Michigan State wins; while Iowa and Nebraska both win 3 point games ahead of Black Friday

Michigan State (10-1, 7-0) claims the Big Ten Legends Division title with a 30-6 win over Northwestern (4-7, 0-7) in Evanston.

Ohio State (11-0, 7-0) clinches the Leaders Divison with a 42-14 win over Indiana (4-7, 2-5) on Senior Day in Columbus.

Wisconsin (9-2, 6-1) beat Minnesota (7-3, 4-3) 20-7 in Minneapolis, while Illinois (4-7, 1-6) finally won a Big Ten game in two years, with a 20-16 road win at Purdue (1-10, 0-7).

Smiles, as Iowa senior
linebackers Anthony
Hitchens and Christian
Kirksey celebrate win

Iowa rebounds from a 21-7 deficit at halftime and over came four turnovers to pull out a 24-21 win over Michigan (6-5, 3-4) on Senior Day at Kinnick Stadium.

Nebraska takes over in overtime in Happy Valley to defeat Penn State (6-5, 3-4) 23-21 on a 42 yard field goal by senior placekicker Pat Smith.



Who will win Heroes Game III?



Iowa (7-4, 4-3) closes out the regular season Nov. 29, facing Nebraska (8-3, 5-2) in the annual Heroes Game beginning at 11 a.m. (CT) in Lincoln on ABC at 11 a.m.

Iowa hasn't beat Nebraska, since 1981, when the Hawkeyes opened the season with a 10-7 upset win over the Cornhuskers. Nebraska was coached by then head coach Dr. Tom Osborne.

In two games played in the Big Ten Conference, Nebraska has won 20-7 in Lincoln in 2011 and 13-7 in Iowa City in 2012.

Kirk Ferentz reflecting on the process, since last year's loss vs. Nebraska to finish 4-8.  Ferentz was asked the following question after the 24-21 win over  Michigan. Talk about doubling your win total from a year ago. How did the program get here from there?



Iowa's Kirk Ferentz is the dean
of Big Ten head coaches in his
15th season in Iowa City



"Well, we've been taking it a step at a time, a week at a time. It all started right after the season when we met. We figured we'd get plenty of suggestions, plenty of critiques from the outside, so we didn't spend too much time on that. But our attitude is we're going to go back to work and try to do what we do, do it better, do it with more quality, and just see if we couldn't improve."



"Again, I've said it many times, I continue to give to credit to our senior class. They've done a wonderful job, and our juniors have been great too. We have a lot of guys that act like seniors in that junior class. They've set the tempo. It's one thing to walk into a meeting and talk about what we're supposed to do, but to win and to be a good team, it's all about the players taking and going with it. And this team has had ownership. They've been really committed. They've worked hard."

"That's probably the reason I'm happiest that we won today. It was a nice payback for all the things that they've done where people don't see the things that they do and the hard work they put in and all of that. I know their players do the same thing, but it's all about the players, I guess, is what I'm trying to say. It's all about the older players showing the younger guys the way. Can't say enough about these seniors and juniors, they've done a good job and stayed the course."

Other Big Ten Games, which will be played November 30th:

- Ohio State at Michigan

- Penn State at Wisconsin

- Purdue at Indiana

- Northwestern at Illinois

- Minnesota at Michigan State

Iowa storms back for a 24-21 win over Michigan on Senior Day at Kinnick

Iowa City, Iowa -- It wasn't for a Big Ten Legends Division title today, that went to Michigan State, with a win at Northwestern to remain undefeated.



Iowa 24, Michigan 21

But, the Iowa Hawkeyes overcame four turnovers and a 21-7 deficit at halftime to win on Senior Day over Michigan 24-21 at Kinnick Stadium. It is the first time in Iowa history, the Hawkeyes have beat Michigan three-straight times at Kinnick.  A wonderful accomplishment for a 16 member senior class playing their final game at Kinnick today.

Kirk Ferentz moves
to 6-5 lifetime
over Michigan



 "It started with the defense, it kept us alive," said Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, who is now 6-5 lifetime vs. Michigan. "Typically, you're not going to win when you lose that lopsidedly in the turnover battle." In Iowa's four losses this season, the Hawkeyes had been negative in each of those games, when it came to turnovers.

After taking over at its own 34 with 10:56 remaining, the Hawkeyes used a nine-play, 50-yard drive to take its first lead of the game. Sophomore Jake Rudock opened the series with consecutive completions to sophomore Tevaun Smith for 21 and 5 yards to move the ball to the Michigan 40.



RB Mark Weisman
lead Iowa with 88 yards
and a TD on 17 carries

Sophomore Jordan Canzeri followed with a pair of rushes for 5 and 8 yards to the 35 before junior Mark Weisman bulldozed his way for a 4-yard gain to pick up a first down at the 23. Iowa pounded its way to the 17, but Weisman was stopped on third-and-2 from the 15, setting up senior Mike Meyer's 34-yard field goal to give the Hawkeyes a 24-21 lead.

"That was a great drive," said Ferentz. "That third down call of Jake's and the check was a big play. I can't say enough about Mike Meyer, he was not having a great day, and we didn't get the one down on the second one.

"He nailed it. I never had any doubt. Mike's such a tremendous guy, so I am really happy for him as well."

Michigan moved 39 yards into Iowa territory before the Hawkeyes came away with a crucial turnover -- their first of the day. Wolverine quarterback Devin Gardner connected with Jeremy Jackson on third-and-8 to move the ball to midfield. Two plays later, Michigan executed a screen to perfection, and it went for a 13-yard gain to Fitzgerald Toussaint to the 38, putting the Iowa defense on its heels.



Iowa LB Anthony Hitchens
made the play of the game
stripping the football out of
Michigan QB Devin Gardner hands

On second-and-11 from the 39, Gardner took off toward the Michigan sideline on a designed quarterback draw. He gained eight yards on the rush before senior linebacker Anthony Hitchens stripped and recovered a fumble at the 31, giving the Hawkeyes possession with 2:12 remaining.

