Most chaotic possibilities coming out of Championship Weekend
By Zach Bigalke
Iowa upsets Michigan in Indianapolis to eliminate the Big Ten
When Michigan toppled Ohio State at the Big House on Thanksgiving weekend, it put the Wolverines into the Big Ten championship game for the first time since the conference expanded beyond 11 teams. One more win in Indianapolis and Jim Harbaugh’s crew completes their transformation from Buckeye punching bag into College Football Playoff contender.
The selection committee has loved the Wolverines all season long. The committee placed Michigan ahead of a Michigan State team that dealt them their only loss and did so even when both programs sported identical one-loss records.
Wisconsin’s loss to Minnesota in their rivalry game opened the door for Iowa to get their chance against the Wolverines. The Hawkeyes have one of the most complete defenses in the country, ranking in the top 10 in both opponent pass efficiency and rushing yards allowed. Michigan will be forced to fight for every single yard on Saturday against the Hawkeyes, and we could see a low-scoring slugfest.
If the game plays out that way, it really opens the door for Iowa. Kirk Ferentz’s team is 4-0 in games decided by a single score this season, and they could snag away a surprise Big Ten championship if the game ends up as a defensive struggle. Should that happen, a big chaos boulder will come rolling down the mountain at the selection committee.