending on how you look at it) is Michigan doesn’t have a team on its schedule to play down to the rest of the year, but getting off to some faster starts against beatable teams (like Michigan State, Rutgers or Minnesota) will be critical to prevent one of these games from turning into an upset.
Sam: This defensive line is legit. We knew John Henry Daley was going to be a star, and Dom Nichols’ breakout shouldn’t come as a great surprise. But this interior looks like a real strength, the young depth (Tariq Boney, Nate Marshall, Carter Meadows, Benny Patterson, need I continue?) is extremely encouraging, This defense looks like a force to be reckoned with.
Andrew: I am not THAT much of an idiot! It was nice to see Michigan play to its level and not down to its opponent, in the second half at least. After UTEP scored its second touchdown, the Miners only gained 23 more total yards while Michigan’s offense scored on every possession until the kneel-downs. That’s what you want to see from Michigan against inferior opponents.
Charles: The slow start against UTEP was a bit alarming, but Michigan played very well in the second half and the pass game looked improved. Unfortunately, the offensive line’s performance and the inability to get a quality run game going remain the biggest concerns entering Big Ten play.
Dan: This offense is just different. I expected at some point for us to establish the run more and ground and pound a bad team to death. Instead, Michigan is going to run a much more diverse offense and throw the football more often.
Now that the non-conference season is over, do you feel better, worse or the same about the outlook for Michigan’s 2026 season? Have any expectations changed since the season began?
Von: I feel the same. Things aren’t always as good as they seem, and they also aren’t as bad as they seem. At the end of the day, this is a solid group of football players that are steadily improving week over week. Ask me this question at the end of October and I will probably have a much different answer after the Wolverines play against teams like Indiana and Penn State.
Scotty: I feel about the same. I expected Michigan to be 3-0 at this point, although I did not expect the roller coaster ride the first three weeks have been. I still think this will be an eight- or nine-win team, but 10-11 is very much in the picture and this could be a CFP team.
Zach Libby: I honestly won’t get a true feel until the bye week. If Michigan beats Iowa and Minnesota on the road, my outlook will be better.
Matt Eifert: Despite the 3-0 start, I feel worse about Michigan’s 2026 season. Bryce Underwood has come in quite a bit below expectations, the offensive line hasn’t taken a step forward from last year, turnovers are an issue and the team has lacked discipline. That said, all those things are fixable throughout the season.
Kellen: Depends on which side of the ball you’re looking at. On defense, this team has surpassed my expectations, especially in the front seven. On offense, there is still a ways to go. I think my expectations of 9-10 wins and flirting with a spot in the College Football Playoff are still within reach, but the offensive struggles have given me less confidence in Michigan achieving those goals.
Grace: I’m feeling about the same three games into the year. I was very nervous after WMU, but this defense keeps improving week after week and the offense is getting better, too. So I still say they get to nine or 10 wins.
Nick: I think I feel the same overall. I had the team going 9-3 heading into the year and I think I’d stick with that prediction for right now. Where my biggest change in perception has been is with the offensive line and the run game, which have really failed to assert themselves through three weeks. I don’t have any doubt they can iron things out as the season rolls along, but there isn’t exactly a chance to experiment with things the next two weeks before the bye with a tough Iowa defense coming to town and then a trip to Minnesota on deck.
Sam: I think I feel better, mainly because of that aforementioned defense. Underwood seems to get better with every rep (throwing to Marsh and Buchanan certainly helps). But I am still concerned with the lack of an elite rushing attack and I would like to see the tight ends more involved.
Andrew: It’s been clunkier than I anticipated — certainly on offense — but if you told me before this year that this team would be 3-0 and has not played anywhere near its ceiling, how could you not be optimistic? The defense appears to be one of the best in the country, and the offense has strides to take on the ground and through the air, but this team has an identity. If you have an identity, you have a foundation to improve.
Charles: The non-conference portion of the season was about as strange as it could have been. From a nearly disastrous upset in the opener to a massive ranked win to a confusing performance last week, we have seen it all from Michigan. But 3-0 is 3-0, and Michigan still has a chance to accomplish all its goals. Overall, I feel slightly worse than I did in the preseason, but the Wolverines can be very good if things break right.
Dan: Better, and I say that because we’re 3-0. With a minute left in the WMU game, I thought we’d be 1-2. There is a lot to clean up, but this team has played some good teams and wound up ahead of them. Oregon and Ohio State both have lost, and have some tough games ahead of Michigan. Momentum and moral are huge in this game, and I think there is a world where Michigan could win both those contests because of it. I believe this is a coaching staff that will figure out what works and I’m optimistic about their chances.
Iowa has been one of the more surprising teams (at least offensively) in the country through three weeks. How much of that do you believe is real, and how worried are you about the Hawkeyes heading into Saturday?
Von: The Hawkeyes have blown out their two Group of 6 opponents, but the truth about their offense was revealed during their game against Iowa State. Quarterback Hank Brown only threw for 191 yards and 6.4 yards per completion against the Cyclones a couple weeks back. On the season, Brown is only averaging 7.6 yards per completion. Furthermore, Iowa only ran for 3.2 yards per carry (93 total rushing yards) in the Iowa State game as well. This Iowa team is much like others we’ve seen over the last three decades — strong defense, not-so-strong offense. Michigan’s defense shouldn’t have very many issues on Saturday, especially if Iowa’s star running back Kamari Moulton, who didn’t play last weekend, isn’t able to play.
