Michigan Player Decition.
Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Roman Wilson (1), Michigan Wolverines running back Donovan Edwards (7) and Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) celebrate a successful trick play as Michigan hosts Ohio State at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 25 2023.Jacob Hamilton | jhamilt3@mlive.com.
Michigan is aiming for its third consecutive Big Ten championship when they travel to Indianapolis. Since sharing it with the Wolverines in 2004, Iowa is looking for its first. In the penultimate season of the East vs. West Big Ten championship format, the two teams square off on Saturday night.
Very few outside of Iowa City are expecting a close matchup Saturday. The undefeated and second-ranked Wolverines have won 24 straight Big Ten games and finished the 2023 regular season top-15 in scoring offense and No. 1 in scoring defense, allowing just 10.3 points per game. The Hawkeyes (10-2) also have a top-five defense but rank dead last in total offense, mustering 246.3 yards per game.
Only two of their wins were by more than 10 points, while three of their last four were by three or fewer points. Iowa has played without starting quarterback and former Wolverine Cade McNamara since Sept. 30, while former Michigan tight end Erick All, who also is out with a season-ending injury, leads the team in receiving yards despite missing the past five games.
It’s no surprise Michigan is more than a three-touchdown favorite coming off a 30-26 win over Ohio State to cap its second straight undefeated regular season. It is one win away from securing a third straight trip to the College Football Playoff. Head coach Jim Harbaugh also will be returning to the sidelines after serving a three-game suspension.
