Michigan Wolverines (12-0) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes (10-2)
Michigan Wolverines vs. Iowa Hawkeyes 12/2/23 – The undefeated No. 2 Michigan Wolverines (12-0) will clash with the No. 15 Iowa Hawkeyes (10-2) in the Big Ten championship game on Saturday, December 2nd at Lucas Oil Stadium. This college football matchup between two conference powerhouses has major playoff implications on the line. College football team insights into these two talented teams reveal an intriguing showdown between Michigan’s high-octane offense and Iowa’s shutdown defense.
Led by emerging superstar J.J. McCarthy, Michigan Wolverines’offense has been unstoppable. The sophomore quarterback has showcased precision passing and game-changing athleticism all season. He spearheads a dynamic attack stacked with playmakers like Blake Corum and Roman Wilson. Corum’s ankle injury does cast some doubt though. Michigan may need to tweak their approach if he is hindered at all versus Iowa’s stout defense.
On the other side, Iowa is no easy out. Despite inconsistent quarterback play, the Hawkeyes have ground out victories through sheer determination and defensive brilliance. Veterans like linebacker Jack Campbell and corner Riley Moss highlight an opportunistic unit that always keeps Iowa in the game. However, the offense remains a major concern, especially against Michigan’s similarly dominant defense.
Michigan Wolverines vs Iowa Hawkeyes Game Info
| When: | Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 8:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Lucas Oil Stadium |
| TV: | FOX |
| Stream: | SofaScore |
J.J. McCarthy QB vs. Deacon Hill QB
J.J. McCarthy has taken the college football world by storm in his first year as a starter. The former 5-star recruit has showcased astounding accuracy and athleticism, compiling a 176.8 passer rating with over 2,400 yards and 19 touchdowns. His advanced passing traits and playmaking flair have made Michigan’s offense lethal. However, he hasn’t faced many defenses as tough as Iowa’s. The Hawkeyes love to confuse quarterbacks and will test McCarthy’s decision-making. If he takes care of the ball and avoids Iowa’s tricks, another huge outing should be in store.
Meanwhile, Deacon Hill has endured his fair share of struggles since taking over the starting job. The redshirt freshman often looks overwhelmed, making careless mistakes while struggling to push the ball downfield consistently. His stat line of 976 yards, 5 touchdowns and 6 interceptions illustrates his issues so far. Hill simply lacks the experience and polish to threaten Michigan’s defense. The Wolverines should be able to totally smother Iowa’s passing game while possibly forcing a back-breaking turnover or two.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: Michigan Wolverines -23, Total Odds: 35
The hefty 23-point spread indicates the oddsmakers’ confidence in Michigan marching to another blowout victory. Iowa typically plays nail-biters decided by one score. However, the Hawkeyes seem overmatched here, especially if Corum suits up healthy. The Michigan backfield should have their way versus an Iowa defense geared more towards stopping the pass. And defensively, Michigan possesses the athletes up front to make Hill’s life miserable. While the 23 points seem excessive on paper, Michigan has the firepower to cover here.
Michigan Wolverines Betting Trends
Michigan has found great success against the spread recently, covering in 6 of their previous 8 contests. The Wolverines are also riding a blistering 10-game straight up winning streak, underscoring their consistency and dominance. Additionally, Michigan has especially dominated Big Ten competition, going an astounding 20-0 straight up in their last 20 conference matchups. This sterling track record versus Big Ten foes bodes well for their chances to cover the heavy 23-point spread on Saturday.
Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Trends
Iowa’s stingy defense has fueled a prosperous 7-1 straight up run over their past 8 outings. The Hawkeyes have also played a slew of low-scoring grinders of late, evidenced by the under cashing in 7 straight games. Iowa’s defensive prowess and methodical style typically makes reaching high totals difficult. However, this Michigan team may boast too much firepower for even Iowa to contain.
Michigan Wolverines vs. Iowa Hawkeyes 12/2/23 Betting Picks
The betting trends highlight Iowa’s stingy defense and Michigan’s high-flying offense. Given the total has stayed under in many Iowa games, the under 35 points seems enticing. However, Michigan’s offense appears too hot to stop right now. Handicapping expert tips expect the Wolverines to eclipse 30 points themselves in a resounding victory.
In terms of covering the heavy 23-point spread, Michigan’s dominance against Big Ten foes makes this a tempting play. The Wolverines have simply crushed conference opponents while Iowa narrowly grinds out wins. As long as Blake Corum looks healthy, hammer Michigan’s spread with confidence.
Free Pick and Prediction: Michigan Wolverines 41, Iowa Hawkeyes 13