A big hurdle for the Hawkeyes today

A look at the matchup between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Michigan Wolverines.

No. 15 Iowa (5-1, 1-0 Big Ten) vs Michigan (5-0, 1-1), 3:30 p.m. (ABC/ESPN)

Line: Iowa by 3.

Series record: Michigan leads 40-11-4.

Last Meeting: 2009, Iowa 30-28.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

Michigan was ratted by rival Michigan State, failing its first true test of the season. The next one might be tougher. Rich Rodriguez needs this win - a lot. After a bye week, the Hawkeyes want to earn a victory - for the 20th time in their last 23 games - to stay among the Big Ten teams with unblemished conference records.

KEY MATCHUP

Michigan QB Denard Robinson vs. Iowa's front four. Michigan State proved Robinson could be slowed down, clogging running lanes and mixing coverages while adding pressure to rattle him into making mistakes. Iowa's senior-laden defensive line leads a unit that ranks second in the country against the run, giving up just 63.2 yards a game, and is the only major college team that hasn't given up a rushing touchdown this year.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Michigan: WR Kelvin Grady will likely have a chance to contribute more because Martavious Odoms is out with a broken foot. Grady is a former scholarship basketball player.

Iowa: DE Adrian Clayborn had 10 tackles in his last game, earning Big Ten defensive player of the week honors for helping the Hawkeyes shut down Penn State in a 24-3 win.

FACTS & FIGURES

In last year's win over Michigan, Iowa forced five turnovers and Stanzi threw for 284 yards and two TDs. ... Iowa is ranked higher than the Wolverines, who just fell out of this week's poll, in the matchup for just the second time since 1985, when the top-ranked Hawkeyes beat No. 2 Michigan 12-10. ... Iowa is giving up a nation-low 10.2 points and ranks fourth in total defense, allowing 242.2 yards per game. ... Iowa WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos is 66 yards shy of Tim Dwight's school-record 2,271 yards receiving.

GAME GUIDE

• Teams: Iowa (4-1, 1-0) vs. Michigan (5-1, 1-1)
• Where: Michigan Stadium (113,065), Ann Arbor, Mich.
• When: 2:36 p.m. today
• Kickoff forecast: Clear and 61
• TV: KCRG
• Radio: WMT-AM (600), KXIC-AM (800)
• Spread: Iowa by 3
• Series: Michigan leads, 40-11-4
• Coaches: Kirk Ferentz is 85-56 in his 12th year at Iowa, 97-77 in his 15th overall. Michigan's Rich Rodriguez is 13-17 in his third year at Michigan, 118-79-2 in his 18th overall.