"It couldn't have come at a better time," said Ferentz of the fumble. "Our defense played aggressively all day. That was a byproduct of a couple of guys playing hard there."

Weisman burst through a hole on the left side on first down for 22 yards, and three plays later, Rudock sealed the victory with a 12-yard completion to senior tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz on third-and-8, allowing the Hawkeyes to run out the clock with a victory formation.

"I don't want to say it's a riskless play, but if it's not there, you throw it out of bounds," said Ferentz on the game-sealing completion. "It was well-executed and a big, big play. It was a nice way to end the game."


Iowa's defense was dominant in the game. The Hawkeyes limited the Wolverines to 158 total yards -- a season-low by an Iowa opponent -- and 10 first downs. Entering the second half with a 21-7 deficit, the defense limited Michigan to three first downs, 45 yards, and most importantly, zero points.



Senior Iowa LB James Morris attempts to take down the Michigan quarterback

Iowa's senior linebacker trio of James Morris, Christian Kirksey and Hitchens combined for 22 tackles, seven tackles for loss and a forced fumble and recovery. Junior Carl Davis also had a career-best eight tackles with four for loss and half a sack.
"They are good players," said Michigan head coach Brady Hoke. "To me, those three are what makes that defense go."  Michigan has lost 17 of the last 25 games in the Big Ten on the road.

Offensively, Iowa finished with 407 yards of total offense, piling up 168 rushing yards on 44 attempts and throwing for 239 yards. Rudock was 19-of-30 for 239 yards and two touchdowns, while throwing three interceptions. Weisman (17 carries, 88 yards, one touchdown) and Canzeri (12 carries, 50 yards) combined for 138 yards and a score. Smith finished with five catches for a career-high 97 yards with one touchdown.

Gardner finished 13-of-28 for 98 yards with two touchdowns, while Derrick Green paced the Michigan rushing attack with 11 carries for 23 yards. Wide receiver Jeremy Gallon had six catches for 47 yards and a touchdown.

After trailing 21-7 at the half, the Iowa offense gave the Hawkeyes the start it needed on the opening series of the second half, cutting the lead in half with a three-play, 70-yard scoring drive. Canzeri opened the 12-yard burst up the middle on first down to move the ball to the Iowa 42. Two plays later, Rudock found Smith on a deep-post where he made a snow-coned catch and out-ran the Michigan defense for a 55-yard score, making the score 21-14.

Series-after-series defensively, Iowa was up to the challenge. The Hawkeyes forced three-straight three-and-outs in the third quarter, keeping the field position battle in Iowa's favor. Following a four-play Wolverine drive that result in minus one yard, Iowa took over at its own 40 and drove 60 yards for a game-tying score.

Rudock opened the drive with a 10-yard completion to Smith to midfield before connecting with Canzeri for a 17-yard completion out of the backfield to move to the Michigan 33. The key play on the series came on third-and-9 from the 32, where Iowa caught the Wolverines off guard with a 8-yard Damon Bullock rush to the 24. On fourth-and-1, fullback Adam Cox opened a gapping hole for Weisman to pick up the first down before catching a play-action pass out of the backfield for 11 yards to the 9.

On the next play, Cox opened another giant crease in the Wolverine defense and Weisman carried Raymon Taylor into the end zone for a 9-yard touchdown, tying the game at 21.

Turnovers were the story of the first half, as two Iowa interceptions led to a pair of Michigan touchdowns. The Wolverines picked up a single first down in the opening quarter (via an Iowa penalty) and gained just 19 yards of total offense, but the game was tied at seven.

On Iowa's first offensive play of the game, Rudock rolled to his right off play action where Jake Ryan hit Rudock as he released the attempt. The ball popped up and was snagged by defensive end Brennen Beyer, who walked into the end zone to give Michigan a 7-0 lead less than two minutes into the game.

Iowa drove 51 yards over nine plays on the ensuing possession, but came away empty-handed. Weisman rushed for 11 yards on first down before Rudock found Fiedorowicz for 25 yards along the Michigan sidelines to move the ball the visiting 33. The Hawkeyes moved the chains a second time with a 4-yard completion to Jacob Hillyer on third-and-4. The drive stalled in the red zone, and Meyer missed a 36-yard field goal wide right.

A three-and-out courtesy of the Hawkeye defense and a 19-yard Michigan punt gave the Hawkeyes strong starting field position at the Michigan 45, and Iowa capitalized. Even with the drive starting with a 15-yard clipping penalty, Rudock found Kevonte Martin-Manley for 18 yards on first-and-23 before Canzeri and Rudock followed with runs of 10 and 19 yards to the 11.

On third-and-4 from the 5, Rudock hooked up with Fiedorowicz for a 5-yard touchdown pass when he came across the formation and made a sliding catch for the score to tie the game at seven. The drive took seven plays and covered 45 yards.

Even with a stagnant offense with four-straight three-and-outs, Michigan's defense set up a second score early in the second quarter. Iowa used a pair of Weisman rushes of 5 and 20 yards to move away from the shadow of its own goal line to the 28.

On third-and-8 from the 30, Michigan disguised a blitz, but dropped into coverage, and it got the best of Rudock, as Blake Countess intercepted the attempt directed at Martin-Manley at the Iowa 41 and returned it 13 yards to the 28.

Six straight rushes took the Wolverines to the 1 before Gardner rolled to his right and stiff-armed Tanner Miller before flicking a pass to tight end A.J. Williams for the score to give Michigan a 14-7 lead with 8:31 left in the half.

The Wolverines pushed the lead to 21-7 with a 10-play, 47-yard drive that started with 3:24 remaining. The series was the Gardner, Gallon show. The pair hooked up three times for 35 yards, including a 9-yard touchdown hookup on third-and-goal from the nine.



First-year starting QB Jake Rudock,
only a sophomore, overcame
3 interceptions to throw 2 TDs
over Michigan on Senior Day

Senior Jordan Cotton gave the Hawkeyes some life with a 64-yard kickoff return to the Michigan 39 on Iowa's final drive before half. Rudock connected with Damon Bullock for 17 yards to the 22 on first down and a 3-yard rush to the 19. Iowa came away with zero points when Connor Kornbrath couldn't get down the hold on a field goal attempt and fumbled on the final play of the half.

