Michigan agreed to meet Iowa on their proverbial turf and play a nasty game with little offense, where field position has precedence and turnovers/special teams are crucial. Michigan played this Iowa game and in turn, out Iowa'd Iowa. The Wolverines came up with all three takeaways, netting 10 points off of them, and broke off the most consequential special teams play of the game, leading to another touchdown. Michigan beat Iowa at their own game in Indianapolis and thus claimed their third consecutive Big Ten Football Championship, the 45th in school history. 

Sing it again, Freddie. 

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The game itself was rather boring, a vintage Iowa slog. Michigan won the opening coin toss and deferred to the second half, giving Iowa possession, who promptly went three-and-out. Deacon Hill delivered a decent throw on 3rd down under pressure, but Junior Colson broke it up. Michigan them embarked on a plodding 13 play, 52 yard drive that saw them convert one 4th down (a JJ McCarthy strike to Cornelius Johnson) but opt to kick a field goal on the second 4th down situation. An injury to center Drake Nugent the play before was likely a key reason for kicking on 4th & short, as Michigan decided to let James Turner bang through a 35 yard field goal to open the scoring. 3-0 Michigan. 

Iowa's second drive saw them pick up their first first down of the game, a run by Leshon Williams on a 3rd & short, but they punted four plays later. A false start had backed them up and calling a reverse on 3rd & 12 amounted to waving the white flag. Iowa put star punter Tory Taylor on the field and he launched a booming punt, backing Michigan returner Semaj Morgan back inside his own 10. Morgan caught it, sidestepped two quick tackle attempts, made one cut back, and then found an open seam. Morgan put on the jets and was gone, dusting every Hawkeye until he began to run out of gas some 70 yards later. An Iowa player pushed him out inside the Hawkeye 10, but the 87 yard(!) punt return was the longest in B1G Championship Game history. Set up at the Iowa five, Michigan ran Corum twice and punched it in. 10-0 Wolverines. 

The putrid Iowa offense was now in a seemingly insurmountable hole and nearly gave Michigan the ball right back, as Mike Sainristil read Deacon Hill's third down pass intended for Kaleb Brown perfectly. Sainristil dove for the ball, but was unable to come up with it. Alas, Iowa punted and Michigan got the ball back. This drive was a solid one, several productive passes by JJ McCarthy got Michigan marching down the field, but a completion to AJ Barner on the run was called back due to a rather borderline holding penalty on Trente Jones. Set behind the sticks, Michigan's offensive line began to struggle against the ferocity of Iowa's pass rush. Deontae Craig sacked McCarthy and Michigan punted. 

[Patrick Barron]

Iowa continued to be completely incompetent on offense. They went three-and-out again, a PBU by Ja'Den McBurrows ending the next drive, and punted it back to Michigan. The Wolverines' offense was equally stuck in the mud during this period, the Iowa front seven imposing itself and another sack forced a quick Michigan punt (this sack by Max Llewellyn). Tommy Doman's ensuing punt was a poor one, taking a bad hop around midfield and setting the Hawkeyes up with excellent field position, starting at the Wolverine 38. 

This seemed to be the moment for Iowa to get back in the game, being given the plus field position their offense desperately needed to get on the board. After an eight yard gain on first down, a throwaway brought up 3rd & 2 from the Michigan 30. Deacon Hill completed a play-action dump-off to Jaziun Patterson behind the sticks. Patterson turned his body up the field, took a step and made a football move, when Mike Sainristil punched the ball free, recovered by Michigan's Kris Jenkins. The game's first takeaway ended a key opportunity for Iowa and as it turned out, they'd never get deeper into Michigan territory again. 

At this point the game reached Peak Iowa status, quick stops and punting wars. Michigan went three-and-out again, a tough ball for Colston Loveland incomplete on 3rd & short, and Tommy Doman drilled a punt that pinned Iowa at their own 9. Predictably, Iowa responded with a three-and-out of their own, Tory Taylor uncorking his own masterful punt enabled by Morgan not catching it in the air. The ball bounced closer to midfield and then rolled some 30 yards before being downed at the Michigan 19, a 67 yard bomb(!). The next Michigan drive went alright, moving out past the Michigan 35 when JJ McCarthy found Colston Loveland running wide open over the middle of the field. JJ delivered a perfect ball, hitting Loveland in the hands in stride. If Loveland catches the ball, it is a huge gain deep into Iowa territory... unfortunately, Loveland did not catch it and Michigan punted. 

