Week 14 of the 2023 college football season continues Saturday with a big matchup between No. 2 Michigan and No. 17 Iowa in the Big Ten Football Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Kickoff is at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app.
Michigan went undefeated for the second straight regular season and hopes to win the conference for the third straight season and advance to the College Football Playoff for the third straight year. The Wolverines are likely in position to earn the No. 1 overall pick in the final CFP poll after No. 1 Georgia lost earlier Saturday. The team also brings head coach Jim Harbaugh back to the sideline after being suspended for the past three games.
Iowa, meanwhile, is seeking revenge for the last time these two teams met for the Big Ten title in 2021, when Michigan won 42-3. The Hawkeyes made it to Indianapolis despite their constant offensive struggles and posted a 10-2 regular season record with their powerful defense.
Here are the top moments!
No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 17 Iowa
Blake brings it home
Blake Corum got the Wolverines into the end zone just one play after they got the ball back and went for a 6-yard score that gave them a 17-0 lead. The touchdown was also the 55th rushing score of Corum’s college career, tying him with Anthony Thomas for the highest touchdown in program history.
A controversial fumble
Mike Sainristil forced his second fumble of the game on Iowa’s first drive of the second half, but it came in nasty fashion. The Michigan defender blitzed and hit Iowa quarterback Deacon Hill as he was about to throw the ball, causing the ball to flap in the air.
While Michigan nearly intercepted the pass, it still got the ball. A replay revealed that Sainristil hit Hill’s arm before the quarterback threw a pass, reversing the call on the field. It was also noted that Michigan recovered the ball cleanly, giving the Wolverines possession in the red zone.
Also contributing to Michigan’s luck was that Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz was whistled for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, which brought the Wolverines to the Hawkeyes’ 6-yard line.
JJ almost gives it away
The Michigan quarterback threw a ball right at an Iowa defender that was nearly intercepted on the first drive of the second half. While Iowa failed to make an interception, it did manage to force Michigan’s offense off the field and force a punt.
Sid takes the win!
Sid won a close fight at the Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway at halftime of the Big Ten title game by completing 15 of his passes and earning $100,000 in scholarship money.
I’ll turn it off
Michigan wanted to score some points before halftime and extend its 10-0 lead. But JJ McCarthy was again greeted in the backfield by the Iowa defense and sacked by Logan Lee at the end of the first half.
Strike out!
With Iowa having the best field position of the game midway through the second quarter, the Hawkeyes threatened to score points. But on third-and-2 from Michigan’s 30-yard line, Mike Sainristil knocked the ball out of Jaziun Patterson’s arms, giving the ball back to the Wolverines.
Hawkeyes Falcon JJ McCarthy
Iowa got a big third-down sack in the second quarter for a second straight drive. Unable to find anyone open downfield, McCarthy climbed all over the pocket before falling as he was chased.
Third and dismissed
Deontae Craig came into the game early in the second quarter when Michigan faced a third-and-12 with a big sack to end the Wolverines’ drive and give his team the ball back in the game.
Blake feels great
It didn’t take long for Blake Corum to reach the end zone. On the second play of the drive, Blake ran right into Corum’s gut for a 2-yard score that gave the Wolverines a 10-0 lead.
What a return!
Michigan’s biggest play in the first quarter came from its special teams. After forcing another Iowa punt, Semaj Morgan made a play and ran right up the middle when he saw daylight in front of him. An Iowa defender was eventually able to chase him down, but not before he was pushed out of bounds at the 5-yard line for an 87-yard return.
Take the lead early
Michigan forwent fourth-and-1 from Iowa’s 17-yard line, opting instead to take the points. James Turner hit a 35-yard field goal to give Michigan a 3-0 lead with more than six minutes left in the first quarter.
Big pickup
Even after a false start on fourth-and-2, Michigan still went for fourth-and-7 from Iowa’s 36-yard line on its first drive. JJ McCarthy gave the Wolverines a first down by throwing a dart to Cornelius Johnson for a 10-yard pickup.
Zinter comes out for the pregame throw
Zak Zinter participated in Saturday’s coin toss alongside his fellow Michigan captains after suffering a season-ending leg injury last week.
Michigan won the coin toss and advanced to the second half.
Here come the teams!
Michigan and Iowa took the field, with Charles Woodson helping introduce the Wolverines while George Kittle helped introduce the Hawkeyes.
Setting the stage
Michigan guard Zak Zinter, who broke his leg in last week’s win over Ohio State, obviously won’t play on Saturday but will instead be on the sidelines. He took to social media ahead of Saturday’s primetime event.
Joel Klatt, who will be on hand for Saturday’s game, shared why Jim Harbaugh’s return is important for Michigan.
Stay tuned for updates!
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