Iowa (7-4, 4-3 B1G Legends) closes out the regular season Nov. 29, facing Nebraska in the annual Heroes Game beginning at 11 a.m. (CT) in Lincoln, Neb.

The road home for Michigan (7-4, 3-4 B1G Legends) will not get any easier, since Ohio State (11-0, 7-0 B1G Leaders) comes to Ann Arbor for the annual rivalry between these two storied programs next Saturday.

Week 13: Senior Day at Kinnick Stadium as Iowa host Michigan

Iowa City, Iowa --Nine years ago, both Michigan and Iowa were at the top of the Big Ten Conference. But today, Iowa and Michigan are both headed to a bowl game without the opportunity to win a Big Ten title. Each has work ahead in the coming season(s), if they plan to battle for a Big Ten division title and a shot for the Big Ten Championship.



It is Senior Day for Iowa at Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes (6-4, 3-3 B1G Legends) host Michigan (7-3, 3-3 B1G Legends).

Iowa has 16 seniors who have contributed that will be introduced around 10:45 a.m. at Kinnick Stadium, ahead of the Iowa-Michigan game, which will kickoff at 11 a.m. on the Big Ten Network.

Senior members of the Iowa football program include DE Dominic Alvis, LG Conor Boffeli, KR/WR Jordan Cotton, TE C.J. Fiedorowicz, LB Palmer Foster, WLB Anthony Hitchens, OLB Christian Kirksey, LS Casey Kreiter, CB B.J. Lowery, T/G Nolan MacMillan, PK Mike Meyer, FS Tanner Miller, MLB James Morris, WR Don Shumpert, ST gunner/CB Gavin Smith, and RT Brett Van Sloten. All senior members of the Iowa football program will be recognized during pregame ceremonies.

The Hawkeyes are moving upward, after hitting bottom in 2012, with an awful 4-8 record. However, the final two games (Michigan, @ Nebraska) will determine if the climb is significant or not?

There are fans who remain restless in Iowa City, which is quite popular throughout the Big Ten these days, especially in Lincoln, with Nebraska coach Bo Pelini. Talk in Ann Arbor could get a little salty in the coming weeks, as well, if the Wolverines fail to finish strong?

The Iowa senior class is looking to finish like the senior classes of 2001, 2003 and 2008. Those teams helped  establish momentium for bigger things, such as Big Ten titles and BCS appearances.

No Big Ten title is on the line for this senior class. 

But, they have an opportunity to finish with a winning record for their third season in four years. Another opportunity to win a bowl game. 

Iowa last bowl win came in the 2010 Insight Bowl over Missouri. The Hawkeyes lost the 2011 Insight Bowl vs. Oklahoma.  For Michigan, they will be headed for a fourth bowl game in four years, but it will not be a BCS bowl, like 2011.

Michigan hit bottom in 2008 with a 3-8 record. After a 5-7 and 7-6 season under the head coach Rich Rodriquez, the Wolverines had seen enough. They made a change. Today, Rodriquez has Arizona at 6-4, hosting Oregon today at 2:30 p.m. on ABC/ESPN2 in a big game.

Brady Hoke entered in 2011 as head coach.  He is a former Wolverines assistant coach, who is now in his third season at the helm at Michigan. It is Hoke's third stop, as a head coach, after six years at Ball State, his alma mater, and two seasons at San Diego State.

After 11-2 his first season in 2011, then 8-5 in 2012, the Wolverines are 7-3 heading into Kinnick today. A loss at Iowa, could continue a three year slide under Hoke. Even in 2011, one of his losses was to Iowa, as the Hawkeyes defeated Michigan 24-16 holding the Wolverines on 4th and goal on the final play.

Last week, the Wolverines won an important B1G road game in overtime at Northwestern. The Michigan program has only won eight B1G road games in the last 24 conference road games.

Two weeks ago, the Wolverines lost their first home game in three years under Brady Hoke, when Nebraska beat Michigan in Ann Arbor 17-13.

Iowa heads to Lincoln to face the 7-3 Cornhuskers on Black Friday, but first things first, the Hawkeyes host Senior Day at Kinnick Stadium vs. the Wolverines, who have been struggling on offense, since beginning November off a bye week. Iowa's future opponent, Nebraska, is at 6-4 Penn State at 2:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network following this game.

The Hawkeyes are coming off their second bye week ahead of Michigan.

Will the bye week help Iowa or will the Hawkeyes respond, like Michigan did to open November?

Did Michigan's B1G road win at Northwestern spark momentinum for the Wolverines?

Welcome to the battle in the trenches at Kinnck Stadium, as Michigan head coach Brady Hoke shared his throughts this week ahead of today's game:

"For those of you who have covered it for years, you know it's going to be a physical line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. I think they've only let four rushing touchdowns all year. They are averaging 197 yards rushing the football. They'll be physical at the point of attack. They are not going to be flashy, and you know that going in. Both of our fronts have got to be physical -- and from an offensive standpoint, target things right. From a defensive standpoint we've got to get with the stretch plays and zone plays, as much up the field penetration as we can."

Iowa is a young team, but Michigan is even younger one.

Iowa does have 15 key seniors leading the way on Senior Day at Kinnick. Michigan's Senior Day will be next Saturday hosting Ohio State, who haven't lost a B1G, since 2011 in Ann Arbor.

Neither team can afford to look ahead to next week.

So, who wins the battle in the trenches on Saturday? With today's cold weather and windy conditions, the running game will likely play a huge role.

Who leads Iowa's rushing attack vs. Michigan's on Saturday?

Michigan found a complement to fifth-year senior Fitz Troussaint last week at Northwestern. Troussaint missed the game with a concussion and freshmen Derrick Green and De'Veon Smith stepped up for a combined 120 rushing yards in his absence.

Their production created a situation similar to Iowa's three-headed backfield. But, unlike Iowa, there is no question who will lead Michigan's ground game.