[Patrick Barron]

Time was now ticking down in the half, under a minute to go. Iowa couldn't muster a two-minute drill, a prompt defensive stop from the Wolverines slamming the door, but Taylor's strong punt flipped the field again. Set back on their own 26 with only 16 seconds left, Michigan was in an uphill climb to get points before halftime. Donovan Edwards broke a long run to get them out to the 43, but McCarthy was sacked again and the Wolverines headed into halftime up 10-0. Not great, but a seemingly insurmountable (indeed it was) lead having been built up. 

Michigan got the ball out of halftime and started to get a bit of offensive rhythm before a holding call on Roman Wilson set them back. The senior receiver made up for it, however, when McCarthy delivered him a fine ball on 3rd & 10 to get into Iowa territory. For the first time all game, Michigan decided to spruce it up on offense and dialed up a reverse to Cornelius Johnson, which was perfectly called, two blockers for two defenders with Johnson running behind. Loveland and Drake Nugent were the two blockers, but neither blocked anyone and the play was stuffed. On the next play, McCarthy nearly threw an interception, dropped by Iowa LB Nick Jackson, and the third down play was merely a meek swing pass to Donovan Edwards. Michigan punted and Doman pinned Iowa at their own 6. 

That field position ended up being hugely consequential when a blitzing Mike Sainristil hit Deacon Hill as he was getting ready to throw and the bar was jarred free. At the time, it was thought to be a pass attempt (nearly intercepted by Michigan's Kenneth Grant), dropping onto the ground incomplete. However, upon further review, it was determined to be a fumble, with a clear recovery by Michigan's Josh Wallace, who wisely scooped up the ball while all other players thought the play was over. Iowa offensive coordinator and college football court jester Brian Ferentz erupted in fury at the replay decision, being given an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. The takeaway + penalty set Michigan up at the Iowa six yard line and on their first opportunity, Blake Corum carried it into the end zone for a touchdown. 17-0 Wolverines. 

 

[Patrick Barron]

With a three score lead in hand and the depravity of the Iowa offense opposing them, Michigan had the game won by this point. The Hawkeyes would put together their first drive that notched two first downs on the next possession, getting into Michigan territory, but Deacon Hill's 4th & 1 sneak was stuffed at the Michigan 44. The Wolverines took the ball and drove into Iowa territory, JJ McCarthy's legs featuring for the first time, but the drive stalled inside the Iowa 30. They sent James Turner back out there and he converted on a 46 yard field goal attempt. 20-0 Michigan. 

The rest of the game was just the same as what had happened beforehand. Iowa continued to be inept on offense, Michigan continued to be vanilla and moderately disappointing on offense. Michigan's defense forced another turnover when Braiden McGregor strip-sacked Deacon Hill, recovered by Kenneth Grant. The Wolverine offense didn't make much of that opportunity due to another brutal drop by a TE, this time AJ Barner at the Iowa five yard line, and James Turner made his third field goal. 

Iowa drove into Michigan territory for their second time all game, but again failed on 4th down (this time on another PBU by McBurrows). Michigan began to insert backups on the offensive line as Blake Corum rushed them into Iowa territory, setting up a forth and final Turner field goal. This was his most impressive, a 50 yarder that split the uprights and made the final score 26-0. A 4th down sack by Derrick Moore finished off the final Hawkeye drive and Michigan then did the kneel downs. For as iffy as the offense looked, the Wolverines had won by 26, covered the spread, and won a Big Ten Championship. Not too bad. 

[AFTER THE JUMP: takes and rankings debate]

[Patrick Barron]

It's difficult to know exactly what to make of this game, other than that Iowa's offense is indeed wretched and their defense is indeed excellent. The Hawkeyes were as advertised and Michigan won by a margin many predicted pre-game. Still, there were a number of things to clean up for Michigan's offense, the most notable of which being drops by the tight ends. Michigan could have scored well into the 30s if Loveland and Barner catch two balls that they normally bring in. Not much else to say there, other than flukey results. The offensive line's effort was concerning, but it seemed to be the regular starters getting abused, not the injury replacements. Ohio State has an excellent defensive front and Michigan fared much better up front in that one. Therefore, I'm not exactly sure what to say. 

McCarthy was rock solid but didn't take many chances. I wrote in my scouting pieces before the game that Michigan would need to pepper in deception and trickery to crack the Iowa offense opened but they largely opted not to, presumably keeping their best plays in the bag for more competitive games. Putting Peyton O'Leary on the field for several snaps at WR early on seemed to suggest that Michigan wasn't taking this game too seriously. I can't blame them, but it is a reason why the offensive effort looked sluggish. 213 yards on 3.3 YPP is by far the worst offensive output of the season. 

