Michigan vs. Iowa preview: Red-zone showdown
Angelique S. Chengelis of The Detroit News breaks down Saturday’s Michigan-Iowa game at Kinnick Stadium (8 p.m., ABC, WWJ 950, WTKA 1050).
Hawkeyes to watch
Desmond King, CB: The Detroit native (East English Village High) is one of 16 Jim Thorpe Award semifinalists and 18 Bednarik Award semifinalists. He won the Jim Thorpe Award last year as the nation’s best defensive back. King has 45 tackles (30 solo) and leads the Hawkeyes with six pass break-ups. He also averages 29.2 yards per kickoff (No. 10 nationally) and has 1,658 combined kickoff and punt return yards.
Josey Jewell, LB: He is the Big Ten’s leading tackler with 87 and matched a career high with 16 against Wisconsin. He is a Butkus Award semifinalist and has 264 career tackles, 25th in school history. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Jewell has started every game this season.
Akrum Wadley, RB: He leads the team in rushing with 664 yards, and is No. 2 in receiving with 23 catches (220 yards). In the last two weeks, Wadley has 12 catches for 104 yards receiving and a TD. His 23 receptions rank third in the Big Ten for running backs.
Detroit News predictions: Michigan vs. Iowa
Intangibles
Road test: Kinnick Stadium has always has been considered one of the nation’s toughest road environments. The Hawkeyes have won the last three at home over the Wolverines (the last Michigan win was 23-20 in overtime in 2005).
Turning it over: Michigan is third in the Big Ten in turnover margin at plus-nine (10 INTs), Iowa is fourth at plus-six (five INTs). Iowa S Brandon Snyder has accounted for a third of the Hawkeyes’ takeaways, including three fumble recoveries.
Red-zone meetings: The Hawkeyes lead the Big Ten in red-zone offense, but are facing a strength of the Wolverines defense (No. 1 nationally at 57.1 percent). Iowa has scored on 26-of-28 trips to the red zone, including 12 rushing TDs and eight passing. The Wolverines have allowed eight conversions in 14 trips to the red zone, six TDs.
Bring on the night: Michigan won its lone night game this season (at Rutgers) and is 30-20 overall in games played after 5 p.m. local time. This is the 14th time Iowa will play a night game at Kinnick Stadium, and the Wolverines have won the last three and are 9-4 overall.
Homecoming, of sorts: Jack Harbaugh, father of Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, was an assistant at Iowa from 1971-73 before heading to Michigan to coach on Bo Schembechler’s staff. Jim Harbaugh was quarterback of No. 2 Michigan in 1985 when it lost at No. 1 Iowa.
Facts and figures
* Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is two wins shy of tying former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr for sixth in Big Ten history. Ferentz has won 79 Big Ten games since 1999, Carr won 81 (1995-2007).
* Iowa is 5-4 and needs a victory to become bowl-eligible for the 15th time in 16 seasons. Still on the schedule is Illinois and Nebraska.
* Michigan is No. 2 in the AP and coaches’ polls and No. 3 in the College Football Playoff rankings. The last time Iowa had a home victory over a ranked opponent was 2011 (No. 13 Michigan).
* The Wolverines are averaging 245.8 yards passing and 251.7 rushing. Overall, the Wolverines are averaging 497.4 yards offense, 20th nationally.
* Michigan has gained 50+ yards five times — 512 against Hawaii, 515 against Penn State, 600 at Rutgers, 561 against Illinois and 660 against Maryland. Iowa is No. 9 in the Big Ten in total defense (402.0 yards).