The Iowa Hawkeyes are seeking first Big Ten Baseball Tournament

Omaha, NE -- The Iowa Hawkeyes have never won a Big Ten Baseball Tournament championship, since the tournament debuted in 1981. Iowa played in the 2010 Championship Game. The Hawkeyes face the Ohio State in the Championship Game at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha.

Nice win Texas over Baylor ... now, what about tonight Iowa vs. Michigan State for B1G Championship?

Indianapolis, IN -- How did the Iowa Hawkeyes ever get to here? 

The 2015 Big Ten Championship Game is tonight in Lucas Oil Stadium, from Indianapolis.

Big Ten Championship Game: Michigan State vs. Iowa

Michigan State wasn't supposed to be here either, but That's Football. The games have to be played. The Spartans were a unanimous #2 in the B1G East Division, but they took out the unanimous choice in 2015, the defending champion, the Ohio State Buckeyes, and won every game, except one played in Lincoln, to open the month of November.

Ohio State was supposed to be here. The Buckeyes were supposed to repeat. They have been playing with fire throughout the season, with wins over Northern Illinois, Indiana, before falling at home to Michigan State, 17-14. But, how good is Ohio State, on any given Saturday?

Last season's Final 4, after conference championship games were played.

After winning the 2015 College Football Playoff Championship Game, players moved on from Columbus, assistant coaches moved on and the 2015 College Football season begins as a new year, and as a new team. Look at the success of the Ohio State's former offensive coordinator today ...

Houston vs Temple

Final - Today, 11:00 AM

TDECU Stadium, Houston, Texas

20Temple Owls (10-3) 13 17Houston Cougars (12-1) 24 The Houston Cougars won today the AAC Championship Game There head coach is Tom Herman, former OSU OC in '14 They will be the non-Power 5 in the New Year's Day 6

Alabama and Michigan State are two Top 10 programs that
are in the College Football Playoff hunt. They also have one loss,
Bama at home against Ole Miss and MSU @ Nebraska.

Preseason rankings, eye tests and recruiting ratings make for smack talk, overvalued ratings and a need for some high waders, since games still need to be played on the field. The Blue Bloods don't always win. Players are aged 18-23 and there is plenty of noise throughout the season.

The 2015 season may be a great example, especially, if you are the non-Blue Bloods, like Iowa, that the games need to be played. Both Iowa, Clemson and Oklahoma were not Top 10 picks, in their conference or division.  

Interesting fact about today's game. Neither, Iowa nor Michigan State have played or been in the conversation for the College Football Playoff, until this year. Yes, Michigan State was in the ratings last year, but with two losses they were not in the 2014 conversation, like today.

In 2013, Michigan State won the Big Ten, with a win over Ohio State, to close out the Legends and Leaders era of Big Ten football. But, that was the final season of the BCS, so no College Football Playoff, but a great season. In 2014, Ohio State kicked off the College Football Playoff era with a journey from #16 to Last In, at #4, after smoking a Wisconsin team, whose coach was ready to get out of Madison.

Interesting, in 2012, Michigan State was, like Iowa coming off a 7-6 season. Unlike Iowa, Michigan State had finished with back to back 11 win seasons. Though, Iowa beat Michigan State two out of those three seasons.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is the dean of the Big Ten head coaches, with 17 years
at the helm. Overall, he has 26 years in the Big Ten, after serving as an OL
coach from 1981 to 1989, under Hayden Fry at Iowa.

Iowa, like Michigan State, has had two 11 win seasons under Kirk Ferentz. They are not back to back, but, both Iowa and Michigan State have finished 8-0 in the Big Ten under their current coach. Iowa has now done that twice, after finishing the 2015 regular season at 12-0.

Don't worry Becky, the Big Ten will be represented. Ohio State
was 6-7 in 2011 and has played in 2 of the 5 B1G Championship
Games, since 2011. The Big Ten is very healthy right now.

Iowa scheduled and played 10 Power Five schools in 2015, unlike most of the programs, not named Oklahoma, in the College Football Playoff discussion. Stanford is another one with 10 Power Five Games and with a win today and the right mix of upsets, could justify jumping Ohio State.

The Big Ten will have a representative for the second straight year, since the College Football Playoff began during the 2014 season. They have an outside chance of two, if things turn out right, in a couple of conference championship games.

