Deshaun Lee had a straightforward response about how to handle Michigan's offense

Iowa has cruised to a 3-0 start to the season, but their first true test is in week four against Michigan.

The Hawkeyes have had everything working for them in the first three weeks, and have jumped to No. 17 in the AP Top 25 rankings, but they enter the game against Michigan is slight underdogs. It is a tough start to the Big Ten schedule, but the Hawkeyes have been preparing diligently. Michigan has been propped up by their defense and rushing attack through the first three weeks, and even though they found their footing against UTEP in week three, they haven't faced a defense of Iowa's caliber.

If Iowa hopes to leave Ann Arbor with a win, Deshaun Lee says they have to limit one specific area.

Deshaun Lee believes Iowa is "in good shape" if they stop the run

Michigan is still searching for an offensive identity, but has found success in the running game. The Wolverines offense has been woeful at best through the first three weeks, averaging 323.3 yards per game. Although the offense hasn't quite found its footing, Michigan's running game is outpacing its passing game, something the Iowa defense is focused on.

Veteran defensive back Deshaun Lee has become a staple of the Iowa secondary, but he acknowledged that stopping the run is the key to victory. Of Michigan's 323.3 offensive yards per game, nearly 148 yards come on the ground, something the Iowa defense is keyed in on. Michigan hasn't faced a defense like Iowa's, and if they can't pass, Phil Parker will load the box and make them do it. Stopping Michigan's rushing attack is easier said than done, but if they can limit the big plays and force Bryce Underwood to throw the ball more, the defense has a good chance of shutting down the Michigan offense.

No one expects Iowa to pitch another shutout against Michigan, especially on the road at the Big House, but the defense has a lot of things working in its favor. Michigan has struggled not only to get the passing game going, but also to get first downs, with a low third-down conversion rate. It is still very early in the season, but the Michigan offense isn't scaring anyone. This game has all the makings of a defensive struggle, which plays into Iowa's hands. Deshaun Lee hit the nail on the head when he said that if they stop the run, they are in good shape, and with some injuries on the offensive line, Iowa could be in for a field day against Bryce Underwood.

If Bryce Underwood thought it was hard to pass in the first three weeks, he's in for a nightmare

Iowa's defense is ranked as the No. 1 overall defense through the first three weeks and excels at stopping the run. Iowa has allowed only 66.0 yards per game on the ground and is even stingier against the pass. The Hawkeyes allow just 110 passing yards per game, showing how dominant their secondary is. If Michigan hopes its passing attack wakes up all of a sudden against Iowa, it is in for a rude awakening. Two of Michigan's first three opponents rank outside of the top 50 in passing defense, whereas Iowa ranks No. 5 overall. If they struggled then, it won't get easier.

Iowa has lived up to its No. 1 ranking so far, but Michigan is a class above Iowa's first three opponents. The defense has to show up early and stop the running attack, forcing the offense to throw. Michigan prefers to run the ball, and if Iowa takes that away, this could be a very low-scoring game, because neither team has excelled in the passing game. Hank Brown and the Iowa offense have been better to start the season, but they haven't faced much pressure.

Michigan will load the box and do exactly what Iowa plans: sell out to stop the run. This will be a low-scoring game, and it wouldn't be surprising if neither team cracks 20 points, with the winner being whoever makes a few more plays through the air. Deshaun Lee was 100 percent right when he said that if Iowa stops the run, they are in good shape, but it remains to be seen if they can pull it off.

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