What to know ahead of ranked matchup in Big Ten opener

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The No. 18-ranked Michigan Wolverines open Big Ten play against the No. 17-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes at the Big House, bringing an unbeaten record and a strong recent history against the Hawkeyes into the matchup.

Michigan is 54-4 in its last 58 Big Ten openers.

The Wolverines have also won their last four meetings with Iowa, including a 26-0 victory in the 2023 Big Ten Championship Game.

Michigan also defeated the Hawkeyes 27-14 at Kinnick Stadium in 2022, 42-3 in the 2021 Big Ten Championship, and 10-3 in Ann Arbor in 2019.

Michigan enters Saturday’s game 3-0 after completing an unbeaten nonconference schedule for the first time since 2023 and the fourth time in the past six seasons.

The Wolverines have already defeated two teams that won at least 10 games last season: Oklahoma and Western Michigan, each with 10.

Michigan still has three opponents on its schedule that won at least 10 games in 2025: Indiana, which won 15, Oregon, which won 13, and Ohio State, which won 12.

Michigan’s most recent victory came against UTEP, a 52-point offensive performance that marked the program’s first game scoring more than 50 points since Sept. 25 of last season, when the Wolverines scored 63 against Central Michigan.

The Wolverines have scored 11 offensive touchdowns through three games, with six coming on the ground and five through the air.

Quarterback Bryce Underwood has accounted for two rushing touchdowns and three passing touchdowns.

He has 29 carries for 159 yards this season and has averaged 5.5 yards per carry during his career when sacks are excluded.

Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter have also scored two rushing touchdowns apiece. Hiter led Michigan in rushing for the first time last weekend against UTEP.

Michigan has received big performances from its receiving corps as well.

JJ Buchanan had 126 receiving yards against Western Michigan, while Andrew Marsh had 105 against UTEP.

The Wolverines also have been efficient on third-and-fourth-down situations.

Michigan is one of 24 teams nationally that has converted every fourth-down attempt this season, going 4-for-4.

Defense off to strong start

Michigan’s defense has allowed only three touchdowns through three games and is giving up 11 points per game, which ranks 16th nationally.

The Wolverines recorded 11 tackles for loss against UTEP, with 12 different players contributing to the total.

It was Michigan’s most tackles for loss in a game since 2022.

Michigan ranks ninth nationally with 8.3 tackles for loss per game and 18th with 3.0 sacks per game.

John Henry Daley leads the Wolverines with 2.5 sacks, while Dominic Nichols and Nate Marshall each have two.

Linebacker Troy Bowles has led Michigan in tackles in two of three games and is averaging 10.5 tackles per game, ranking ninth nationally.

The Wolverines also have limited opposing passing attacks, allowing 139 passing yards per game while ranking 34th nationally in pass-efficiency defense.

Michigan has forced three turnovers, including two interceptions.

Jonah Lea’ea returned an interception nine yards for a touchdown against UTEP, giving him the shortest pick-six in program history.

Jyaire Hill had Michigan’s first interception of the season against Oklahoma.

It was his third career interception.

New faces making an impact

Several newcomers have already made their mark for the Wolverines.

Ten players made their collegiate or Michigan debuts against Western Michigan, followed by four more against UTEP.

Six Wolverines have made their first collegiate starts this season, including tight ends Jalen Hoffman and Eli Owens, linebackers Bowles and Chase Taylor, defensive end Nichols, cornerback Shamari Earls and wide receiver Salesi Moa.

The offensive line also continues to develop, with four players having made at least 11 starts at Michigan: Evan Link, Andrew Sprague, Jake Guarnera and Blake Frazier.

Michigan has allowed 3.5 negative plays per game, ranking 31st nationally in tackles for loss allowed.

Special teams

Kicker Trey Butkowski has connected on 40- and 49-yard field goals this season.

Punter Cameron Brown is averaging 43.5 yards per punt, with a net average of 42.3 yards.

Eight of his 14 punts have landed inside the 20-yard line.

Against Oklahoma, Brown pinned the Sooners inside their 20-yard line on six of seven punts, including two that were downed at the 1-yard line.

Kickoff specialist Jacob Baggett has produced 11 touchbacks on 14 kickoffs.

Saturday’s matchup gives Michigan an early Big Ten test against a ranked Iowa team, with both teams entering conference play unbeaten.

Game Notes

Iowa enters Saturday’s matchup with Michigan ranked No. 1 nationally in total defense, but the Wolverines have also established themselves as one of the nation’s top defensive teams.

Michigan ranks 10th nationally in total defense, allowing 220.0 yards per game.

The Wolverines also rank among the top 10 nationally in three other defensive categories: passing yards allowed, tackles for loss and sacks.

Michigan and Iowa will meet for the 65th time Saturday.

The Wolverines hold a 45-15-4 advantage in the all-time series and have won 15 of the past 22 meetings.

Michigan has also dominated the series in Ann Arbor, posting a 24-5-3 record against Iowa at Michigan Stadium.

The Wolverines are 25-6-3 against the Hawkeyes all time in Ann Arbor.

In Iowa City, Michigan is 17-8-1, including a 16-8-1 record at Kinnick Stadium.

The Wolverines have won 13 of the past 20 meetings, although the teams have split their last 10 matchups.

The first two games in the series were played at neutral sites.

Iowa won the first meeting 28-5 in 1900 in Detroit.

Michigan responded with a 50-0 victory in 1901 in Chicago.

The matchup continues a series that has featured strong defensive teams on both sides, with Iowa entering ranked No. 1 nationally in total defense and Michigan ranked No. 10.