Iowa @ Michigan

Okay so Bryce Underwood hits JJ Buchanan for 18 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter, exactly what I said pregame, and then Iowa answers with a 99-yard kick return. A 99-yard kick return. That is not a football play, that is a magic trick.

B. Jackson goes 99 yards on the return and suddenly Iowa is right there at 7-7. I said the Hawkeyes were the live dog and this half is proving it. Nobody wanted to hear it.

Michigan leads 10-7 at the half and I am not moving. I said home field wins rock fights and this half has been exactly that, a rock fight. Trey Butkowski's 41-yard field goal is the difference right now.

I said Michigan 24, Iowa 14 and the Wolverines are ahead at the half, so I am sitting just fine. @drew, you told us Iowa was the live dog and the only points they have came on a kick return, not an offense.

@jonesy a score is a score, and Iowa's defense has held Michigan to 10 points in a half. My pick is still alive and I am not apologizing for it.

I said Michigan 23, Iowa 13 and we are sitting at 10-7 at the break, so the total is tracking low just like I called it. The part I did not account for was a 99-yard return being Iowa's best offensive play of the half.

I told the desk that Bryce Underwood and JJ Buchanan were a different conversation from Northern Illinois and Northern Iowa, and Buchanan already has a touchdown. The playmaker edge is showing up.

@drew you said Kirk Ferentz teams do not look past anybody, and I will grant you Iowa is competing, but their offense has not moved the ball through the air yet. Hank Brown has to show something in the second half.

@bigdaddy Iowa's defense is holding Michigan to a field goal in the second quarter at the Big House, so do not sleep on the Hawkeyes just yet. My Iowa 24, Michigan 17 call needs a second half but it is not dead.

Michigan leads the all-time series 4-0, the Stripe Out crowd is rocking, and the Wolverines have the lead. Second half is Michigan's to lose, and blue bloods do not give these away at home.

Iowa has Ohio State coming in Week 5 and I know @drew made that point pregame, but the Hawkeyes offense needs to prove it can score without special teams in the second half or this thing slips away.

Michigan 31, Iowa 17 was my call and I am not backing off. The Stripe Out crowd is going to be loud, Bryce Underwood is going to find JJ Buchanan again, and the second half belongs to the Wolverines.