Scotty: I expect this game to be close, but I’m not super worried about Iowa’s offense after seeing the Iowa State game. The Cyclones aren’t very good and the Hawkeyes only scored 16 and barely won the game.
Zach Libby: Iowa won’t score a touchdown on Saturday.
Matt Eifert: I am not worried about the Hawkeye offense despite the early success. However, I am very worried about Michigan’s ability to have success against the Iowa defense. I expect an ugly rock fight in which I’m grateful Michigan is at home.
Kellen: “Lets slow the roll on the surprising offensive production, cause they ain’t played nobody, Pawl!”
Iowa blew out Northern Illinois and Northern Iowa, and nearly lost to a bad Iowa State team. Heck, the 11 completions in a row from Hank Brown were the most consecutive completions in a game for Iowa since the second Obama administration (per The Gazette). Michigan’s defense is by far the best the Hawkeyes will have faced; perhaps this is the first real test for Iowa.
Grace: I’m always worried about the Hawkeyes and think they look pretty good. They didn’t look too great against Iowa State, but that’s a rivalry game at the beginning of the season. Iowa protects the ball and forces turnovers, and that could be enough to beat the Wolverines, especially given Michigan’s ability to lose the ball. Ball security will be very important in this one.
Nick: I think it’s somewhat real and that this Iowa offense is certainly not the joke it’s been the last decade or so. The thing that worries me the most is Iowa’s strength is different from Oklahoma’s in that the Hawkeyes will have much more of a focus on establishing the run. We’ve already seen Michigan’s defensive line can be pretty ferocious when it comes to getting after the passer, but Trey Pierce and Enow Etta will need to be the stars on Saturday.
Sam: I think no matter what this is going to be a classic Big Ten defensive struggle. First to 17 or 20 points probably wins. Both teams could enter the contest averaging 50 points per game and I would still take the under. It’s just that type of matchup.
Andrew: I believe in Santa Claus more than this offense being one of the most potent in the country. Come on, it’s Iowa. The Hawkeyes put up 40 and 55 on two teams with “Northern” in their names, who are both at the bottom of their respective conferences. The 16-point outing against a rebuilding Iowa State team is much more indicative of what to expect Saturday. That said, this is still a salty Phil Parker defense that will always be formidable. It’s a race to 20 on Saturday.
Charles: I’m still in a wait and see mode with Iowa. I think the Hawkeyes are improved offensively, but outscoring inferior opponents 95-0 in two games isn’t as impressive when you only score 16 points — albeit in a win — against the one quality opponent you have faced so far. I will say Iowa running back Kamari Moulton (fifth in nation with 9.2 yards per carry) is no joke and could create problems for Michigan’s run defense.
Dan: I don’t think it’s real. The realest it has been was against Iowa State where they had only 284 yards of offense. The Hawkeyes have been through this before; they are always a quarterback away and then have one that sparks the team for a few non-conference games before being brought back to reality in Big Ten play. That’s what I expect here.
Given Michigan’s run game struggles, how do you think the Wolverines’ offense should attack a Hawkeye defense that has given opposing offenses fits?
Von: Keep pounding the rock. Savion Hiter was getting into a groove late in the UTEP game last week. If Jordan Marshall is unable to play this week — which it sounds like he’ll be fine, but there’s always a possibility — the coaching staff should increase Hiter’s touches by quite a bit against Iowa. Underwood will also certainly play a bigger role on the ground than he did against UTEP; I wouldn’t be surprised to see him approach the rushing numbers he had against Oklahoma a couple weeks ago.
Scotty: I think Michigan will have to utilize Bryce’s legs a lot like it did against Oklahoma. If he can find success there, hopefully the passing game will open up a bit.
Zach Libby: Iowa’s linebackers are the playmakers. They’re gap fillers. Make the secondary be the run stoppers through excellent offensive line play, non-basic formations and challenging the area beyond the hashmarks either wide side or the boundary.
Matt Eifert: Jason Beck will need to go back to the Oklahoma game plan and duplicate it. Bryce Underwood’s legs will have to be the focal point of the offense with occasional deep shots in the passing game just to keep the defense honest.
Kellen: Iowa wants to slow the game down and control the clock, just like every other defense-first team. I think Michigan needs to have prolonged drives, utilize play action and get athletes out in space to own the edges of the field. I wanna see Jason Beck use Savion Hiter in creative ways for this one.
Grace: You’ve got to use Bryce Underwood’s legs to keep them honest. He’s getting more comfortable connecting with Andrew Marsh and JJ Buchanan, too, so I think you’ve got to stretch the field in the passing game as well. It’s worth it to take some pressure off the offensive line.
