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No. 2 Michigan is aiming for its third straight conference title as it takes on No. 16 Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game. The Wolverines clinched the Big Ten East title with a 30-24 win against arch-rival Ohio State to put a bow on their second consecutive 12-0 regular season. They did so without coach Jim Harbaugh, who served a three-game suspension to end the year as a result of the Big Ten’s investigation into Michigan’s alleged sign-stealing operation. Harbaugh will be back patrolling the sidelines for the Big Ten title game.
Iowa has overcome its fair share of adversity to reach Indianapolis for the second time in three years. The Hawkeyes have had to deal with a litany of season-ending injuries — starting quarterback Cade McNamara, leading receiver Erick All, projected NFL Draft first-round defensive back Cooper DeJean (just to name a few) — and have played under an offensive coordinator in Brian Ferentz that won’t be back next season. Despite all that, they finished the year 10-2 and won the Big Ten West by a comfortable margin thanks to an excellent-as-ever defense and strong special teams play.
Since the Big Ten went to its current divisional alignment, the Big Ten East is a perfect 9-0 in the championship game. Michigan beat Iowa 42-3 in the 2021 Big Ten Championship Game to secure its first College Football Playoff berth in program history. Maybe the Hawkeyes can put up more of a fight this go around.
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