#12 Baylor fell at home to unranked Texas today. Is Alabama really the best
1-loss team in the College Football Playoff? Ole Miss-Bama isn't the rivalry
game that the Red River Rivalry between Oklahoma and Texas.

The SEC and ACC championship games will determine whether anyone outside the Top 5 rejoins the conversations. Clemson, Alabama, Oklahoma, Iowa and Michigan State all controlled their own destiny and they have all month, since the first College Football Playoff rankings were released.

Yes, you only get once chance

In the second quarter, Florida is competing with Alabama, leading 7-5, but with under 3 minutes the Crimson Tide took the lead again. This is the same Florida team that was trailing Florida State, last Saturday, from the 12:11 mark of the first quarter. There is a reason, why the games must be played. After all, Alabama struggled in a loss at home vs. Ole Miss in 2015.

The Iowa Hawkeyes got to Indianapolis by taking care of business throughout the season. The Hawkeyes were behind a couple of games, where opponents lead in games,into the third quarter. But, Iowa owned every fourth quarter in 2015.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz addressing his team, after a 12-0 season. It is Iowa's
fifth unbeaten season ever, first since 1922 and most wins ever in program history.

The Hawkeyes have outscored their opponents 71-23 in the first quarter, and 44-6 in the final two minutes of the first half. Iowa has trailed just five times this season, never by more than seven points. The Hawkeyes trailed by seven at Iowa State on two occasions, 10-3, 17-10. Iowa trailed 3-0 at Wisconsin, 7-6 against Illinois, and 17-14 at Indiana. The Hawkeyes have not trailed since the 3-minute mark in the second quarter against Indiana (14 quarters ago). In 720 minutes played, Iowa has trailed for 55:15.

Yes, they started in the off season, with a lot of noise against the program. The coaching staff was getting negative votes of confidence by the fans, the media and those outside the program. Inside the program, 

• Ferentz moved C.J. Beathard to #1 signal caller, in January
• Iowa went out to Oregon and visited with the Ducks about morning practices and put the program under the microscope
• Iowa moved into a state of the air Football facility for 2015
• Iowa moved to morning practices; moved non-practice day to Thursday, from Monday
• The Hawkeyes went from 0-4 in trophy games in 2014 to 4-0 this season

Junior C.J. Beathard is one of only three Power 5 Conference quarterbacks to win each of their first 13 career starts since 2010. The others include Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton, who led Auburn to the BCS National Championship in 2011 and Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston, who led Florida State to the 2014 BCS National Championship. Beathard's record in 13 career starts includes a 6-0 mark on the road, a 7-0 mark at home, and an 8-0 mark in the Big Ten.

Former #1 Jake Rudock transferred to Michigan. Michigan defeated two B1G West opponents, Minnesota and Northwestern, which was good for Iowa, since Iowa faced each of those opponents immediately after the B1G West opponent faced Michigan.

Iowa has greatly improved in 2015, much like 2013 at Michigan State.

Iowa's offensive line has been named a finalist for the Joe Moore Award, which honors offensive line units that display a high level of toughness, effort, teamwork, physicality, tone setting and finishing. The Joe Moore Award winner will be announced Friday, Dec. 11. Other finalists include Alabama, Arkansas, Michigan State, Notre Dame, and Stanford. The Hawkeyes earned a "Game Ball" from the Joe Moore Award following wins at Iowa State and against Pitt. At Iowa State, Iowa's offense rushed for 260 yards, averaging 5.8 yards per rushing attempt. Iowa controlled the fourth quarter with 10:55 in possession time, scoring two touchdowns in the final 2:14 to earn the road win. 

Iowa junior QB #16 C.J. Beathard is 13-0 as a starter at Iowa. He has been
called a difference maker, game manager and #1 reason Iowa is unbeaten.

Against Pitt, the Hawkeyes owned more than a five minute advantage in time of possession and allowed just one sack, allowing QB C.J. Beathard to throw for then-career bests in completions (27), attempts (40), and yards (258). Iowa has rushed for over 200 yards in seven games. The Hawkeye offense has six touchdown drives over 90 yards and 18 touchdowns drives over 75 yards. Iowa scored over 30 points in five straight games for the first time ever. Iowa's offensive line includes center Austin Blythe, tackles Cole Croston, Boone Myers and Ike Boettger, and guards Sean Welsh and Jordan Walsh. Blythe and Walsh are seniors, while Myers, Boettger and Welsh are sophomores. True freshman James Daniels has rotated in at the guard positions, and filled in at right tackle vs. Illinois. The Joe Moore Award is named after Joe Moore, widely regarded as one of the best offensive line coaches in college football history, and is the only major college football award to honor a unit.

