Is Iowa better than Michigan?
- Thread starter NCHawker
- Start date
guffus
Well-Known Member
It is certainly debatable in 2025.
Iowa played 7 close games this season that could have gone either way in the 4Q. Iowa won 3 of those games (@Rutgers, Penn St, Mich St) and lost 4 of those games (@iowa St, Ind, Ore, @USC)
The 4 close losses were all particularly painful. Losing to Iowa St and Oregon on last second FGs. Iowa missing a late FG against Indiana in a tie game. Iowa blowing a big lead against USC.
In the end, Iowas best victories were over Minn, Neb and Penn St.
Michigan had kinda of a weak Big Ten schedule, avoiding Ind, Ore, ILL,Iowa, Penn St. but Mich did play and lose to Oklahoma, USC and Ohio St. Probably Mich's best wins were over Washington, Neb and NW.
Comparing scores of common opponents, you get mixed messages. Iowa did better against USC and Nebraska. Michigan did better against Mich St.
I would guess if they played iin Iowa City, Iowa would win. If the game was played in Ann Arbor, Michigan would win.
Iowa played 7 close games this season that could have gone either way in the 4Q. Iowa won 3 of those games (@Rutgers, Penn St, Mich St) and lost 4 of those games (@iowa St, Ind, Ore, @USC)
The 4 close losses were all particularly painful. Losing to Iowa St and Oregon on last second FGs. Iowa missing a late FG against Indiana in a tie game. Iowa blowing a big lead against USC.
In the end, Iowas best victories were over Minn, Neb and Penn St.
Michigan had kinda of a weak Big Ten schedule, avoiding Ind, Ore, ILL,Iowa, Penn St. but Mich did play and lose to Oklahoma, USC and Ohio St. Probably Mich's best wins were over Washington, Neb and NW.
Comparing scores of common opponents, you get mixed messages. Iowa did better against USC and Nebraska. Michigan did better against Mich St.
I would guess if they played iin Iowa City, Iowa would win. If the game was played in Ann Arbor, Michigan would win.
kameltoez102
Well-Known Member
Their QB was wildly overrated this year. He has a ton of talent but wasn't ready to be the man there as a freshman. We will see how he develops. Their D was solid and line very young. 2026 may be the best year to see them over the next three
guffus
Well-Known Member
Since you brought up 2026. Looking ahead to Iowa's 2026 schedule
NIU
Iowa St
UNI
@ILL
@Mich
@Minn
@NW
@Wash
Ohio St
Purdue
Wisc
Neb
I would guess Iowa wins against NIU, Iowa St, UNI, @Minn, @NW, Purdue, Wisc and Neb
I would guess Iowa loses against @ILL, @Mich, @Wash, and Ohio St
Looks like 8-4 again.
NIU
Iowa St
UNI
@ILL
@Mich
@Minn
@NW
@Wash
Ohio St
Purdue
Wisc
Neb
I would guess Iowa wins against NIU, Iowa St, UNI, @Minn, @NW, Purdue, Wisc and Neb
I would guess Iowa loses against @ILL, @Mich, @Wash, and Ohio St
Looks like 8-4 again.
hawkdrummer1
Well-Known Member
I'd pay to see that game
guffus
Well-Known Member
It would have been a great matchup for champions week. Remember in 2020 when they tried that idea?
SCHawkeye2
Well-Known Member
Our coaches have much better character and ethics.
hawkinn3
Well-Known Member
It’ll hold some weight in prison.
hawkdrummer1
Well-Known Member
The days of Bo Schembechler character are long gone
Fryowa
Administrator
hawkdrummer1
Well-Known Member
Northern Ill, UNI. Oh boy. Them again.
ssckelley
Well-Known Member
Northern Illinois is usually decent, they were down this year but it has potential to at least be interesting.
UNI they can start the walkons and win. The UNI football program is now horrible.
JoeyLabasForPresident
Well-Known Member
Obviously depends on development and transfer portal, but I think 7-5 is the (unlikely) floor here, with 9-3 the most likely, and 8-11 wins all conceivable.
trj
Well-Known Member
Covid saved Harbaugh’s job at Michigan. If they would have played Iowa and OSU it would have been over for him.
trj
Well-Known Member
Didn’t know that story until now.
