Michigan @ Iowa preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 16, 2010 ) Iowa 38, Michigan 28

THE STORY: Iowa looks to bounce back after a disappointing loss when it hosts No. 13 Michigan on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes, who dropped consecutive games to Minnesota for the first time since the 1999-2000 seasons, blew an 11-point fourth-quarter lead before falling 22-21 to the Gophers. Meanwhile, the Wolverines are coming off a 34-14 blowout victory over Purdue. Michigan, led by Fitzgerald Toussaint’s career-high 170 rushing yards, trailed 7-0 early but rallied to score 36 straight points to pick up its sixth consecutive Big Ten win. This will be the 57th meeting between the schools. The Wolverines hold a 40-12-4 advantage but the Hawkeyes won most recently, 38-28 in 2010.

TV: ESPN. LINE: Michigan -4.

ABOUT MICHIGAN (7-1, 3-1 BIG TEN): Michigan, which rushed for 339 yards in the win over the Boilermakers, has one of the nation’s most explosive offenses. Led by dual-threat quarterback Denard Robinson, who has 21 total touchdowns, the Wolverines average more than 25o rushing yards and 34 points. Not to be outdone, Michigan’s defense has been equally effective and ranks sixth, allowing less than 15 points. The key to success against the Hawkeyes will be limiting the turnovers, which is an area where Michigan has struggled, especially at quarterback. Robinson has already thrown 11 interceptions in eight games, matching his total from all of last year.

ABOUT IOWA (5-3, 2-2 BIG TEN): Like Michigan, Iowa has the type of offense that can put points on the board. Led by quarterback James Vandenberg and running back Marcus Coker, the Hawkeyes average more than 400 total yards and 32 points. Vandenberg has thrown for 1,918 yards and 17 touchdowns — nine to wide receiver Marvin McNutt — and Coker has added 10 scores for Iowa, which has scored more than 40 points four times. Defensively, the Hawkeyes allow more than 400 yards and 23 points.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Michigan is 16-5-1 on the road against Iowa. However, the Wolverines haven’t won on the road since a 23-20 overtime victory in 2005.

2. The Hawkeyes have never won three straight over the Wolverines. Iowa has won the last two meetings in the all-time series.

3. Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz is 4-4 all-time against Michigan. The Wolverines’ head coach, Brady Hoke, lost his only meeting against the Hawkeyes while coaching Ball State in 2005.

PREDICTION: Michigan 35, Iowa 21 – Iowa failed to stop a dual-threat quarterback last week — Marqueis Gray — and this week the Hawkeyes get one of the best in college football with Robinson.