The #2 Michigan Wolverines (11-1, 8-1 Big Ten) collide with the #13 Iowa Hawkeyes (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten) in the Big Ten Championship on Saturday night. Michigan is fresh off a huge victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes, while the Hawkeyes fought back to defeat the Nebraska Huskers to advance to the title.
The championship kicks off at 8 p.m. EST inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. Michigan is an 11-point favorite, and the over-under total is at 43.5 points.
What to Know – Michigan Wolverines
Michigan has to bounce back after their historic victory over the favored Buckeyes. Head coach Jim Harbaugh collected his first victory over OSU and put the Wolverines in the Big Ten Championship for the first time in school history.
The Wolverines averaged 37.3 points and produced 451.2 yards of total offense this season. Michigan’s defense was one of the better units in the nation, holding teams to 17.2 points and 319.3 yards of offense.
Cade McNamara led the Michigan offense, completing 64.4% of his passes for 2,301 yards, 14 touchdowns, and three interceptions. Cornelius Johnson was his main target., catching 37 passes for 594 yards and three touchdowns.
Hassan Haskins (1,232 yards, 18 touchdowns) and Blake Corum (865 yards, ten touchdowns) combined to rush for 2,000 yards and found the endzone 28 times for the Wolverines’ offense.
Michigan is 10-2 against the spread this season and 6-3 ATS over their last nine against the Hawkeyes. The total has gone over in four of Michigan’s five games from home.
What to Know – Iowa Hawkeyes
What a Thanksgiving weekend for the Hawkeyes, who scored 19 points in the fourth quarter to come back and defeat the Cornhuskers. Iowa then had to wait until Saturday needing a Wisconsin loss, which happened, to remarkably punch their ticket to the title match.
Iowa has never been a flashy team, and that is the case again this season. The Hawkeyes score 25.7 points per game behind 299.1 yards of offense. Iowa’s defense is similar to Michigan’s, surrendering 17.3 points and 315.8 yards of offense to opponents.
The Hawkeyes played a pair of quarterbacks last week, Spencer Petras and Alex Padilla. Padilla got the start, but Petras led the Hawkeyes for a majority of the contest against Nebraska. Petras completed 58.1% of his passes for 1,532 yards, nine touchdowns, and six interceptions this season.
Running back Tyler Goodson carried the ball 238 times for 1,101 yards with six touchdowns. Tight end Sam LaPorta was a receptions hog, leading the Hawkeyes with 40 catches for 486 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
This year, Iowa is 7-5 ATS with a 5-0 record ATS against teams from the Big Ten East Division. The total has gone under in four of the last five when facing the Wolverines.
The Pick is In
Michigan is faced with a classic letdown after its emotional victory over the Buckeyes last week. Iowa did what they needed to do to get here and got a little help from their friends to the north.
The Wolverines held one of the best offenses in the nation to 27 points, so they’ll be able to contain Iowa’s attack with ease. Iowa’s defense is stout against the run and will limit the big plays from Michigan’s ground game. This one is going to be a low-scoring snoozer.
Betting Pick: Michigan/Iowa Under 43.5
