No. 3 Michigan secured a journey to the Big Ten Championship Game after dealing with No. 2 Ohio State 30-24 for its 3rd straight success over the competing Buckeyes to win the Big Ten East. The Wolverines will take on versus Big Ten West champ No. 17 Iowa at 8 p.m. ET on Dec. 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana
The Wolverines get in the title video game as 21.5-point favorites and are looking for their third-straight crown. Michigan has actually not won 3 successive Big Ten champions because a stretch of 6 straight in between Bo Schembechler and Gary Moeller from 1988-92.
Iowa is back in the title video game for the 2nd time in 3 seasons after edging out Nebraska 13-10 to reach 10 regular-season wins. The Hawkeyes had among the most astounding seasons in current memory, in some way reaching double-digit wins in spite of ranking last location nationally in overall offense at simply 246 backyards per video game. The mark sat more than 40 lawns behind the next-closest power conference challenger (Michigan State.
Considering that the existing divisional positioning started in 2014, the Big Ten East is an ideal 9-0 versus the Big Ten West. This likewise marks the 6th straight year the title video game spread has actually reached double digits. This is the last year of the divisional positioning before 4 brand-new groups press the Big Ten to 18 groups in 2024. Here’s what you require to learn about the 2023 Big Ten Championship Game.
Series History
Michigan has actually won 3 straight matches versus Iowa, consisting of a 42-3 whomping in the 2021 Big Ten Championship Game. The Hawkeyes last beat Michigan 14-13 in 2016 to keep the Wolverines out of the College Football Playoff with a 10-2 routine season record and questionable loss to Ohio State. Iowa has actually not beaten Michigan outside of Iowa City, Iowa, given that 2010.
Keys to the Game
Michigan has actually greatly beat its competitors this season, however Iowa provides a special obstacle. The Hawkeyes rank No. 7 nationally in overall defense and hold challengers to 4.04 lawns per play. Michigan will have the ability to produce some offense, however it will not come simple. The Wolverines would benefit considerably from some piece plays; Iowa is not constructed to play from behind.
For Iowa, merely playing uncomplicated offense will not suffice. The Hawkeyes typical simply 18 points per video game and were blanked versus Penn Statethe only ranked challenger on their schedule. Star protective back and punt returner Cooper DeJean is out, too, implying that Iowa will need to discover various choices to score points. Punter Tory Taylor will, as normal, play an important function, however it may not suffice to remain competitive.
Stakes for Michigan
Michigan is betting its 3rd straight journey to the College Football Playoff after completing 12-0 in the routine season for the 2nd successive year. The Wolverines have actually stopped working to get success in either of their College Football Playoff looks, however the 2023 team has a case as the very best of the Jim Harbaugh age. Mentioning Harbaugh, he will be back on the sidelines in the Big Ten title video game after serving a three-game suspension for breaking the Big Ten’s sportsmanship policy in the middle of the sign-stealing examination.
Stakes for Iowa
Iowa has actually assembled an elite run under coach Kirk Ferentz, however the Hawkeyes have actually not won a straight-out championship game considering that Hayden Fry’s group in 1985. Ferentz’s Iowa group have co-championships in 2002 and 2004, however a championship game video game triumph has actually avoided the team. Beating Michigan would offer Ferentz the evasive win and send out Iowa to a New Year’s Six bowl for the very first time given that 2015.
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