Iowa junior Desmond King has lead the Hawkeyes' secondary with eight
interceptions and on special teams in 2015.

Iowa improved greatly on defense in 2015, reducing explosive plays and against the run compared to 2014. Further, special teams played a positive role, lead by two senior specialists and the insertion of junior CB Desmond King as a kick and punt returner. 

The majority are picking Michigan State to win its second Big Ten Conference Championship Game, but the Hawkeyes have a good history in B1G games over the years against the Spartans. Thirty years ago, Iowa won its last outright Big Ten title. The game against Michigan State went down to the wire that game. 

Iowa DC Phil Parker, who came in Kirk Ferentz's first season in Iowa City.
OC Greg Davis has experience leading championship football at Texas.

Iowa's defensive coordinator Phil Parker was an all-Big Ten safety at Michigan State back in 1985. The last time Iowa went 8-0 in the Big Ten was in 2002, the fourth season, under new offensive and defensive coordinators. Parker is in his fourth season as DC for Kirk Ferentz. In many ways, the stars have aligned for Iowa, with history, development, momentum, schedule and emotion, as 2015 unfolded.

Who's In?                                            Iowa or Michigan State?

We shall soon know, as the winner from the Big Ten Championship Game will be in ...

GameDay: Big Ten Championship Game: #4 Iowa vs. #5 Michigan State

Indianapolis, IN -- The #4 Iowa Hawkeyes and the #5 Michigan State Spartans have never met as Top 5 programs in series history. Another first, this is the first game in the series on a neutral field, as the Hawkeyes-Spartans meet in the 2015 Big Ten Championship Game on Saturday night, with a 7:17 kickoff on Fox, from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The 2015 Big Ten Championship Game is basically a quarterfinal game for the College Football Playoff on Saturday night. The ACC and the SEC can drop out, with upsets, but the Big Ten champion and the Big 12 champion, Oklahoma, are likely locks for the College Football Playoff on Championship Saturday.

Iowa in 2009 went 9-0 to kickoff the season, including a 15-13 win  @ MSU on
final play. MSU has won 11+ games in 5 of the past 6 seasons from 2010 to 2015.
Iowa is unbeaten heading into the 2015 Championshipg Game against MSU.

• The 2015 Big Ten Football Championship Game from A to Z - Link
• MSU vs. Iowa for Big Ten title: Scouting report, pick from Detroit Free Press - Link
• Michigan State - Iowa Capsule from USA Today - Link
• No. 4 Iowa vs. No. 5 Michigan State: Preview from The Gazette

Which coach earns third B1G title: MSU's  Dantonio or Iowa's Ferentz?

Which QB leads his team to victory on Saturday night:
Iowa's Beathard or Michigan State's Cook?

Battle of Herky against the Spartans ...

Which running back corp gets on track and leads: Iowa or MSU?

The Hawkeyes and Spartans have hit Indianapolis hard: Who's In?

Welcome to CollegeGameDay ... Spartans vs. Hawkeyes tonight on FOX!

Our Pick: Iowa vs. Michigan State ... Link

Championship Eve: Big Ten Conference Game ... #4 Iowa Hawkeyes (12-0) vs. #5 Michigan State (11-1)

#4 Iowa vs. #5 Michigan State

Indianapolis, IN -- #5 Michigan State (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten) is making its third Big Ten Championship Game appearance in five years as the Spartans will take on undefeated and #4 Iowa (12-0, 8-0) from the Big Ten West Division on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 7:17 p.m. EST in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Game will be televised on FOX with Gus Johnson (play-by-play), Joel Klatt (analyst) and Molly McGrath (sidelines). The Big Ten Network's preview game show will be at 5:30 p.m. CST.