"One thing we know is they have an outstanding quarterback," Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker said Thursday after practice. "Devin Gardner is a really good player. He's elusive and he can throw the ball. The three running backs they have are very good, and they're talented at the receiver. It will definitely be a challenge. They have a good offense and we know they'll play hard."

Michigan is coming off a grinding victory on the road. The Wolverines were kept out of the endzone for four quarters at Northwestern, but an improbable field goal as time expired sent the game to overtime. Touchdowns weren't a problem from there.

Gardner hit freshman TE Jake Butt for an 11-yard touchdown in the first overtime, then he rushed for a 5-yard score in the third overtime. He also converted the two-point attempt.

"Obviously we want to contain him (Gardner) and keep him under control," said Parker. "You look at couple teams and they've put some pressure on him. That doesn't always fit our system, so it's going to be a challenge to try to contain him."


Sophomore DE Drew Ott
is growing in the
Hawkeyes D-Line

That containment starts up front and works from the outside in. Sophomore Drew Ott has started every game for Iowa this year at left end, and junior Mike Hardy is in line to make his fourth straight start in place of senior Dominic Alvis at right end.

The pair combined for 4.5 tackles for loss in Iowa's win at Purdue. Also, Ott has 2.5 sacks this season.

"Mike Hardy is a tough, smart, hard-nosed kid," said Parker. "He continues to improve, and when young guys have an opportunity, it's a chance to just keep getting better. I think that's what he's doing. He's taking advantage of the situation."

Iowa isn't a blitz team, but Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Mattison is willing to use the blitz. As Coach Hoke suggested, Michigan wants pentatration to stop Iowa's running attack.

Last year, Iowa fell 42-17 at Michigan in Ann Arbor. So, what will Iowa offensive coordinator Greg Davis dial up on offense, in the final game for the Hawkeye Seniors? Last year, he used the tight ends and running backs in the passing game. With the weather, can Iowa dial up enough balance on offense?

The Hawkeyes are 1-2 at Kinnick this season in B1G play. The offense is 2-1 on the road in B1G play, so can the Hawkeyes finally get the offense on track as they close out the home slate of games?

The Hawkeyes have scored 23 points or more in each of their road games this season.  But, like Michigan in critical games, Iowa has been held to too many field goals or scoreless at times at Kinnick this season. Neither team is outstanding in red zone offense or defense. Iowa's pass defense has been vunerable to the big score.

Iowa's offensive line is the best at protecting the quarterback. Michigan has struggled protecting Gardiner, which has lead to poor third down situations or poor decisions.

Iowa sophomore quarterback Jake Rudock, in his first season of play, leads Iowa in rushing touchdowns, with five.  For the season, but Toiussaint and Gardner for Michigan both have double digit rushing touchdowns.



Can Iowa's three-headed running back group get on track today? Juniors Mark Weisman and Damon Bullock lead the offense for the season.  But in the past two games, sophomore RB Jordan Canzeri has lead the offense.

He nearly doubled his season rushing totals in Iowa's 38-14 win at Purdue.Canzeri rushed for a career-high 165 yards and one touchdown on 20 carries against the Boilermakers. He entered the game with 173 rushing yards on 29 carries. Canzeri averages 6.9 yards per carry in 2013, a number that ranks third in the Big Ten, and 26th nationally.


Last week at Northwestern, Gardner could have been a victim for multiple interceptions, but the Northwestern defense had a case of the drops.  On the season, Gardner has 15 touchdown passes, but 11 interceptions.  Rudock has 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Who will manage the game better at quarterback?

Of course, the play of the offensive line will be very important. Michigan senior left tackle Taylor Lewan anchors the Michgian offensive line. In six B1G games, the Michigan offensive line has allowed 25 sacks for minus 185 yards. Iowa's offensive line leads the conference in protecting their quarterback. 

Who wins the turnover game at Kinnick?  Iowa has lost the turnover game in each of their four losses.  Iowa's opponents are a combined 37-3 in the Hawkeye losses this year (Northern Illinois, Michigan State, Ohio State and Wisconsin). Iowa is 5-0 winning the turnover game.

Both offensive coordinators have leaned on the tight end at times. Each team have depth at the tight end position.

Specail teams is another area to watch. Last week, the field goal team saved the day with an outstanding last second kick to push the game into overtime. The Wolverines special teams have been stronger than Iowa's over the course of the Big Ten season.

It's Senior Day, and seniors play an important role for Iowa. 

It's Senior Day, how will Iowa's three senior starting linebackers step up in their final day at Kinnick?

This game could go down to the wire, like the 2011 game or the 1990 game, when Iowa pulled off a victory in Ann Arbor. A turnover sealed the game that day, a 24-23 Hawkeye victory.  Could an Iowa senior linebacker step up and lead Iowa to victory this year?

Who steps up and plays physical today at Kinnick?

Our Pick: Iowa 23, Michigan 13

Note: This could be the coldest day in Kinnick Stadium history. Fifty years ago today, the Senior Day game at Kinnick Stadium was cancelled between Notre Dame and Iowa, due to the assaination of President John. F. Kennedy. Iowa has never beat Michigan three staight at home.

Week 12: Bye week for Iowa and Minnesota; while remaining Big 10 square off in league play

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- It's November, and in college football, that means teams are tired and sore. But the good ones still find ways to win.

"If you don't you're not going to be successful," the Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz said Wednesday at a gathering with media in the Hayden Fry Football Complex. "Our goal has always been to be a championship-caliber team. I'm not sure we can be the Big Ten Champions this year, but you're always building toward something or you're taking away from something."

Iowa (6-4, 3-3 B1G Legends) and Minnesota (8-2, 4-2 B1G Legends) enjoy a bye week ahead of their final two games, while the remaining ten Big Ten teams face one another in Week 12 of the regular season.

Under Ferentz, the Hawkeyes have had winning months of November in 2008, '07, '05, '04, '03, '02, and 2000. In those seven years, Iowa won 64.4 of all its games (56-31); in years when they were .500 or below in November, the Hawkeyes had a winning percentage of 50.6 (44-43).

