W. Michigan vs. Iowa Game Preview
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m.
TV: BTN – Lisa Byington, Anthony Herron, and Shane Sparks on the call.
Last Meeting: Iowa beat Western Michigan 59-3 in 2013.
The Weather: Partly sunny skies. Temps around 75 with winds around 5 mph.
The Line: Iowa is a 28.5 point favorite.
History: Western Michigan actually holds a 2-1 edge in the overall series. They won the first two meetings earlier in the tenure of Kirk Ferentz with Iowa prevailing in the most recent meeting. The Hawkeyes have won their last five meetings against opponents from the Mid-American Conference.
THE BREAKDOWN
Iowa rush offense vs. Western Michigan rush defense
There was a bit of a positive development for the Iowa ground game. They cracked 100 yards rushing in the game, which was an improvement from the previous week. The story of the ground game was the play of Jaziun Patterson. He rumbled for a 59 yard run in the first half and finished the day with 86 yards and a rushing touchdown. Kaleb Johnson finished with 28 yards rushing and 1.9 yards per carry.
Overall, Iowa is averaging exactly 100 yards rushing in two games and 3.1 yards per carry. The Hawkeyes really looked like they might have found something in the ground game by running more counter plays that were generally effective.
So far this year, Western Michigan has been pretty solid against the run. They are allowing just 102 yards per game on the ground. Last week, Syracuse rushed for 153 yards in the game and averaged 4.1 yards per carry against the Broncos defense. Michigan State transfer Tate Hallock leads the team with 17 tackles this season. Aaron Wofford has 13 stops and linebacker Damari Roberson has 12 tackles this season. Iowa should be able to carve out over 150 yards on the ground, but keep an eye on the Broncos very aggressive defense that will stack the box. ADVANTAGE: SLIGHT TO IOWA
Iowa pass offense vs. Western Michigan pass defense
Cade McNamara made his second start for the Hawkeyes and once again played pretty well. He did have an interception, but that was a controversial one with a potential pass interference. Against Iowa State he was 12-22 for 123 yards. For the season, McNamara is 29-52 (56%) for 314 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Luke Lachey leads the team with ten receptions for 131 yards. That included a 35 yard completion this past weekend. Fellow tight end Erick All is second on the team with 6 receptions for 47 yards and one touchdown. Nico Ragaini is the leading wide receiver so far this season with 4 receptions for 44 yards. Seth Anderson has the other touchdown reception and has three catches for 55 yards.
Western Michigan is allowing 286 yards per game in the air. They have also given up a pair of touchdown passes. Last weekend, Syracuse passed for 343 yards against the Broncos, so perhaps this is a real opportunity for some big plays in the passing game.
Thus far, they do not have an interception this season, but six passes broken up. Leading the team is defensive back Keni-H Lovely has a pair of passes broken up this season. The Broncos will bring a lot of pressure and they have five sacks. Linebacker Boone Bonnema has 1.5 sacks this year.
Iowa is going to be challenged to keep McNamara clean. They have allowed just one sack so far this year. Look for Iowa to try to set up some one on one opportunities down the field. ADVANTAGE: SLIGHT TO IOWA
Western Michigan rush offense vs. Iowa rush defense
The Broncos has a two man attack running the ball with one player being the clear leader. That back is Jalen Buckley, who is a former walk-on from Illinois. He had nearly 200 yards rushing in their opening game of the season and for the season, Buckley has rushed for 281 yards and a pair of scores. Zahir Abdus-Salaam has 25 rushes for 84 yards this season. Overall they are averaging 218 yards per game on the ground and 4.7 yards per carry.
On the defensive side of the ball, Iowa’s ground stoppers are doing a terrific job again this year. They have allowed 203 yards this season and 3.7 yards per carry. Iowa has not allowed a rushing touchdown this year. Leading Iowa’s tacklers this year is Jay Higgins. The Iowa middle linebacker has 23 stops. Cooper DeJean has 16 tackles and linebacker Nick Jackson comes in at 14 stops. Sebastian Castro leads the team with a pair of tackles for loss. Overall, Iowa has 9 tackles for loss this season.
While Western Michigan has put up some decent numbers on the ground, the reality is Iowa’s run defense is going to be the top group here. ADVANTAGE: IOWA
Western Michigan pass offense vs. Iowa pass defense
It’s interesting that Western Michigan has played three quarterbacks this season and it’s only two games old. Their starter appears to be veteran Jack Salopek. This season he has completed 33-48 passes for 280 yards. He has one touchdown pass and a pair of interceptions. Treyson Bourguet has completed 10-16 passes for 64 yards. Overall, they have passed for 195 yards per game this season.
Kenneth Womack is their leading receiver in 2023. He has 8 receptions for 121 yards. Tight end Austin Hence has 9 receptions for 68 yards and one touchdown. In terms of receptions, Jehlani Galloway has a team high ten for 55 yards.
Iowa’s pass defense has been very solid again this year. Iowa is allowing 208 yards per game passing this season and they have allowed a pair of scores. The Hawkeyes have two interceptions this year, including a pick six by Sebastian Castro. They also have broken up 13 passes this year with Jay Higgins leading the way with three. Iowa only has one sack this year, but they have seven quarterback pressures. One note, Iowa will get back veteran Jermari Harris this week following a two game gambling suspension.
Western Michigan really don’t throw as much as you would think and Iowa has a decided edge here. ADVANTAGE: IOWA
Special Teams
Tory Taylor remains one of the top punters in college football. He has 12 punts this year for an average of 47.5 yards. He has dropped 3 punts inside the 20 yard line. Drew Stevens has been great on field goals and kickoffs. He is 3-3 this year with a long of 34 yards. Cooper DeJean will handle punt returns and is averaging 2.0 yards per return. Kaleb Johnson is expected to return kickoffs and is averaging 38.5 yards per return.
Western Michigan has used two punters. For the season, they are averaging 39.7 yards per punt with four landing inside the 20 yard line. They have not tried a field goal yet this season, but Palmer Domschke is expected to handle those duties. Abdus-Salaam is their punt returner and has only fielded on punt this season. Keshawn King is their kick returner and he is averaging 19.5 yards per return. ADVANTAGE: IOWA
THE LAST CALL
Iowa wraps up the non-conference portion of their schedule on Saturday when they host Western Michigan. One thing Kirk Ferentz has brought up to his squad this week to get his players attention is the fact that he is 1-2 against the Broncos in his Iowa career.
Shocking, but true.
The Hawkeyes should even this series up on Saturday. If they don’t it will be a massive upset.
Western Michigan is led by first year head coach Lance Taylor. He likes to run an up tempo offense. But, that doesn’t mean he throws the ball around the yard. In fact, in the opening game, the Broncos ran over 90 plays, but they only threw 26 passes. Basically they play fast, but run the ball.
That would seem to play right into Iowa’s hands.
What was interesting last week was their collapse on the defensive side of the ball. They scored the first touchdown of the game and then gave up the next 45 in the first half to trail 45-7 at the break at Syracuse.
Now this week they have to hit the road for a second straight week against a power five opponent and this time it’s a physical Big Ten team.
Iowa hasn’t had a laugher since the win over Maryland in 2021. They also haven’t gotten over 400 yards of total offense since that game either. Basically, it’s been a while. I think they break those streaks on Saturday. Iowa fans get the kind of game they have been longing for, a comfortable blowout victory. IOWA 42 WESTERN MICHIGAN 7. My pick to click this week is Cade McNamara. He throws for 250 yards and three touchdowns.
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