The Spartans clinched the Big Ten East Division crown with a 55-16 win over Penn State last Saturday on Senior Day in Spartan Stadium, while the Hawkeyes completed their first perfect regular season since 1922 with a 28-20 victory at Nebraska on Friday, Nov. 27. The Spartans are seeking their ninth Big Ten title in school history and their third under Mark Dantonio (2010, 2013). The Spartans also have won Big Ten titles in 1953, 1965, 1966, 1978, 1987 and 1990.

The Hawkeyes won Big Ten titles in 1900, 1921, 1922, 1956, 1958, 1960, 1981, 1985, 1990, 2004 and 2009. The last outright title was thirty years ago in 1985, when Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz was in his fourth season as an offensive line coach. Ferentz is dean of Big Ten coaches, in his 17th season as head coach and 26th year overall in Iowa City. Iowa beat Michigan State in 1985 and 1990.

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio is in his ninth season in East Lansing.
Dantonio is seeking his second Big Ten championship at MSU.

Under Dantonio, the Spartans are 15-20 in 35 games played against teams ranked in The Associated Press Top 25; however, MSU is 14-11 against ranked teams since 2010, including 3-0 this season (#7 Oregon, #12 Michigan, #2 Ohio State). The Spartans are the favorite heading into the 2015 Big Ten Championship Game against the undefeated Hawkeyes.

Saturday’s game marks the 46th meeting between Michigan State and Iowa. The Hawkeyes lead the all-time series, 23-20-2; the two teams have never met on a neutral field. MSU won the last meeting over Iowa in 2013 at Kinnick Stadium with a 26-14 victory. Iowa last won in 2012 in East Lansing in a 19-16 double overtime game.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is the 2015 Big Ten Coach of the Year. In his 17th
season, he is seeking his first outright B1G championship and third overall.

Dantonio is 3-4 in his tenure against the Hawkeyes since 2007, but MSU has won two of the last three meetings. Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz is 7-6 in his career as a head coach against the Spartans, including the 4-3 record over Dantonio.

The Spartans and Hawkeyes have played each other four previous times when both teams were ranked in the AP Top 25. Iowa has won each game. Saturday’s game marks the first time both teams will be ranked in the AP Top 10 when facing each other.

ESPN College GameDay Built by The Home Depot ...

ESPN College GameDay Built by The Home Depot, celebrating its 29th season, makes its 14th appearance from the site of a Michigan State game – and the fourth time in 2015 – for Saturday’s MSU-Iowa contest (7:17 CST kickoff on FOX). The weekly Emmy Award-winning show (Saturday 9-12 p.m. ET) is hosted by Rece Davis, along with analysts Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and David Pollack as well as contributors Samantha Ponder, Tom Rinaldi, George Whitfield and Gene Wojciechowski.

Football Championship Game Transcripts

Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz and Michigan State Head Coach Mark Dantonio address media

on Dec. 4th in Indianapolis.

Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz

Michigan State Head Coach Mark Dantonio

Iowa Roster vs. Michigan State Roster

Michigan State's senior QB #18 Conner Cook's first B1G start was against Iowa in
Iowa City in 2013. He lead his Spartans to a 2nd Half to a 26-14 victory, after the
Hawkeyes took a 14-10 halftime lead. Cook is now 33-4, as a starter at MSU.

Michigan State's fifth-year senior quarterback Connor Cook, the winningest quarterback in school history, owns a 33-4 record (.891) as the starter, including a 22-2 (.917) mark against Big Ten opponents. The 33 wins are second most among active starting quarterbacks in the NCAA FBS (Stanford’s Kevin Hogan with 34), and Cook’s .891 winning percentage is No. 1 (minimum 24 starts). Cook is 4-1 against AP Top 10 teams in his career and 7-3 against AP Top 25 opponents. He is a finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and the Manning Award, and was a semifinalist for both the Davey O’Brien Award (nation’s best quarterback) and the Maxwell Award (college player of the year).

Iowa junior QB #16 C.J. Beathard is 13-0 as a starting QB. The first-year starter
has lead the Hawkeyes to its first 12-0 regular season in program history. He was
a freshman in 2012, the last time Iowa defeated MSU 19-16 in 2 OT in East Lansing.