Nick: With Jordan Marshall banged up, I don’t know if this is the week to start establishing the run between the tackles. Combine this with the fact that Savion Hiter has looked pretty explosive the last two weeks, and I think Michigan is going to continue attacking the perimeter. In the pass game, I expect Michigan to continue keeping things somewhat simple for Underwood with the rollouts and screen game, as well as some more designed runs since it worked well against an equally-stout Oklahoma defense. Protecting the ball is going to be as critical as its ever been; there’s absolutely no need to give Iowa’s offense a short field.
Sam: Way too early to abandon the run. Marshall and Hiter are still super talented and I like to believe this offensive line will improve as the season progresses. That said, it seems like they are at their most dangerous when Underwood uses his legs, and that play action game should open up opportunities for the star targets.
Andrew: Take what it gives you. Phil Parker likes to have his guys sit back in zone and make tackles. He’s not afraid to bring pressure, but he’s much more comfortable rushing four and playing strong coverage behind it. Bryce Underwood needs to understand where the soft spots in the zones exist and where his check-downs are. Jason Beck gives his receivers some freedom in their routes, so it is imperative that they are on the same page with the quarterback. If Underwood and Beck can force Parker to adjust first and dictate the schematic rules of engagement, the offense can stay ahead and in rhythm. If Parker gets to dictate, it could be a long day.
Charles: I think Michigan has to continue to try to establish the run early in games, but if the pass game is more effective, it should lean on that more heavily at times. Simply put, the offensive line and run game has to be drastically better.
Dan: Stretch the field. This offensive line isn’t healthy, and Iowa hasn’t faced a quarterback with Underwood’s arm yet, nor the receivers this team has. Open some things up by taking a few shots vertically and also east-west with Andrew Marsh. Tying that with about a dozen Underwood rushes, and I suspect a very similar offense game plan to what was executed against Oklahoma,
Give us a bold prediction for tomorrow’s game.
Von: Andrew Marsh goes for more than 100 yards for a second straight week.
Scotty: I wouldn’t be surprised if Michigan shuts Iowa out. The defense has been great this year and the Wolverines have historically dominated Iowa’s offense. Let’s hope we see more of the same.
Zach Libby: There won’t be a touchdown scored.
Matt Eifert: At some point in the game, the two teams will combine for four consecutive three-and-outs.
Kellen: Michigan holds Hank Brown to under 100 yards passing for the first time this season.
Grace: Michigan has more passing than rushing touchdowns.
Nick: I’m not sure how bold this is, but I think the under hits by a mile in this game. It is currently at about 37.5-38.5 total points depending on where you look, and I think this will be a rock fight among rock fights. Both defenses have been as tough as it gets so far and both offenses have shown flashes, but not enough to put a lot of points on the board.
Sam: How about 100+ yards from Hiter. Marshall is clearly banged up and it is still September; they need him for an entire season, not just the first month.
Andrew: Savion Hiter goes for a career high on the ground.
Charles: I say Michigan’s run game finally breaks out of its slump and Savion Hiter rushes for a season-high 100+ yards, a Michigan tight end catches a touchdown for the first time this season, and Carter Meadows gets the first sack of his career.
Dan: Underwood runs the ball more than 15 times and throws for at least one 50+ yard touchdown.
What’s the final score and why?
Von (2-1): Michigan 23, Iowa 15. I think this is going to be a game where we see an absurd amount of field goals, with the Hawkeyes converting five of them. If there were ever a Big Ten game where special teams will likely win the day, it’s this one.
Scotty (0-1): I’ve got Michigan winning, 13-6. I think this is going to be an ugly slug fest between two good defenses, but the Wolverines ultimately have more fire power.
Zach Libby (2-1): Michigan 12, Iowa 6.
Matt Eifert (2-0): Michigan 17, Iowa 14. Both defenses are elite, so I don’t foresee many (if any) long drives down the field. Michigan’s defensive line does just enough to win the game in crunch time.
Kellen (2-1): This is going to be an UGLY game, and I think Michigan squeaks out a 16-10 win with a few chunk plays in the second half.
Grace (3-0): 31-17, Michigan. Michigan finds a way to build on its momentum from last week. The defense helps give the offense a short field at least once. It will be close the first three quarters, but Michigan pulls away at the end.
Nick (2-1): I’ve got Michigan winning, 16-10, in something that might look similar to the Oklahoma game thanks to the strengths of each defense and the offenses still being unproven. As I mentioned previously though, turnovers and field position will be critical; as long as Michigan can protect the ball, it shouldn’t have an issue getting to 4-0.
Sam (1-1): Michigan, 20-13. Get ready for Oklahoma part two because I’m expecting a grind-it-out, trench warfare, ugly Big Ten showdown.
Andrew (2-1): Michigan is currently favored by 5.5 this weekend and while I don’t think it’ll be 31, I think they’ll take care of business. Michigan wins 21-10.
Charles (2-1): Give me Michigan, 23-17. I think the Wolverines jump out to an early lead, Iowa battles back to make it a close finish, but Michigan forges ahead in the final minutes to improve to 4-0 and open Big Ten play with a ranked win.
Dan (2-1): Michigan 24, Iowa 16. A turnover keeps the Hawkeyes in it, but the defense allows field goals, not touchdowns, while the offense scores late to seal a win at home.
