Iowa at Michigan - 2026 Matchup Preview
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Iowa Hawkeyes at Michigan Wolverines

Michigan logo
Saturday, September 26th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Michigan Stadium - Ann Arbor, MI  (Big Ten)

 
Hawkeyes (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Kirk Ferentz (213 - 128)
Avg Score : 29 - 16 (30 - 17 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8.5 - 3.5 (#22)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 3) (Good: 2) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 3)
MICH 4th straight Home Game
MICH is playing their 4th straight game
IOWA is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Michigan -5  (SP+ IOWA -7.5)

Projected Score: IOWA: 21 - MICH: 26 (46)
MICH Win prob: 63% | Cover: 48%
IOWA Travel: 403 miles, 1 hrs behind
Wolverines (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Kyle Whittingham (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 28 - 20 (29 - 13 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.1 - 3.9 (#35)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 5) (Good: 1) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 4)
 
Iowa's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Iowa vs Northern Illinois-35
Sat 9/12Iowa vs Iowa State-12
Sat 9/19Iowa vs Northern Iowa-40
Sat 9/26Iowa at Michigan+5
Sat 10/3Iowa vs Ohio State+10.5
Sat 10/10Iowa at Washington+7.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/24Iowa at Minnesota-8
Sat 10/31Iowa vs Wisconsin-19
Sat 11/7Iowa at Northwestern-11
Sat 11/14Iowa vs Purdue-22
Sat 11/21Iowa at Illinois-1
Fri 11/27Iowa vs Nebraska-13

Total: Elite: 3, Good: 2, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 3, Good: 2, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Iowa's Schedule
Michigan's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Michigan vs Western Michigan-27
Sat 9/12Michigan vs Oklahoma+0.5
Sat 9/19Michigan vs UTEP-36.5
Sat 9/26Michigan vs Iowa-5
Sat 10/3Michigan at Minnesota-10.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/17Michigan vs Penn State-4
Sat 10/24Michigan vs Indiana+8
Sat 10/31Michigan at Rutgers-15
Sat 11/7Michigan vs Michigan State-22
Sat 11/14Michigan at Oregon+9.5
Sat 11/21Michigan vs UCLA-18.5
Sat 11/28Michigan at Ohio State+13

Total: Elite: 5, Good: 1, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 5, Good: 1, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Michigan's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
IOWA#73 (.17)44% (45)29.348% (16)3.29 (15)17739% (97)1434.44 (20)#26 (.08)39% (29)16.141% (54)37% (25)3.34 (38)30.211.1
MICH#54 (.19)44% (47)27.549% (13)3.29 (16)21140% (89)1873.64 (75)#52 (.12)42% (78)20.441% (58)44% (105)3.79 (80)39.11.31.4
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
IOWA0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
MICH0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
IOWA Offense1329.329.844.5%4.441173201771434.660%38%48%39%11%.17
MICH Defense1320.413.342.3%3.791.4 - - - - - 46%52%41%44%17%.12
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
IOWA Defense1316.117.238.5%3.341.1 - - - - - 48%50%41%37%17%.08
MICH Offense1327.529.244.4%3.641.3203982111875.554%44%49%40%12%.19

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Iowa1331:2717.543%67%330.211.14.81.9533.3
Michigan1329:4720.244%39%4.439.11.31.45.82.2031.1
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
IOWA Offense1360% (12)48% (16)38.8176.94.628 (23).19 (34)3.29 (15)81% (10)8% (32)0.9 (98)
MICH Defense1346% (23)41% (58) - - - - .07 (49)2.68 (28)59% (11)10% (52)0.88 (23)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
IOWA Defense1348% (45)41% (54) - - - - .08 (53)2.92 (75)69% (50)10% (52)0.89 (33)
MICH Offense1354% (33)49% (13)38.2211.25.533 (23).23 (17)3.29 (16)77% (32)8% (27)0.98 (62)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
IOWA Offense1338% (126)39% (97)13.822143.26.510.312 (128)8 (60).24 (71)1.5 (68)27% (15)26% (112).2 (110)3% (4)1.9 (92)
MICH Defense1352% (116)44% (105) - - - - - - 13 (4).22 (57)1.3 (3)30% (98)33% (111).4 (114)7% (38)2 (69)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
IOWA Defense1350% (91)37% (25) - - - - - - 11 (38).16 (30)1.4 (8)29% (105)24% (10).22 (41)7% (32)2 (52)
MICH Offense1344% (103)40% (89)15.526.2186.87.11211 (106)10 (20).2 (96)1.5 (107)30% (51)30% (74).25 (91)4% (20)1.7 (132)

