Sports

Iowa Football vs. Michigan: Three Things the Hawkeyes Need To Win

Nairavoice · Sep 22, 2026 · 2 min read

Iowa will have the chance to prove itself this coming Saturday when it travels to Michigan for a ranked showdown

The Big Ten Conference season will begin in a big way for Iowa football, as they hit the road for the first time this year to play Michigan.

Both teams enter the ranked matchup with matching 3-0 records, but those marks have a drastic difference to them.

Of course, we all remember the timing issue that allowed the Wolverines to throw a game-winning pass and defeat Western Michigan. The Hawkeyes, of course, earned a narrow victory over Iowa State to weeks ago.

Regardless of all of that, they both won and they are each looking to get to 1-0 in the Big Ten.

Here are three things Iowa needs to do to defeat Michigan on the road this coming Saturday afternoon.

1. Lean On A Deep Running Back Group, Strong Offensive Line

It really is nothing different than past Kirk Ferentz-led Iowa offenses. Controlling the line of scrimmage and the clock go hand-in-hand.

The Hawkeyes showed last week against an overmatched Northern Iowa defense that they have a lot of capable running backs. Even without Kamari Mouton, Iowa ran for 422 yards and six touchdowns.

Mouton is expected to return to action this week. He should be helped out by Xavier Williams, Braeden Jackson and Nathan McNeil.

Williams ran for 151 and three scores, Jackson had 125 and one, and McNeil racked up 111 and two touchdowns. If Iowa can rotate them in and keep them fresh, it should wear on the Michigan defense throughout the day.

2. Avoid Turnovers, Keep Hank Brown Upright

Hank Brown has proven over the course of three games that he is the starting quarterback. Iowa rewarded him by naming him the only starter, removing the “or” tag that was on the depth chart with Jeremy Hecklinski.

Brown was perfect vs. the Panthers, completing all 12 of his passes attempted for 153 yards and two touchdowns. His offensive line kept him from being sacked on the day.

For the season, Brown has almost 500 passing yards and no interceptions on 62 attempts. He has completed at least 60 percent in each game and thrown for at least 129 in all three.

3. Get Tony Diaz Going Again

Brown’s favorite target up until last week has been Tony Diaz, as the junior transfer from UT Rio Grande Valley has looked great.

Diaz was held to just two catches vs. Northern Iowa, but honestly, he wasn’t needed. That will not be the case this coming week.

At UT Rio Grande Valley, Diaz had 67 receptions for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns. So far this year, he has 17 receptions for 201 yards and a touchdown, averaging almost 12 yards per catch.

Look for Brown and Iowa to get him more involved from the start to try and open up the lanes for the running backs to go through.