Iowa junior quarterback C.J. Beathard is one of only three Power 5 Conference quarterbacks to win each of their first 13 career starts since 2010. The others include Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton, who led Auburn to the BCS National Championship in 2011 and Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston, who led Florida State to the 2014 BCS National Championship. Beathard's record in 13 career starts includes a 6-0 mark on the road, a 7-0 mark at home, and an 8-0 mark in the Big Ten.

Iowa senior RB #33 Jordan Canzeri was third in Big Ten games with 108 yards
per game rushing. Canzeri lead Iowa with 12 rushing TDs. He also caught one.

Three Hawkeyes (senior Jordan Canzeri, 256, sophomore Akrum Wadley, 204; junior LeShun Daniels, 195) have combined for nine 100-yard rushing games this season: Canzeri (5x), Wadley (twice), and Daniels (twice). The last time the Hawkeyes had three different players rush for over 100 yards in a game in the same season was 2005: Albert Young (8x), and Shonn Greene and Damian Sims once each. The Hawkeyes and Spartans didn't meet in 2005. Iowa goes four deep at RB, with sophomore Derrick Mitchell often used as a third down back.

Michigan State sophomore RB #24 Gerald Holmes was the leading rushing in
the 55-16 win over Penn State, with 64 yards and one touchdown.

Three different running backs have started this season for Michigan State: freshman LJ Scott, red-shirt freshman Madre London and sophomore Gerald Holmes. All three have posted 100-yard rushing games this season. Junior Delton Williams also has seen action in the backfield.

Michigan State WR #16 Aaron Burbridge was awarded top Big Ten honors, as
the leagues top receiver in 2015. Burbridge has been held to 3 touchdowns in B1G play.

Senior WR Aaron Burbridge led the Spartans in receptions for the 10th time in 12 games this season, with six catches for 75 yards against Penn State, including a 29-yard touchdown grab from QB Connor Cook in the third quarter. Burbridge ranks among MSU’s single-season leaders in receptions (third with 75) and receiving yards (sixth with 1,158). He moved into sole possession of second place on MSU’s all-time list with 155 career receptions.

Dating back to Iowa's bowl game in January, junior WR #89 Matt VandeBerg
has been a favorite for Hawkeye QB C.J. Beathard in 2015.

The Hawkeyes also have three receivers with 100-yard receiving games: junior WR Matt VandeBerg (1), senior WR Tevaun Smith (1), and true freshman WR Jerminic Smith (1). It is the first time since 1995 three different Hawkeyes recorded 100-yard receiving games: Tim Dwight (2x), Demo Odems (1), Scott Slutzker (1). Iowa beat Michigan State 21-7 in 1995.

Iowa cousins at TE: senior #80 Henry Krieger Coble and junior George Kittle
are two options in Iowa's passing game for QB C.J. Beathard on Saturday.

One area of the game to watch will be the play of the tight ends. In Iowa's game against Nebraska, the TE position was big for both teams. Iowa is lead by two cousins, with senior Henry Krieger Coble and junior George Kittle. Senior Jake Duzey was expected to be a top performer, but he was slowed all season, after knee surgery in the Spring. The Spartans have experience at TE, as well. Juniors Josiah Price, Jamal Lyles and senior Paul Lang are the top options for Cook in the Spartans passing game.

@JoeMooreAward

Both Iowa and Michigan State offensive lines are finalists for the Joe Moore Award, which honor the top offensive line unit in the country. Michigan State is anchored by all-Big Ten center Jack Allen, a senior, and all-Big Ten junior LT Jack Conklin.

Iowa has used seven different starters in 2015 in the Offensive Line, coached by
former Hawkeye OL Brian Ferentz, Kirk's oldest son. The line has been anchored
by seniors #63 Austin Blythe at C and #65 Jordan Walsh at RG during 2015.

Leadership is a very important element for both programs.

The University of Iowa football program has 16 players on its 2015 Leadership Group, including 13 seniors, two juniors, and one sophomore. The purpose of the group is to assist in formulating policies, and being involved in team decision-making matters regarding the upcoming season. Players are selected by a team vote. The seniors are C Austin Blythe, RB Jordan Canzeri, DT Darian Cooper, FB Adam Cox, TE Jake Duzey, WR Jacob Hillyer, PK Marshall Koehn, FS Jordan Lomax, DE Nate Meier, DE Drew Ott, LB Travis Perry, FB Macon Plewa and WR Tevaun Smith. The junior class is represented by QB C.J. Beathard and RB LeShun Daniels, Jr., and LB Josey Jewell represents the sophomore class.

