Iowa has started the regular season strong with wins over Northern Illinois, Iowa State, and Northern Iowa, but the competition ramps up in week four.
The Hawkeyes hit the road to Ann Arbor to face Michigan at the Big House to kick off the Big Ten Conference schedule. The Hawkeyes are coming off an impressive 55-0 win over Northern Iowa as the offensive renaissance continues. Iowa has scored 111 total points, while allowing only 16, including two shutouts in weeks one and three. Michigan is coming off a commanding 52-17 win over UTEP, but has yet to find an identity through the first three games. It's a massive game for both programs, and could set the tone for the rest of the season.
How to watch No. 17 Iowa at No. 18 Michigan
Date: September 26
Time: 2:30 p.m. Central Time
Venue: Michigan Stadium (Ann Arbor, MI)
Television: CBS
Streaming: Fubo
Iowa record: 3-0 (0-0 Big Ten)
Michigan record: 3-0 (0-0 Big Ten)
Spread, moneyline, and total
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Spread
Iowa: +5.5 (-112)
Michigan: -5.5 (-108)
Moneyline
Iowa: +180
Michigan: -220
Total
Over: 39.5 (-105)
Under: 39.5 (-115)
Iowa injuries
- WR Lance Beeghley (undisclosed): Out
- CB Kyler Gerardy (undisclosed): Out
- DL Lance Ingold (undisclosed): Out
- RB Kamari Moulton (undisclosed): Probable
- TE DJ Vonnahme (undisclosed): Probable
Michigan injuries
- OL Andrew Babalola (knee): Out
- RB Jordan Marshall (undisclosed): Probable
- EDGE Carter Meadows (undisclosed): Probable
- OL Andrew Sprague (undisclosed): Questionable
Weather forecast (Ann Arbor, MI)
Forecast provided by AccuWeather
Ann Arbor will be a perfect 73 degrees for Iowa's Big Ten opener, with very little wind and a small chance of precipitation. The humidity will be around 47 percent, making the actual temperature feel like 75 degrees, which is still great for some afternoon football.
Series history
Michigan has dominated the series against Iowa with a 45-15-4 record. The Hawkeyes and Wolverines last played in the 2023 Big Ten Championship, with the Wolverines dominating 26-0. Iowa's trip to the "Big House" is its first since 2019, and only the third time since 2012. Iowa has two wins against Michigan in the Ferentz era, including in 2002 and 2010.
Early predictions
Iowa hasn't beaten a ranked opponent on the road since defeating No. 9 Iowa State in 2021, and they haven't beaten a ranked Big Ten team on the road since 2019. This is a massive early test for the program, and it could easily set the tone for the rest of the Big Ten schedule. The Hawkeyes haven't faced much opposition through the first three weeks of the season, but that will change against Michigan.
The Wolverines, like the Hawkeyes, rely on solid defense and a dynamic rushing attack to win games. Michigan has been up and down through the first three weeks, winning a questionable game against Western Michigan in week one, then upsetting Oklahoma in week two, and handling business against UTEP in week three. Michigan is still finding its identity, which could play into Iowa's hands. The Hawkeyes have been dominant in two of the first three games, shutting out Northern Illinois and Northern Iowa, and have been surprisingly good on offense.
With Hank Brown locked into the starting quarterback role, the Hawkeyes know their offensive identity and still have a very good defense. This game has all the makings of a slugfest, and the defenses will decide the winner. The running game will also be a major factor, with Iowa's deep running back group and Michigan's star running back Jordan Marshall and QB Bryce Underwood.
Iowa has had a better passing attack through the first three games, and that will give them a slight advantage in a close game. The Hawkeyes go into Ann Arbor and knock off the Wolverines in a tight game
Final score: Iowa 20, Michigan 13
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