Iowa @ #21 Michigan
The season may be pretty much done for Iowa, with bowl eligibility meaning they have to beat both Michigan this week and Nebraska the Saturday after, but for the Wolverines this is a very important win to get at home as they try and reach the BIG 10 championship game.
Despite having an OT win against Michigan State, the Hawkeyes have been in a four game slump which includes a loss to lowly Indiana, and things will only get tougher in the Big House this Saturday as they come up against a Michigan team that has regained some swag with last weeks upset of then #24 Northwestern.
But despite this, the Wolverines have one big question on senior day, will Denard Robinson (#16, QB, Sr) play? Since injuring a nerve in his throwing elbow against Nebraska the offence has been in the hands of WR turned QB, Devin Gardner (#12, QB/WR, Jr), who took Michigan past both Minnesota and Northwestern. No one is certain if Shoelace will play this Saturday, but questions have still arisen as to whether Gardner should be left in at QB even if Robinson is healthy. However, if Robinson is healthy, I expect to see him under center with Gardner getting spot duty in the form of Wildcat at the very least.
In terms of the on field product, I find it hard to pick against Michigan who’s defence has been surprisingly good, except against Alabama, and who’s offence is going to be deadly with Robinson or Gardner at the helm. Iowa will have to cling to their running game, limit turnovers and hope that their defence gets enough stops to be close enough at the end to maybe pinch this one.
Prediction: Michigan gash the Hawkeyes early and cruise to a 31-10 victory.
