Michigan football vs Iowa grades: Lots of blame to go around
Free Press sports writer Tony Garcia grades Michigan football after the No. 18 Wolverines' 20-19 loss to No. 17 Iowa.
Michigan football suffered a 20-19 loss to Iowa in Week 4 of the 2026 college football season at Michigan Stadium. The Wolverines' offense, led by Bryce Underwood's 276-yard performance, was the bright spot, but they failed to capitalize on red zone opportunities and struggled with third-down conversions. Defensively, Michigan dominated the first half, allowing only 129 yards, but faltered late as Iowa scored two touchdowns in the final 16 minutes.
Special teams received a D+ grade, with key mistakes including a missed tackle on a 99-yard kickoff return. Coaches faced criticism for coaching decisions, particularly the use of the run game in the final minutes and penalties that added 75 yards to Iowa's score. Overall, the Wolverines lost due to a combination of offensive inefficiencies, defensive lapses, and excessive penalties.
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