Iowa's Power Ratings
Iowa's Power Rating: 13.67  #26
Iowa's Offense Rating: 15.37  #49
Iowa's Defense Rating: 6.70  #19
2026 Talent Rating: 876.00  #41
Blue Chip Ratio: 17%  #26
Iowa's 2026 Expected Record: 8.5 - 3.5
Iowa's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 19.7  #12
Iowa's Offense SP+ Rating: 32.1  #37
Iowa's Defense SP+ Rating: 14.2  #6

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 916.78
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81

Power Ratings Matchup
Iowa: 13.67   Michigan: 21.71

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Iowa: 19.7   Michigan: 12.4




Michigan's Power Ratings
Michigan's Power Rating: 21.71  #11
Michigan's Offense Rating: 23.80  #12
Michigan's Defense Rating: 2.78  #12
2026 Talent Rating: 1000.00  #13
Blue Chip Ratio: 48  #11
Michigan's 2026 Expected Record: 8.1 - 3.9
Michigan's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 12.4  #25
Michigan's Offense SP+ Rating: 30.9  #48
Michigan's Defense SP+ Rating: 17.0  #15

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 916.78
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81


Iowa Scoring
Offense: 29.3 PPG
Offense on Road: 29.8
Defense: 16.1 PPG
Defense on Road: 17.2

Iowa's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Michigan 26
Iowa 21


Projected Total Points: 46
Michigan Scoring
Offense: 27.5 PPG
Offense at Home: 29.2
Defense: 20.4 PPG
Defense at Home: 13.3

Michigan's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202312/02Iowa0Michigan26Michigan -23.5Michigan35.0Under
202210/01Iowa14Michigan27Michigan -10.5Michigan42.0Under
202112/04Iowa3Michigan42Michigan -12Michigan43.5Over
201910/05Michigan10Iowa3Michigan -4Michigan48.0Under
201611/12Iowa14Michigan13Michigan -18.5Iowa51.0Under
201311/23Iowa24Michigan21Iowa -3.5Michigan0
201211/17Michigan42Iowa17
201111/05Iowa24Michigan16
201010/16Michigan28Iowa38
200910/10Iowa30Michigan28
200610/21Michigan20Iowa6
200510/22Iowa20Michigan23
200409/25Michigan30Iowa17
200310/04Iowa30Michigan27
200210/26Michigan9Iowa34
200110/27Iowa26Michigan32
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Michigan951 Overs
Iowa714 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams9 - 72 - 41 - 11 - 3
Road Teams7 - 94 - 23 - 11 - 1