"In pro football you better be good in December and in college football if you're going to have a good team you have to win in November," Ferentz said. "We're in that last part of our schedule. What I'm pleased with is since our last bye week we had a four-game block and our guys competed hard in all four games. We have improved as well; is it enough to win the last two? Time will tell."

Since Iowa's last bye following a 26-14 loss to Michigan State at home, the Hawkeyes are 2-2 with wins against Northwestern and Purdue and losses to Ohio State and Wisconsin. The last two regular season games are against Michigan (6-3 overall, 2-3 Big Ten Conference) in Kinnick Stadium on Nov. 23 and at Nebraska (7-2, 4-1) on Nov. 29.

"It's going to be what we do with opportunities, knowing neither game is going to be easy," Ferentz said. "We're playing talented teams."

Thanks to its second bye week of the season, the Hawkeyes will be a little less sore and tired when they host the Wolverines. Ferentz said the team will practice Wednesday and Thursday, take a break Friday and Saturday, and begin game-week preparation Sunday.

Minnesota gets the same opportunity ahead of next Saturday's game hosting Wisconsin. The Golden Gophers final game is at Michigan State on November 30th.

"It's spring ball for us," Ferentz said of the bye week practice schedule. "We're not thinking too much about any opponent right now, but Sunday that will change, so we'll get a one-day jump."

Ferentz said the health of the Hawkeyes is good with the exception of one unnamed player who could be ready by Sunday. That does not include senior defensive lineman Dominic Alvis, whose status will be updated Tuesday. Alvis has not played since Oct. 19.

"He's progressing but he hasn't had any contact yet," Ferentz said of Alvis. "We'll have to wait and see."

Ferentz spent time talking about Iowa's defense, ranked 11th in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in total defense (319.2 yards per game) and 13th in scoring defense (18.7 points per game).

"That's the key element to it and we're quietly getting better each week," Ferentz said. "We have competed hard defensively every game. The guys are working hard, the attitude has been good, and we're playing solid defense. We're making progress and that gives you a chance in any game."

The Hawkeye offense picked it up Nov. 9 at Purdue, gaining 509 yards, 318 on the ground. Sophomore quarterback Jake Rudock has completed at least 50 percent on his pass attempts in all 10 games with five more touchdowns than interceptions.

"We're doing some good things, and 10 games in we know more about our quarterback than we did in preseason," Ferentz said. "We're doing good things subtly, now the big thing is trying to tie it all together and find a way to make more of a push offensively. If we're going to have a chance in these next two games we're going to have to find a way to pull it all together."

Defense wins Championships the old saying goes. Both Iowa and Minnesota need help, if they are going to win a share of the Big Ten Legends division in the final year.

Next year, the Big Ten will realign, so this is the third and final season of the Legends and Leaders. When Maryland and Rutgers join in 2014, the Big Ten will realign to East and West divisions.

In the Legends final season, what could be coined the Legends title game takes place in Lincoln, Nebraska. Michigan State (5-0 B1G Legends) travels to Nebraska (4-1 Big Legends), as the 2011 and 2012 Legends Division winners meet in a key match up.

A Michigan State win will eliminate Iowa and Nebraska from the division title hunt in 2013. A Nebraska win gives Iowa a sliver of hope and puts Nebraska in driver's seat, ahead of a game at Penn State next Saturday.

Michigan (2-3 B1G Legends) and Northwestern (0-5 B1G Legends) are both out of the Legends race, but the Wildcats who host both Michigan teams in back to back weeks need two wins in the coming three weeks to get bowl eligible. The Wolverines are bowl eligible at 6-3, but need to be careful to avoid a major November slide in year three under coach Brady Hoke.

Ohio State is 9-0 and 5-0 in the B1G Leaders. They clearly are in the driver's seat in the other division. The Buckeyes travel to Illinois (0-5 B1G Leaders), who haven't won a Big Ten game over the past 19 games. The Buckeyes have won 13 straight Big Ten games under second-year coach Urban Meyer. 
Dispite the ugly B1G record, the Fighting Illini can become bowl eligible with three straight wins, starting today with Ohio State.

Wisconsin (4-1 B1G Leaders) hosts Indiana (2-3 B1G Leaders), as the three-time defending champs, need help from others with Ohio State. The Badgers would win their third straight division title, if some how they can get the help to leap frog Ohio State. It is not likely, as the Buckeyes face @ Illinois, Indiana and @ Michigan to close out November.

Penn State (2-3 B1G Leaders) hosts Purdue (0-5 B1G Leaders) today in Happy Valley. Both teams are out, but Penn State can continue to be a spoiler with games vs. Nebraska and @ Wisconsin in the final two Saturdays in November.

November will determine who plays in Indianapolis in the third and final Big Ten game between the winners of the Legends and Leaders divisions. The most interesting game would be undefeated Michigan State and Ohio State, if each can win the final three games. Most expect Ohio State to remain undefeated, but the Spartans face games @ Nebraska, @ Northwestern and Senior Day in East Lansing hosting Minnesota.

It should be an interesting close out in November in the Big Ten.

Could the MAC offer College Football an upset on Wednesday night?

Wednesday, November 13th

Ball State at Northern Illinois 7:00 p.m.ESPN2 (HD)

Miami Ohio at Kent State 7:00 p.m. ESPNU (HD)

Game Day: Iowa at Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium

West Lafayette, IN - It is an historic day in West Lafayette, as the Legends and Leaders match up comes to an end for each of these two Big Ten football programs this season. The next time each team plays one another, both Iowa and Purdue will be in the same Big Ten division.

The 2013 season is the final season of the BCS. It also the final go around of the Big Ten division names, Legends and Leaders. Next year, Maryland and Rutgers will join the Big Ten and realignment will bring Iowa and Purdue together as division foes in the new Big Ten realignment. The series had been renewed as cross-division protected rivalry with the creation of the Leaders and Legends divisions in the Big Ten in  2011.