Michigan State senior #85 Macgarrett Kings, Jr. is one of 23 seniors, who
lead the Spartans to a 2015 Big Ten East Division title.

The 23-member senior class for Michigan State includes: C Jack Allen (Hinsdale, Ill.), WR DeAnthony Arnett (Saginaw, Mich.), WR Aaron Burbridge (Farmington Hills, Mich.), DE Shilique Calhoun (Middletown, New Jersey), RG Donavon Clark (Cincinnati, Ohio), CB Arjen Colquhoun (Windsor, Ontario), QB Connor Cook (Hinckley, Ohio), LB Ed Davis (Detroit, Mich.), LB Darien Harris (Silver Spring, Md.), DT Joel Heath (Cincinnati, Ohio), WR Macgarrett Kings Jr. (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), DT Damon Knox (Muskegon, Mich.), S Chris Laneaux (Kalamazoo, Mich.), TE Paul Lang (Pittsburgh, Pa.), FB Trevon Pendleton (Lucasville, Ohio), LS Taybor Pepper(Saline, Mich.), DE Lawrence Thomas (Detroit, Mich.), LB Michael Topolinski (Richmond Hill, Ontario), WR AJ Troup (Minneapolis, Minn.), QB Tommy Vento (Farmington Hills, Mich.), Phillip-Michael Williams (Ballston Spa, N.Y.) and RJ Williamson (Dayton, Ohio). Offensive lineman Zach Higgins (Alliance, Ohio), who retired early from football due to injuries, is also being recognized with the 2015 class.

The Hawkeyes have used 14 first time starters: RB LeShun Daniels, Jr., LT Boone Myers, DT Nathan Bazata, DT Jaleel Johnson, LB Cole Fisher, LB Ben Niemann, SS Miles Taylor, TE Jameer Outsey, DE Parker Hesse, WR Riley McCarron, LT Cole Croston, WR Jerminic Smith, LG James Daniels, and RB Akrum Wadley.

Michigan State senior DE #89 Shilique Calhoun was the Big Ten's defensive
lineman of the year in 2014. He is an outstanding player, but his Big Ten numbers
were down, compared to 2014. 

They say defenses win championships, which was certainly the case for Michigan State in 2013, when the Spartans went unbeaten in the Big Ten, winning the championship coming off a 7-6 season, the year before.. Iowa was 7-6 in 2014 and explosive plays were a problem for the Hawkeyes.

This year, Iowa has allowed nine rushing touchdowns; tying Michigan for No. 1 in the conference and seventh nationally. Limiting big plays: Iowa has allowed 12 scrimmage plays of 30-plus yards during its unbeaten path in 2015.

Iowa and Michigan State share the conference lead with 25 takeaways and turnover margin (+14). Iowa leads the Big Ten with 17 interceptions, Michigan State is second with 14. The schools are also 1-2 in interceptions lost. Iowa has thrown only three interceptions, Michigan State has thrown five.

The Hawkeyes feature two linebackers with more than 100 tackles. Sophomore MLB Josey Jewell leads the team and ranks fifth in the Big Ten with 111 tackles (9.3 pg.), 7.5 TFL and three sacks; while senior WLB Cole Fisher has 103 stops to rank tied for seventh in the conference (8.6 avg.). The Spartans are lead by MIKE LB junior Riley Bullough with 90 tackles, 6.5 TFL and four sacks.

Iowa's most likely all-American defensive player, is CB Desmond King, who
is tied for #1 nationally, with 8 interceptions. He is tied with 1939 Heisman
Trophy winner Nile Kinnick and 1981 CB Lou King, with 8 on the season.

Special Teams will be an important aspect on Saturday night. 

The Hawkeyes come into the Big Ten Championship Game very balanced in all three phases of the game. Iowa has two senior specialists, with PK Marshall Koehn, who kicked the 57 yard winning FG against Pitt; and punter Dillon Kidd. Koehn also is a part-time punter with his soccer style kicks. Iowa junior CB Desmond King has been inserted this season, as a kick and punt returner. King ranks second in the Big Ten in kickoff returns (25.6 yards) and punt returns (13.3).