(#26) IOWA at (#11) MICH
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatIOWAMICH
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #26 #11
SP+SP+ #12 #25
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #41 #13
Blue ChipsBC% #26 #11
Iowa Notes
(2/14) Vibes: Good, but desperate for decent Offense
(2/1) 64th (of 68) in P4 Returning Production. Rebuild?
(2/1) QB1? H. Brown vs J. Hecklinski (both '25 Portals)
(2/1) RB Moulton (RB1 LY) + Phillips (SD Portal, 1.8K)
(2/1) WR can James (Fur Portal) help? Big bodied depth
(2/1) OL 2 starters back but good depth w some exp
(2/1) DL 4 G5/FCS portal adds. V Green but has parts
(2/1) LB 1 back, good talented depth but unproven
(2/1) CBs are great, took 4 portals at S (3 starters)
Iowa Injury Report
Michigan Notes
(2/14) Vibes: Unclear, but new staff + QB exciting
(2/4) RB Marshall back, big expectations for 5* Fr Hiter
(2/4) New Staff, great HC/OC/DC. Huge upgrade
(1/28) WR has Marsh and ? Buchanan (TE) helps
(1/28) IOL lacks exp, OT's solid. RB2 will be a FR
(1/28) QB Underwood w/ new OC Beck, big leap?
(1/28) DL looks good, LB has ? but 3 portal adds help
(1/28) CB starters good, S looks ? Depth is inexp.
Michigan Injury Report
Iowa on Offense
Very Run heavy Offense 60%, Pass: 38%
CategoryCat
IOWA OffMICH Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #45 #78
ExplosiveExp #132 #10
PPAPPA #73 #52
PowerPwr #49 #12
SP+SP+ #37 #15
Pts POPPO #20 #80
HavocHav #6 #46
Iowa Run Game
Very Run heavy Offense 60%, Pass: 38%
CategoryCat
IOWA OffMICH Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #16 #58
Run ExplRExp #98 #23
PPAExp #34 #49
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #15 #28
Stuff RateStuff #15 #85
TackleTak - NR
Iowa Pass Game
Very Run heavy Offense 60%, Pass: 38%
CategoryCat
IOWA OffMICH Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #97 #105
Pass ExplPExl #68 #3
PPAExp #71 #57
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #32 #52
DB HavocDB #4 #38
Michigan on Offense
Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 43%
CategoryCatMICH OffIOWA Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #47 #29
ExplosiveExp #119 #8
PPAPPA #54 #26
PowerPwr #12 #19
SP+SP+ #48 #6
Pts POPPO #75 #38
HavocHav #13 #42
Michigan Run Game
Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 43%
CategoryCat
MICH OffIOWA Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #13 #54
Run ExplRExp #62 #33
PPAExp #17 #53
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #16 #75
Stuff RateStuff #9 #71
TackleTak - NR
Michigan Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 43%
CategoryCatMICH OffIOWA Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #89 #25
Pass ExplPExl #107 #8
PPAExp #96 #30
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #27 #52
DB HavocDB #20 #32
Program Comparison
MICH 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top 25 Contenders
'26 Profile: Remains Top 25 Contenders

IOWA 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFP Hopefuls
'26 Profile: Remains CFP Hopefuls

Weather Forecast
Playing in Michigan Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Michigan beat Iowa in 2023 (26-0)

  
IOWA's OC Tim Lester (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Hank Brown112152%107115.1
Jeremy Hecklinski22100%8004.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
L.J. Phillips Jr. (Tr)2811860196.667
Kamari Moulton17087855.234
Xavier Williams4928535.843
Nathan Mcneil3716904.624
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Tony Diaz (Tr)678811113.175
Evan James (Tr)65796712.261
DJ Vonnahme29434315.051
Reece Vander Zee15219214.629

View Iowa's Full Roster

IOWA's DC Phil Parker (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Zach Lutmer716107
Tyler Brown (Tr)715105
Jayden Montgomery441022
Deshaun Lee341006
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Lance Ingold (Tr)172220
Zach Lutmer716107
Tyler Brown (Tr)715105
Kahmari Brown (Tr)31000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Zach Lutmer716107
Deshaun Lee341006
Tyler Brown (Tr)715105

MICH's OC Jason Beck (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Bryce Underwood20233560%24281197.2
Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi (Tr)448254%488126.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jordan Marshall150932106.265
Bryce Underwood8839264.537
Bryson Kuzdzal7632644.322
Tomas O'Meara118307.537
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Andrew Marsh45651414.569
JJ Buchanan (Tr)26427516.460
Zack Marshall16199112.437
Channing Goodwin12148012.339

View Michigan's Full Roster

MICH's DC Jay Hill (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Chris Bracy (Tr)717019
John Henry Daley45181201
Smith Snowden (Tr)372009
Jyaire Hill363105
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
John Henry Daley45181201
Dominic Nichols196210
Jyaire Hill363105
Jonah Lea'Ea (Tr)343111
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Zeke Berry3300010
Chris Bracy (Tr)717019
Smith Snowden (Tr)372009