On the flip side, the defense was as dominant as you'd expect against an offense as bad as Iowa. They held Iowa to 155 yards on 56 plays, for a 2.8 YPP clip. They forced three turnovers, one when the Hawkeyes were in scoring position for what turned out to be the only time all game, the other two deep in Iowa territory that resulted in 10 points. The defensive line dominated Iowa's offensive line (3 sacks, held Iowa to 1.5 YPC) and the secondary dominated Iowa's passing game (Deacon Hill was 18/32 at 3.8 Y/A). Every single player on the defense played well and Michigan pitched their second shutout of the season in the process.

 

[Patrick Barron]

On special teams James Turner was yet again fantastic. After making three FGs last week, he made four tonight, several of them challenging kicks. Tommy Doman averaged 42 yards per punt and pinned Iowa inside the 10 twice. One shank was unfortunate, but he was good. Similarly, Semaj Morgan's electric return will be remembered for the ages, but his decision not to catch the Taylor punt in the first half possibly cost the Wolverines some points via the field position change. As always, there are things to work on. 

Michigan is now 13-0 for the second consecutive season and were 12-1 at this point two years ago. They have won 25 consecutive B1G games (regular season and B1G title games) and are the B1G Champions for the third consecutive season. This is the first time Michigan has won three titles in a row since 1988-1992 under Bo Schembechler and Gary Moeller. The program has reached heights not touched in several decades, but still has one more goal to reach. 

The trophy presentation after the game merits brief discussion. Jim Harbaugh, back on the sideline after his B1G-imposed suspension, was put face-to-face with the man who suspended him, conference commissioner Tony Petitti. Petitti handed the trophy to the injured Zak Zinter, as Harbaugh wanted, but then quickly slinked into the background before Harbaugh stepped forward. It was a cowardly moment that will certainly be widely discussed in the coming days, painfully on brand for the man who suspended Harbaugh by leaking the story to ESPN before notifying the coach himself, then doing so while the team was on a plane, less than 24 hours before a game. Petitti's performance tonight only confirmed that he is a feckless, weak, and petty commissioner, nothing but an empty suit unprepared and incapable of handling the difficult business of running the conference. 

[Patrick Barron]

At 13-0 and the B1G Champions, the Michigan Wolverines will be in the College Football Playoff. As will the 13-0 Washington Huskies, who defeated Oregon last night. Both of these teams were top 3 in last week's rankings and will be when the rankings are unveiled tomorrow morning. The remaining two spots are up for grabs in what is the most fascinating debate in College Football Playoff history, the four-team field going out in its most controversial fashion. Florida State, ranked 4th this past week, won the ACC Championship Game with their third string QB starting thanks to suffocating defense over a top 15 Louisville team. They are 13-0 and everything about how the CFP has operated to date suggests they will be in. 

It is possible the 'Noles could be left out, but it is more likely that they will be in and the last spot will come down to 12-1 Texas, the Big 12 champions, and 12-1 Alabama, the SEC champions. Despite the excellent seasons that 12-1 Georgia and 11-1 Ohio State had, both will be going to irrelevant New Year's Six games. Texas seemingly holds the edge on Alabama by having the head-to-head win, in Tuscaloosa by two scores, back in September. They have led Alabama in the rankings all season and did what they had to today, blowing a top 25 Oklahoma State team out of the water. Alabama, on the contrary, notched a huge upset win over Georgia, the previous #1 team. The argument for Texas getting in is that the games matter and they have a H2H road win over the team they're competing against, having looked excellent the last three weeks down the stretch. The argument for Alabama is that the SEC is the best conference (don't check their non-conference record this year) and they beat Georgia, who hadn't lost in two calendar years. 

Most people on this site, your author included, believe that Texas and FSU should be in and Alabama, and therefore the SEC, should be left out. Whether the committee has the guts to do so, remains to be seen. Michigan's matchup for the College Football Playoff is thus up in the air at this point in time. They will be either #1 or #2, more likely #1 but I do think that Washington has a strong case for the top spot based on their resume. The Huskies will take the other spot of the top two, and then #3 and #4 will be two of those three teams I mentioned. Michigan is more likely than not to play in the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day, but the Sugar Bowl is a possibility if Washington gets the top spot in the rankings. Who it will be against is anyone's guess... and we've got until noon EST to wait.