Iowa (5-4, 2-3 B1G Legends) last won in 2011, when Kirk Ferentz last brought his Hawkeyes to West Lafeyette, in a 31-21 victory. Purdue (1-7, 0-4 B1G Leaders) hasn't beaten Iowa at home, since 2007, back then Joe Tiller was still on the sidelines leading the Boilermakers. So, first-year coach Darrell Hazell and his Boilermakers hope to notch win number one in Big Ten play at the expense of Iowa.

It has been a long season for Purdue, with a six game losing streak under Hazell, who enjoyed two seasons at Kent State. Prior to his first head coaching job, Hazell served seven seasons as an offensive assistant at Ohio State, under Jim Tressel.

From 1961 to 1980, the Boilermakers owned this series, winning 20 straight against the Hawkeyes. During Coach Ferentz's first season at Iowa, as first-year offensive line coach, under head coach J. Hayden Fry, the Hawkeyes ended the Purdue win streak and went on to clinch a trip to the Rose Bowl.

Neither, Iowa nor Purdue will be representing the Big Ten in the Rose Bowl in 2013. Likely, Ohio State and Michigan State will play for that honor, though the Spartans have a longer road to clinch in the final four weeks of Big Ten regular season play.

Last season, Iowa went through an awful 4-8 season. This season, a win over Purdue would make Iowa bowl eligible. A loss would likely suggest last year's 27-24 loss to Purdue on Senior Day at Kinnick Stadium wasn't the bottom of the Kirk Ferentz downward slide?

Iowa's artificial biggest rival, Purdue, could foil the Hawkeyes quest to rebound and become bowl eligible? Last year, Purdue's last minute win over Iowa, with a field goal, sparked a Boilermakers three-game run to clinch a bowl bid under former head coach Danny Hope.

This year, there will be no bowl games for the Boilermakers, so Iowa reprsents a step in the building process. For Iowa, a win will represent progress in the rebuilding process, after an ugly 2-6 Big Ten finish in 2012, which included six striaght Big Ten losses.

So, what gives in the 2013 match up between Iowa and Purdue?

Purdue's offense hasn't reached the Red Zone in any of its four Big Ten games, all loses. In Iowa's four losses in 2013, the Hawkeyes have fallen against four Top 25 teams (Northern Illinois, Michigan State, at Ohio State and Wisconsin), leading at halftime in three of the four defeats. Purdue is 0-4 against all four foes Iowa has lost to this season, as well.

QB: Purdue has turned to true freshman Danny Etling, in Week 5 vs. Northern Illinois, when Coach Hazell incerted Etling and pulled fifth-year senior Rob Henry before halftime of the game with the Huskies. Iowa first-year starter, redshirt sophomore Jake Rudock opened the season vs. Northern Illinois. Last week, Rudock was knocked out of the game vs. Wisconsin, so redshirt freshman C.J. Beathard got his first taste of Big Ten football. Iowa has 12 TD passes and 10 interceptions this season, while Purdue's two QBs have combined for seven TDs and 11 interceptions. Who manages the game the best may very well help lead their team to victory on Saturday?

RB: Junior Akeem Hunt leads the Boilermakers in rushing with 316 yards, averaging 3.7 yards a carry. At one time, the Iowa defense, through six games were the only team in the FBS to not allow a touchdown. That mark ended at Ohio State. Iowa goes four deep at running back and they will use some fullback in the power run game. Junior Mark Weisman has played injured the past four games, so junior Damon Bullock has carried more of the load. Earlier in the season, QB Rudock was a dangerous weapon in the red zone, leading Iowa wil five touchdown runs. Iowa was very solid running the football in the Big Ten opener at Minnesota, which ended in a 23-7 win.

A key element of the game will be whether Iowa establishes a solid running game? Who stays ahead on second and third down will be important for both teams, with young quarterbacks.

"At the end of the day, we're better if we're balanced and able to dictate to the defense what we're going to do," Ferentz said at his press conference ahead of this week's Purdue game.

Iowa offensive coordinator Greg Davis has thrown out different approaches each week, with a variety of success on offense.

"Kirk lays out exactly what`s to be expected on the road," said Davis. "We're going to leave tomorrow (Friday) and it's treated like a business trip. It's just about focus and our guys have done a really good job on the road so far."

At Ohio State, Iowa used a lot of three tight end packages. For three quarters, Iowa was very business like taking care of business with the game tied 24-24 at the end of three quarters. The Buckeyes prevailed. Can the Hawkeyes prevail at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday?

Iowa goes five deep at tight end, lead by senior TE C.J. Fiedorowicz, who is second on receptions and leads Iowa with four TD receptions. Iowa has witnessed sophomore WR Tevaun Smith emerge in Big Ten play, especially, as a playmaker in the passing game. Iowa is lead by junior WR Kevonte Martin-Manley as the leading receiver, with 34 catches and two TDs. RB Bullock is a weapon in the passing game. Sophomore TE Jake Duzey and JC WR transfer Damond Powell have combined for explosive TD catches in Big Ten play.

"They do a lot of different things on defense, so our guys will need to be sharp," Davis said. "They'll mix up their coverages. They played Michigan State close only allowing one offensive touchdown. They're a team that is growing defensively."

New OC John Shoop has RB Hunt leading the Boilermakers passing game through the half way point of the Big Ten season for Purdue. Shoop is using using a dual TE set for Purdue after five seasons at North Carolina offensive coordinator and four different stops in the NFL as an assistant. Junior TE Justin Sinz leads the non-backs in receiving with 23 catches, two TDs. True freshman WR Deangelo Yancey leads the wide receivers with 15 catches, 1 TD.

Iowa has six offensive linemen that lead Iowa's balanced attack, though it is still very much a work in progress in Year 2 under their second-year offensive coordinator and second-year offensive line coach Brian Ferentz.

Iowa's front seven and secondary should match up well against the Boilermakers. The Purdue offensive line has three young underclassmen in the interior offensive line, with two freshmen guards and a sophomore center Roger Kugler, who started the last seven games of his redshirt freshman season at RG. Purdue has two senior tackles to anchor the outside. Iowa's strength is inside on defense. How effective will Iowa Raider defensive package be verse QB Etling in obvious passing downs.