The Spartans have a junior PK Michael Geiger, with three years of experience. Redshirt freshman Jake Harbarger is handling the punting duties this season. Field position can play a very important role in games.

Both coaches have been known to dial up a fake kick, with Dantonio, with the success in previous seasons and Ferentz using it during the non-conference in 2015.

Since 1981, Ferentz's first season in Iowa City; the Hawkeyes have a 16-10-1 record in the series. The average score has been 22-19. Michigan State has never won back to back games against Iowa, since 1981, except for a W-T-W from 1987 to 1989. This is the first time the game has ever been played on a neutral field. Back in 1981, the Hawkeyes wrapped up a Big Ten Conference season with a win over Michigan State and a Big Ten title. This time around, the Hawkeyes are playing for an outright title.

Iowa senior PK #1 Marshall Koehn hit a 57 yard FG back in September, in the
27-24 win over former Michigan State DC Pat Narduzzi and the Pitt Panthers.

Our Pick:

Iowa 30

MSU 23

The game will come down to quarterback play, turnovers, explosive plays and play at the line of scrimmage. The Hawkeyes didn't win a trophy game in 2014, but they are 4-0 in 2015 and looking to finish the season with an undefeated year.

The winner will clinch one of four slots in the College Football Playoff ...

Big Ten Championship Game: Iowa Hawkeyes (12-0, B1G West 8-0) vs. Michigan State Spartans (11-1, B1G East 7-1)

Iowa City, IA -- #4/3 Iowa was 8-0 in Big Ten play and won the Big Ten West Division for the first time in program history. The Hawkeyes play Big Ten East Division co-champion #5/5 Michigan State (7-1), who is making its third appearance in the title game. The winner earns the Amos Alonzo Stagg Championship Trophy for the 2015 Big Ten Championship.

The Big Ten Championship game is in Indianapolis on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium. Kickoff is 7:17 p.m. (CST). The game will be televised nationally on FOX. Iowa will be the home team and wear its black jerseys.

The Big Ten Championship Game has the look of a quarterfinal game, a play-in for the 2015 College Football Playoffs. The four teams in the College Football Playoffs, along with the participants in the other New Year's Six bowl games, will be announced at 11 a.m. CST on Sunday, Dec. 6th.

The Hawkeyes remain #4 in the latest College Football Playoff poll, ahead of the #5 Spartans.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is the dean of the Big Ten, making his first appearance in a Big Ten Championship Game, in his 17th season as head coach in Iowa City. Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio is in his ninth season as head coach in East Lansing. Ferentz leads head to head against Dantonio at 4-3.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz and Michigan State Mark Dantonio before the 2013
game, in Iowa City. Michigan State beat Iowa 26-14 to ruin Iowa's Homecoming.

Date Result Site of Iowa's Ferentz vs. MSU's Dantonio

• Oct. 27, 2007 Iowa 34, Michigan State 27 (2 OT) in Iowa City 
• Oct. 4, 2008 Michigan State 16, Iowa 13 in East Lansing 
• Oct. 24, 2009 No. 7 Iowa 15, Michigan State 13 in East Lansing 
• Oct. 30, 2010 No. 18 Iowa 37, No. 5 Michigan State 6 in Iowa City 
• Nov. 12, 2011 No. 13 Michigan State 37, Iowa 21 in Iowa City 
• Oct. 13, 2012 Iowa 19, Michigan State 16 (2 OT) in East Lansing 
• Oct. 5, 2013 Michigan State 26, Iowa 14 in Iowa City

The Spartans and Hawkeyes have played each other four previous times when both teams were ranked in the AP Top 25. Saturday’s game marks the first time both teams will be ranked in the AP Top 10 when facing each other. 

Iowa is undefeated in 2015 and ranked #4 in the College Football
Playoff Poll ahead of #5 Michigan State. It is the first title game
for the Hawkeyes, compared to the Spartans third trip, since 2011.

Date Result Site, as Iowa is 4-0 in games where both teams are ranked in the MSU series

• Sept. 25, 1954 No. 12 Iowa 14, No. 7 Michigan State 10 in Iowa City 
• Oct. 8, 1960 No. 3 Iowa 27, No. 13 Michigan State 15 in East Lansing 
• Oct. 4, 1986 No. 11 Iowa 24, No. 17 Michigan State 21 in East Lansing 
• Oct. 30, 2010 No. 18 Iowa 37, No. 5 Michigan State 6 in Iowa City

Ferentz is 7-6 vs. Michigan State, as a head coach at Iowa, and 5-3-1, while an offensive line coach from 1981 to 1989, under Hayden Fry, while at Iowa, so overall 18-9-1 against the Spartans.

