Week 14 of 2023 College football The season continues Saturday with a huge matchup between No. 2 Michigan and No. 17 Iowa in the Big Ten Football Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The game kicks off at 8pm ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app.
Michigan is undefeated for the second straight regular season and is looking to win the conference for the third straight year, which would send it to the College Football Playoff for the third straight year. The Wolverines are likely in position to secure a No. 1 overall ranking in the final CFP poll after losing to No. 1 Georgia earlier Saturday. The team also brought back coach Jim Harbaugh, who has been suspended for the past three games.
Meanwhile, Iowa State is looking to avenge the last time these two teams met for the Big Ten title in 2021, when Michigan won 42-3. The Hawkeyes made their way to Indianapolis despite their continued struggles on offense, posting a 10-2 regular season record.
Here are the most important moments!
No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 17 Iowa
Force another fumble
Despite taking a 20-0 lead into the fourth quarter, Michigan’s defense wouldn’t stop playing. Braiden McGregor came from Deacon Hill’s blindside and knocked the ball out of the Iowa quarterback’s hands, forcing a fumble that returned the ball to Michigan at the Hawkeyes’ 15-yard line.
The Wolverines took advantage of a forced fumble a few plays later, kicking a field goal to go up 23-0.
Michigan is still scoring
The Wolverines began to put the game out of reach in the third quarter. After getting a 4th down stop, Michigan added to its lead when James Turner kicked his second field goal of the day. A 46-yard field goal gave the Wolverines a 20-0 lead in the final minute of the third quarter.
The fourth one stopped
Iowa State tried to generate some positive offensive buzz with just over five minutes left in the third quarter, but Michigan denied that was happening. The Wolverines were all over the Hawkeyes’ QB sneak attempt on fourth-and-1 from Michigan’s 44-yard line, which resulted in a turnover on downs.
Blake brings him home
Blake Corum got the Wolverines into the end zone just once after they got the ball back, and they rushed in for a 6-yard score that gave them a 17-0 lead. The touchdown was also the 55th rushing score of Corum’s collegiate career, tying him with Anthony Thomas for the most in program history.
Controversial grope
Mike Sinristil forced his second fumble of the game on Iowa State’s first drive of the second half, but it came in a strange way. The Michigan defensive back took off and hit Hill as he was about to throw the ball, causing the ball to flutter in the air.
While Michigan nearly intercepted the pass, it still got the ball. A review of replays determined that Sainristil struck Hill’s arm before the quarterback threw a pass, reversing the call on the field. It was also determined that Michigan recovered the ball cleanly, giving the Wolverines possession in the red zone.
The refs ruled Iowa State’s Deacon Hill fumbles and Michigan recovers
Adding to Michigan’s fortune, Iowa State offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz was booed for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, putting the Wolverines on the Hawkeyes’ 6-yard line.
JJ almost gave up on her
The Michigan quarterback threw the ball directly to an Iowa defender who was nearly intercepted on the opening drive of the second half. Although Iowa State did not come up with the interception, it was able to run Michigan’s offense off the field and force a punt.
Sid gets the win!
Sid won a tight battle in Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway at halftime of the Big Ten title game, where he caught 15 bucket passes to earn $100,000 in scholarship money.
Close it
Michigan was looking to sneak in some spots and extend its 10-0 lead heading into halftime. But JJ McCarthy was welcomed back by Iowa’s defense in the backfield, where he was sacked by Logan Lee to end the first half.
Punch out!
As Iowa State had the best field position of the game in the middle portion of the second quarter, the Hawkeyes were threatening to get points. But on third-and-2 from Michigan’s 30-yard line, Mike Sinristel knocked the ball out of Jasion Patterson’s arms, giving the ball back to the Wolverines.
Hockey Falcon JJ McCarthy
Iowa State came up with a big third-down sack for its second straight drive in the second quarter. McCarthy couldn’t find anyone open on the field, and was rushing all over the pocket before falling while being chased.
The third was dismissed
Deontae Craig stepped up with Michigan facing third-and-12 early in the second quarter, coming up with a big sack to end the Wolverines’ drive and give the ball back to his team.
Blake feels great
It didn’t take long for Blake Corum to get into the end zone. On the second play of the drive, Blake Corum ran down the gut for a 2-yard score, giving the Wolverines a 10-0 lead.
What a comeback!
Michigan’s biggest play in the first quarter came on its special teams. After forcing another Iowa penalty, Semaj Morgan moved and ran right up the middle, seeing daylight ahead of him. An Iowa State 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.
Semaj Morgan’s ELECTRIC 87-yard return sets up TD for Blake Corum as Michigan extends lead over Iowa
Take the initiative early
Michigan chose not to go for it on fourth-and-1 from Iowa State’s 17-yard line, deciding to go for the points instead. James Turner connected on a 35-yard field goal to give Michigan a 3-0 lead with over six minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Big pickup
Even after a false start on fourth-and-2, Michigan still elected to go for it on fourth-and-7 from the Iowa 36-yard line on its opening drive. JJ McCarthy helped the Wolverines down first, throwing a dart to Cornelius Johnson for a 10-yard catch.
Zinter comes out for a pregame toss
Zach Zinter joined his fellow Michigan leaders in Saturday’s coin toss after suffering a season-ending leg injury last week.
Michigan won the coin toss and deferred to the second half.
Here comes the difference!
Michigan and Iowa took the field as Charles Woodson helped lead the Wolverines, while George Kittle helped lead the Hawkeyes.
Setting the stage
Michigan guard Zach Zinter, who suffered a broken leg in last week’s win over Ohio State, obviously won’t play Saturday, but he will be on the sideline. He checked in on social media ahead of Saturday’s rush hour.
Joel Klatt, who will be on the call for Saturday’s game, shared why it’s important for Jim Harbaugh to return to Michigan.
Stay tuned for updates!
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