It should be an interesting game for Iowa's defensive coordinator Phil Parker, in his fifteenth season under Ferentz at Iowa, second season as coordinator. Purdue's defensive coordinator is Greg Hudson, who brings experience from most recently Flordia State linebacker coach for three season, prior to that East Carolina (five years as DC) and Minnesota (5 seasons).

Purdue is lead in sacks by senior left defensive end Bruce Gaston, who will match up opposite Iowa senior right tackle, captain Brett Van Sloten, which should be an interesting match up on Saturday.

The leading tacklers for the Boilermakers are three members of the Purdue secondary. Purdue has some ability to get the sack, so has mentioned earlier, down and distance will be important for each team's young offense.

Iowa's strength on defense is the three senior linebackers, Anthony Hitchens,  James Morris and Christian Kirksey, who are 1-2-3 in leading Iowa in tackles and have combined for seven sacks. How much pressure can Iowa's linebackers and defense put on the freshman quarterback for Purdue?

Iowa will be without senior leader Dominic Alvis in the defensive line for the third straight game. Sophomore DE Drew Ott and junior replacement Mike Hardy are playing well, as they did in the overtime win over Northwestern.

Special teams could play a big role in the Iowa at Purdue game.

Purdue has an outstanding kickoff return man in RB Hunt, who averages 26.4 a return and has taken one the distance this season, with a 99 yard return. Sophomore CB Frankie Williams has averaged 19.8 yards a punt return on four returns. This could play a big role in sparking the Boilermakers offense on Saturday.

"We have to protect the punt on punt team first, then get down there and everyone has to know their lane assignments," Iowa linebacker Hitchens said. "When we get to the ball carrier we have to wrap up.

"On kickoff, he (Hunt) is very explosive -- we have to get off blocks and be able to make the play when it's there."

Hitchens said the Hawkeyes have had a good week of practice, getting a lot done and focusing on detail.

"That was our main focus this week and I think we're doing a good job of it," he said.

Both teams have a sophomore and senior in the kicking battery. Iowa has a senior placekicker in Mike Meyer, who consistent. Purdue has a senior punter Cody Webster, who could help play a big role in field position for the Boilermakers on Saturday. Iowa sophomore punter Connor Kornbrath is growing week by week, especially in Big Ten play. Purdue sophomore placekicker Paul Griggs is only 50/50 on field goals.

Iowa has vetarans in special teams, as well as some young players. Senior kick returner Jordan Cotton lead the Big Ten in 2012. He hasn't been as strong under a new special teams scheme in 2013, but is capable. Iowa hasn't been as strong on punt returns in Big Ten play, but Martin-Manley leads the country and has taken two back for TDs this season.

How wild of game will this be at Ross-Ade Stadium?

Purdue is 1-7, while Iowa is 5-4. Iowa needs to put the Boilermakers away early. Iowa has played well in first halves most of the season, leading in eight of the nine games played. So, a fast start would be a good strategy for the Hawkeyes. How will they execute?

We shall see...

Our pick is for Iowa to cover the point spread (15 points), with a Iowa 31, Purdue 13, type game on Saturday in Ross-Ade Stadium.

The Hawkeyes are seeking to improve on all phases of the game ahead of another bye week. The game kicks off at 11 a.m. Central Time on the Big Ten Network.

Wishing all a Happy Veterans Day this Monday, as both celebrate it today on the gridiron, with a tribute to our Veterans...

Game Day Iowa: Battle of Heartland Trophy at Kinnick Stadium

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- The Iowa Hawkeyes (5-3, 2-2 B1G Legends) host the Wisconsin Badgers (5-2, 3-1 B1G Leaders) at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday with an 11:00 a.m. (C.T.) start on ABC/ESPN 2 mirror, depending on where you are located in the Nation. The Heartland Trophy will be on the line for the eighth time, since 2002. Today's game is the 87th in the series between these teams, with the series tied at 42-42-2.

Iowa owns a 4-3 edge in the trophy game, though Wisconsin currently holds the trophy, after a 31-30 heartbreaker in 2010 for Hawkeye fans at Kinnick. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is 6-6 in the series as head coach, since 1999. It will be Wisconsin's new coach's first game in the series.

Iowa vs. Wisconsin, as the Hawkeyes face the three-time defending Big Ten champion for the first time since 2010. The winner today will become bowl eligible for 2013 and they will take home the Heartland Trophy.

Wisconsin brings in a new Badger team with some new twists. The Badgers veteran front seven on defense are playing now a 3-4 base defense, highlighted by three senior linemen, Pat Muldoon, Beau Allen and Ethan Hemer. Hemer was a starting DT in 2010, in the last match up as a freshman. The biggest strength on defense, like Iowa, is the linebacker corp, lead by three seniors and one junior for the Badgers. Senior Chris Borland is the emotional leader of the unit, but he isn't 100%, due to a hamstring injury at Illinois.

The Badgers are coming off a bye week, so Borland has had time to rest and recover from the injury. If he isn't able to go, senior OLB Ethan Armstrong will swing inside to fill Borland's role at one of the ILB positions.

The Wisconsin offense will feature a jet sweep, which Iowa will face for the first time at Kinnick. Junior running back Melvin Gordon and senior James White bring an outstanding 1-2 bunch at RB for the Badgers. Freshman Corey Clement is waiting in the wings, as well. Wisconsin continues the plug and play mojo at running back over the past 20 years.

Iowa isn't known as a sexy program.  It may not always be eye-popping, but Iowa's base 4-3 defense never looked better than it did last week vs. Northwestern- particularly during one very important series.

Junior defensive tackle Louis Trinca-Pasat sacked quarterback Kain Colter on the final play of Iowa's overtime victory against Northwestern last week. It was the Hawkeyes' sixth sack of the day, and second-year defensive coordinator Phil Parker said there was nothing fancy about it. Just good football players making great plays at opportune times. Iowa's six sack total was the highest, since 2008 vs. FIU.

