We have a top-20 college football battle in Ann Arbor this weekend when the Michigan Wolverines host the Iowa Hawkeyes to begin Big Ten play. 

These are a pair of 3-0 teams going head-to-head, so someone is picking up their first loss. Michigan has the best win between these two teams, a 17-10 win over Oklahoma. It will be the first time these teams have matched up since 2023, Michigan won that game 26-0. 

Ahead of Saturday’s game, let’s get into score predictions from the staff here at A to Z Sports. 

Michigan 20, Iowa 13

The Wolverines getting this game at home is good news for them because going to Iowa is never easy. Much like we saw against a tough Oklahoma defense, Michigan is going to need to run QB Bryce Underwood a ton in this one. This matchup has the makings of a low-scoring defensive battle and I think that’s what we’ll get. Whichever team can create an extra explosive play might just be the winner. Iowa isn’t really battle-tested yet and has outscored their opponents 111-13 through the first two weeks. Michigan adds another impressive win early in the season, but it’s going to be a close one. — Brandon Little

Michigan 19, Iowa 16

This is everything that the Big Ten was built upon before the advent of the spread offense. Both teams are built upon their defense, and the Hawkeyes are exactly what you think they are offensively: anemic through the air and solid on the ground. They will need to rely upon running back Kamari Moulton to generate the offense. He’s averaging 9.23 yards per carry and has 0.39 EPA/rush.

The Wolverines are a different story. If Bryce Underwood plays up to his potential on the afternoon, the Wolverines will run away with it. The problem is, he hasn’t found a way to do that with any sort of consistency. Even so, the Wolverines have a significant talent advantage, and that alone will help the Wolverines get the win. — Tyler Forness

Iowa 17, Michigan 13

This is exactly the type of game the Hawkeyes want to play: physical, low-scoring and decided by which team can win the line of scrimmage and make a few more plays. Iowa’s defense has allowed just 13 points through three games while its rushing attack is averaging 268 yards per game, so I expect the Hawkeyes to control the tempo and make Michigan work for everything.

The difference comes down to a couple of explosive plays from Tony Diaz, who has already emerged as Iowa’s top receiving option with 17 catches for 201 yards through three games. Michigan’s defense will keep this game tight, but I think Bryce Underwood continues to struggle against a disciplined Iowa defense, especially when the Wolverines need to make plays through the air. Underwood has shown improvement in recent weeks, but Iowa presents a much tougher test, and the Hawkeyes eventually make just enough plays to escape Ann Arbor with a 17-13 victory. — Ryan Roberts

Michigan 17, Iowa 13

The Wolverines, still undefeated in their official record but once-beaten in the court of public opinion, have been a mess on offense outside of a second-half surge last week against UTEP. They have been vanilla and predictable, with Bryce Underwood unable to lead a competent passing game that can open things up a bit. 

Iowa has put up plenty of points in two of three games, but they were against non-P4 competition. In their annual clash with Iowa State, they escaped 16-13. 

Michigan’s defense will present a test for Iowa like they haven’t seen yet. And it’s the Wolverines’ defense that forces a mistake that proves to be the winning points in a Saturday afternoon rock fight in Ann Arbor. — Craig Smith