Iowa vs Michigan Picks and Prediction for Saturday, September 26, 2026

The 18th-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes visit the 19th-ranked Michigan Wolverines on Saturday at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, with the opening kickoff at 3:30 PM ET and televised on CBS. Both teams are 3-0 overall and 0-0 in Big Ten play. Iowa is coming off a 55-0 win over Northern Iowa after beating Iowa State 16-13. Michigan defeated UTEP 52-17 last week after a 17-10 win over Oklahoma. Get ready for Saturday’s matchup with our free NCAAF picks.

Iowa Hawkeyes Arriving With an Unbeaten Record

Iowa has won its first three games while allowing only 13 total points. Hank Brown has completed 45 of 62 passes for 473 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. His 72.6% completion rate has helped the Hawkeyes protect the football, and Brown has not been sacked. Tony Diaz leads the receiving corps with 17 catches for 201 yards and a touchdown. Reece Vander Zee has added 77 yards on six receptions, while DJ Vonnahme has 67 yards on six catches. Iowa has four passing touchdowns as a team.

The Hawkeyes have done most of their damage on the ground, rushing for 804 yards and nine touchdowns at 7.4 yards per attempt. Kamari Moulton leads Iowa with 240 yards and two scores on 26 carries. Xavier Williams has 162 yards and three touchdowns, while Braeden Jackson has 155 yards and a score. Iowa’s defense has recorded eight sacks and three interceptions. Cam Buffington leads the unit with 27 tackles, while Joseph Anderson has two sacks. Jacob Wallace, Deshaun Lee and Rashad Godfrey Jr. have recorded interceptions.

Injuries: Kamari Moulton (questionable), L.J. Phillips Jr. (out), DJ Vonnahme (out).

Michigan Wolverines Building Around Defense and the Ground Game

Michigan has also opened 3-0, with its defense allowing 39 total points. Bryce Underwood has completed 40 of 64 passes for 504 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Underwood has also been Michigan’s leading rusher with 156 yards and two touchdowns on 33 attempts. JJ Buchanan has been the main downfield target, catching 15 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 17.7 yards per reception. Andrew Marsh has added 133 yards and a touchdown on 15 catches.

The Wolverines have rushed for 443 yards and six touchdowns at 4.1 yards per attempt. Jordan Marshall has 135 yards and two touchdowns, while Savion Hiter has added 83 yards and two scores. Michigan’s defense has produced 10 sacks and two interceptions. John Henry Daley leads the pass rush with 2.5 sacks, while Dom Nichols and Nate Marshall have two apiece. Troy Bowles leads the Wolverines with 25 tackles. Jyaire Hill and Jonah Lea'ea have each recorded an interception, with Lea'ea returning his for a touchdown.

Injuries: Logan Forbes (questionable), Hogan Hansen (questionable).

Key to the Game

Michigan’s defensive front against Iowa’s rushing attack is the key matchup. The Hawkeyes are averaging 7.4 yards per carry, with three running backs already above 150 rushing yards. Michigan has 10 sacks and enough activity near the line of scrimmage to challenge that production. Iowa also needs to account for Underwood as a runner, especially when passing plays break down. Turnovers can be decisive in a game with a low total. Brown has not thrown an interception, while Underwood has thrown only one.

Iowa vs Michigan Game Pick

• Iowa +4.5 (-110)

Iowa is the pick at +4.5 in a matchup between unbeaten Big Ten teams. The Hawkeyes have allowed only 13 points in three games and have a rushing attack averaging 7.4 yards per carry. Brown has also protected the football, completing 72.6% of his passes without an interception. Michigan has played well defensively, but the Wolverines are averaging 4.1 yards per rushing attempt and have scored 30 combined points against Western Michigan and Oklahoma. Iowa’s defense and ground game can keep the margin within four points.

Iowa vs Michigan Over/Under Pick

• Under 37.5 (-110)

Under 37.5 is the pick in a matchup featuring two defenses that have kept scoring low. Iowa has surrendered 13 total points, including two shutouts, while Michigan held Western Michigan to 12 and Oklahoma to 10. Both offenses also have reasons to stay committed to the ground game, which can shorten possessions and limit total drives. Iowa has run the ball 108 times, and Michigan has 108 rushing attempts as well. With a close spread and two productive defensive fronts, a game in the low 30s is the expected outcome.