5 Bold Predictions: Week 5 vs Iowa
1. Michigan Scores 30+
The Wolverines boast the number 1 scoring offense in the nation, putting up 50 points per game. The Hawkeyes head into the weekend as the number 1 scoring defense in the country, giving up only 5.75 points per game. Something must give, and I’m predicting it will be the Iowa defense. Don’t get me wrong, JJ McCarthy and the Michigan offense will have their hands full and must be extra careful not to turn the ball over, but at the end of the day, I think Michigan’s skill position players will help the Wolverines pull away late, scoring at least 30 points.
2. Moody is Money
Jake Moody has earned the nickname “Money Moody” for obvious reasons. The dude rarely misses. I’d love to predict nothing but touchdowns for the Michigan offense this weekend, but it’s more realistic that we see some field goal attempts against the stingiest defense in the country. I’m going on record predicting that Money Moody doesn’t miss this Saturday at Kinnick.
3. Sainristil Forces a Turnover
One of the most welcomed surprises of the young season thus far has been Mike Sainristil’s comfortability on the defensive side of the ball. Many questioned whether or not the former wide receiver would be able to play defense at a high level, but the coaching staff’s move is looking smarter every day. Sainristil has been flying around the field making tackles, pressuring QBs, and disrupting pass-catchers. This week he will come up big with a forced turnover against the Hawkeyes.
4. JJ's Highest Rushing Total
As Iowa’s defense is being touted as one of the best in the country, I can easily see them forcing JJ to scramble a few times on Saturday. In Michigan’s first few games of the year, it seems almost as if the coaching staff told him to take it easy on running the ball to avoid too many unnecessary hits. Well this is the weekend the training wheels come off and we see how athletic our 5-star QB actually is. When you add up the scrambling success along with the RPO keeps, I’m predicting JJ runs for more yards than we’ve ever seen from him.
5. Ronnie Bell Surpasses 100 Yards Receiving
The last time Michigan played Iowa was the 2021 Big 10 Championship game, and Ronnie Bell was forced to watch from the sidelines while he rehabbed his ACL. So far this season the team captain seems poised to have a great season, with recent receiving performances of 76, 96, and 72 yards. Can Ronnie Bell put himself in the conversation as one of the all-time great Michigan receivers? I think the answer is yes, and it starts on Saturday when he surpasses the 100-yard receiving mark.
