No. 4 Michigan improved to 5-0 on the season after beating Iowa 27-14. Here are takeaways from the game.
Michigan’s defense generates pressure when it needs to
It took a while for Michigan’s pass rush to get home, but they sure did when they had their backs against the wall and Iowa’s charge started generating the first downs. Michigan didn’t disappoint in the first half, but the second half was a different story.
Mike Morris had two sacks and many more QB rushed, Mason Graham had a sack and Eyabi Okie and Taylor Upshaw both had half a sack. The pass rush in Michigan has had ups and downs in the year so far, but the potential is there and the depth is there. Now they just have to come home more consistently.
McCarthy manages the game well
Last week against Maryland, Michigan’s young quarterback JJ McCarthy fumbled the ball twice. He messed up again this week, while Michigan maintained possession just like last week. Aside from that blemish, McCarthy was careful with the football, going 18-of-24 for 155 and a touchdown. McCarthy didn’t force the ball off the field in this one, as they played back with their safes for most of the afternoon. McCarthy consistently hit check-downs for short wins to keep the ball moving. It wasn’t a glamorous feat, and he missed another deep shot in this one, but the bottom line is that McCarthy did well against the No. 1 scoring defense in the nation, leaving Iowa City with a win.
The offense left meat on the bone
With Michigan at 20-0, they could have finished the game a little faster. Three consecutive three-and-outs were not optimal. Michigan wasn’t expected to rack up huge runs against a stingy defense, but missed opportunities here and there ended drives and resulted in no runs being scored or settling for a field goal instead of a touchdown. No doubt Michigan could have generated one or two more touchdowns on the day. But this time they’ve done enough.
Michigan running game looks dangerous
Blake Corum rushed for 133 yards with a touchdown, Donovan Edwards rushed for 29 yards with four receptions for 21 yards and a touchdown. Corum may be RB1, but Edwards will make many big plays for the Wolverines this season as a runner and pass-catcher. Edwards has been out of action for a few weeks and his presence was certainly welcome. Michigan has one of the best backs in the nation in Corum, but who says you can’t have two of the best backs in the nation at the same time? Corum and Edwards’ output against a good defense in Iowa was promising.
Michigan just won a big game and the program is in a good place
The Wolverines just beat the Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium for the first time since 2005, which is quite a bit. It wasn’t an explosive game, it was what you would expect from a Big Ten game where two good defenses go head to head. Michigan still has problems on both sides of the ball, they have a young quarterback who improves weekly, and they now play a team in Indiana that they need to beat for a tough test against Penn State.
Michigan is in the top four, they are unbeaten 5-0. Things may not be great yet, but things are pretty good. They just have to get better and better and continue to play turnover and penalty-free football.
#Takeaways #Michigans #Iowa #victory