{"id":82743,"date":"2022-09-30T12:27:28","date_gmt":"2022-09-30T12:27:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/iowas-personnel-strengths-and-keys-for-michigan-ahead-of-saturdays-matchup\/"},"modified":"2022-09-30T12:27:28","modified_gmt":"2022-09-30T12:27:28","slug":"iowas-personnel-strengths-and-keys-for-michigan-ahead-of-saturdays-matchup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/iowas-personnel-strengths-and-keys-for-michigan-ahead-of-saturdays-matchup\/","title":{"rendered":"Iowa’s personnel, strengths, and keys for Michigan ahead of Saturday’s matchup"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By just about every metric, the No. 4 Michigan football team will face its toughest test of the season Saturday afternoon, when the Wolverines travel to Iowa City to take on an Iowa team with a stingy defense and another top-five upset on its mind (Noon, FOX).<\/p>\n

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So what makes Iowa (1-0 Big Ten, 3-1 overall) such a dangerous opponent, and how can Michigan (1-0, 4-0) leave Kinnick Stadium with a win? We take an in-depth look at the Hawkeyes below. We look at key personnel, Iowa’s outlook, Michigan’s keys and pick a winner in the five key phases of Saturday’s matchup.<\/p>\n

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Iowa passing offense vs. Michigan pass defense<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Hawkeye personnel<\/b><\/p>\n

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Spencer Petras \u2014 48-for-94 passing, 524 passing yards, one touchdown, two interceptions<\/p>\n

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Sam LaPorta (TE) \u2014 28 targets, 16 receptions, 154 yards, 53 yards after catch, two forced missed tackles, three drops<\/p>\n

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Arland Bruce IV \u2014 18 targets, 10 receptions, 132 yards, one touchdown, 32 yards after catch, one forced missed tackle<\/p>\n

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Luke Lachey (TE) \u2014 7 targets, 5 receptions, 55 yards, 12 yards after contact<\/p>\n

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Gavin Williams (RB) \u2014 6 targets, 5 receptions, 44 yards, 46 yards after contact<\/p>\n

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Leshon Williams (RB) \u2014 5 targets, 4 receptions, 42 yards, 33 yards after contact, one forced missed tackle<\/p>\n

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Offensive line \u2014 9 sacks and 38 pressures allowed in 612 collective pass-blocking snaps (6.21 pressure rate allowed)<\/p>\n

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What Iowa brings<\/b><\/p>\n

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Even by Iowa standards, this Hawkeyes passing attack has struggled. Petras has struggled to progress from last season as Iowa’s pass-protection has gotten worse, while injuries and departures from wide receivers have made the Hawkeyes’ receiving game particularly tight end- and running back-heavy. That isn’t a bad strategy to take \u2014 LaPorta is a pretty dynamic tight end capable of lining up anywhere on the field and making players, while the other three have pretty good hands \u2014 but does condense the Michigan defense’s homework assignments for the week. Petras is brutal in coverage \u2014 his passer efficiency rating is 116.2 when in a clean pocket, but drops to 42.9 when under pressure.<\/p>\n

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Keys for Michigan<\/b><\/p>\n

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(This story continues below.)<\/em><\/p>\n

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