"They finished it up on fourth down," said Parker. "We did pretty well on the third down, and on fourth down we just played our base defense and it worked out for us. It was a good victory."

Parker said the final series against the Wildcats -- which ended the game after the Iowa offense scored on its first possession -- could create some momentum for the defense, starting this week against No. 22/24 Wisconsin.

"We got over the hump a little bit last week -- playing a tight game, a close game, and then closing it out and winning it," said Parker. "Obviously, Wisconsin is a very good team and it will be a great challenge for us."

The Badger program has eerily resembled the Hawkeyes' since former Iowa assistant Barry Alvarez was named Wisconsin head coach in 1990. Alvarez stepped down following the 2005 season, but Bret Bielema, another former Hawkeye and coaching assistant, was hand-picked to succeed Alvarez as head football coach.

Bielema left for the SEC following the 2012 regular season, and though the Badgers' new head coach, Gary Andersen, may not possess the Hawkeye lineage of his predecessors, Parker said Wisconsin's identity has largely remained the same.

"I think they're very similar offensively to what we've seen in the past," said Parker. "They have unbelievable backs that can run, so they kind of run the same offense with similar plays. They do a great job and they're doing very well."

Wisconsin leads the Big Ten averaging 296 rushing yards per game, but stopping the run has been one of Iowa's strengths -- the Hawkeye defense allows just 128 rushing yards per game. Should the rushing pendulum lean toward Iowa on Saturday, Parker said the defense must be ready for misdirection.

"It's going to be a challenge for us to try to stop the run, but also the play-action pass," said Parker. "They do a very good job of moving the quarterback a little bit on play-action, and they have a receiver that can make plays. They move both of those guys around, so we'll need to be disciplined in fundamentals and technique, and we will need to play hard the whole game. It's definitely going to be a challenge."

Both teams traditionally set up play action with the running game. Both teams are lead by sophomore redshirt quarterbacks. Joel Stave entered the picture last season for Wisconsin as a redshirt freshman. Jake Rudock is in his first season playing for Iowa.

Though, second-year Iowa offensive coordinator Greg Davis is using more tempo, than Iowa teams over the past 15 years under Kirk Ferentz. Iowa using a no-huddle pro offense now, unlike 2010.

There will be two outstanding wide receivers wearing jersey No. 4 in Saturday's football game between the universities of Iowa and Wisconsin. One is a consensus first-team All-Big Ten performer; the other is Hawkeye sophomore Tevaun Smith.

Both are valuable weapons for their teams.

The "elder" No. 4 is Badger senior Jared Abbrederis, whose journey has taken him from walk-on quarterback to rushing, receiving, and returning his way into one of the most dynamic players in the Big Ten Conference.

"If our four can become like their four, that would be a good thing," Ferentz said. "I would like to see that happen, it's possible."

This season Abbrederis has caught 43 passes for 752 yards and five touchdowns; he has returned five punts for 28 yards. He caught a 15 yard pass, as a freshman, in 2010, in the Iowa game.

"Abbrederis is a great receiver, he had a great game against Ohio State (10 catches, 207 yards, 1 touchdown)," Smith said. "Whatever I see in his game I try to implement it into mine to make myself better."

Smith has emerged from a jumble of Hawkeye pass catchers to become what head coach Kirk Ferentz calls the No. 2 receiver on the team behind junior Kevonte Martin-Manley.

So important is Smith, that even though he wasn't the primary option on the first play in overtime against Northwestern on Oct. 26, Rudock found him for a 14-yard gain, setting the table in a 17-10 victory.

"It was one of the plays we didn't run all game and we practiced it all week," Smith said. "I was able to get open because they bailed their corners and I tried to get as much (yardage) as I could after the catch."

Smith caught three passes for 41 yards against Northwestern, giving him 15 receptions for 154 yards on the season. That total is third on the team behind Martin-Manley (32) and senior tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz (17).

Rudock and Smith are developing in the lineup together. Both are sophomores, but while Rudock did not take a snap last season, Smith caught three passes for 31 yards from James Vandenberg. This season Rudock has completed better than 60 percent of his passes to 17 different targets. The 6-foot-2 Smith is becoming one of his preferred options.

"He's climbing, he's coming on," Ferentz said of Smith. Iowa could have targeted more vs. Northwestern, but Davis has been conservative in the number of targets he gives to each play. Whether it is junior running back Mark Weisman in the running game or a hot receiver in the passing game?

Ascending to second on the depth chart among receivers isn't important to Smith. Doing what coach Ferentz asks has always been his objective.

"I feel like I'm playing the role he needs me to play," Smith said. "I'm doing whatever he asks. If he says I'm the second receiver, then so be it. I'm trying to do my job."

With the Hawkeyes averaging 188.9 yards on the ground per game and 4.4 yards per rush, it makes sense to go for the near-certain positive yardage on first down. Against Northwestern, the Hawkeyes ran 20 times and passed eight times on first down. Because of that ratio, it isn't uncommon for the Iowa offense to occasionally see eight defenders within a few yards of the line of scrimmage.

"I love it," Smith said with a smile. "I kind of want them to load the box so the receivers can have a chance to catch the ball."

With Iowa and Wisconsin, keep a close eye on the fullbacks, the tight ends and running backs, since they often are the difference makers, as they were in the 2010 game.

Special teams can't be forgot in this series. Senior placekicker Mike Meyer was Iowa's only starter in the 2010 game. He had a costly block on an extra point in the 2010 game.

The Hawkeyes had plenty of miscues in special teams in 2010, including the infamous fake punt that Bielema called on the Badgers final scoring series to take the lead for good over Iowa and bring home the Heartland Trophy for the Badgers

All three Iowa senior linebackers, James Morris, Christian Kirksey and Anthony Hitchens saw playing time vs. Wisconsin, as freshmen. Morris contributed with four tackles. The Hawkeyes have won two out of two trophy games in 2013. Will they make it three in a row?

Can Iowa switch the tables in 2013 on Wisconsin? 

Our pick: Iowa 31, Wisconsin 30, which would be just that. It will be an interesting chess match at Kinnick. How will the coordinators use their men?