Michigan State QB #18 Connor Cook, now a senior and 33-4 as a starter, made
his first Big Ten start at Iowa in 2013. Iowa DE #95 Drew Ott will serve as
a captain, but he will not be available, due to a season ending knee injury.

In 2013, the Spartans were coming off a 7-6 season, when Dantonio lead the Spartans to 8-0 in the Big Ten, then defeated Ohio State 34-24 in the Big Ten Championship Game. The Spartans followed up the Big Ten title with a 24-20 win in the Rose Bowl over Stanford to finish 13-1, in the final season of the BCS. In 2011, the Spartans fell short in the Big Ten Championship Game, with a 42-39 loss to Wisconsin.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz was voted Coach of the Year in the Big Ten in 2015.

This season, Ferentz has Iowa coming off a 7-6 season and 8-0 in the Big Ten, so will the Hawkeyes prevail, as Michigan State did two years ago in the Big Ten Championship Game?

The Michigan State strength is in the defensive line in 2015, while the Hawkeyes
have rebounded, with strong play in the offensive line.

In the 2013 game vs. Michigan State, Iowa held its opponent scoreless in the first quarter for the fifth straight game. Iowa outscored Michigan State 14-10 in the second quarter, but were shutout in the second half, as Michigan State won the turnover battle +1.

Michigan State senior C #66 Jack Allen is an all-Big Ten performer, since
his freshman season, when he was recognized as a freshman all-American.

Iowa returns five starters from the 2013 game, with four on offense. Michigan State returns five starters from the 2013 game, as well, with four on offense too. While Connor Cook made his first Big Ten start in 2013 against Iowa, Iowa center Austin Blythe started his first B1G road game against Michigan State, in Iowa's 19-16 2 OT win in 2012.

Michigan State senior LT #74 Jack Allen is another all-Big Ten performer for
the Spartans in 2015, after being recognized as a freshman all-American. 

Iowa didn't gain a first down rushing the football in 2013 against Michigan State in the 26-14 loss, in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes with three running backs who each have ran for at least 195 yards in a game this season will obviously seek to change that in the 2015 game. In the 2012 win, Iowa's Mark Weisman ran for 116 yards against Michigan State. He was held to nine yards rushing in the 2013 game, as Iowa was held to 23 yards rushing.

STAT LEADERS – Michigan State (after 12 games): 

Michigan State senior QB #18 Connor Cook named Big Ten's top QB for 2015.

• Rushing – LJ Scott (118 carries for 618 yards, 5.2 avg., 10 TDs) 
• Passing – Connor Cook (194 of 337 for 2,730 yards, 24 TDs, 4 INTs) 
• Receiving – Aaron Burbridge (75 catches for 1,158 yards, 15.4 avg., 7 TDs) 
• Tackles – Riley Bullough (90 tackles, 40 solos, 50 assists, 6.5 TFL, 4 sacks, 2 INTs) 

Iowa (after 12 games): 

Iowa senior RB #33 Jordan Canzeri is having a breakout fifth season for the
Hawkeyes, finishing third at 108 yards per game in Big Ten games.

• Rushing – Jordan Canzeri (176 carries for 964 yards, 5.5 avg., 12 TDs) 
• Passing – C.J. Beathard (184 of 303 for 2,354 yards, 14 TDs, 3 INTs) 
• Receiving – Matt VandeBerg (59 catches for 625 yards, 10.6 avg., 3 TDs) 
• Tackles – Josey Jewell (111 tackles, 54 solos, 57 assists, 7.5 TFL, 3.0 sacks) 

Current Spartans vs. IOWA – Career Stat Leaders 

Michigan State Mark Dantonio is in his ninth season in East Lansing.

• Rushing – Delton Williams (1 game: 9 carries for 32 yards, 3.6 avg.) 
• Passing – Connor Cook (1 game: 25-of-44 passing for 277 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT) 
• Receiving – Macgarrett Kings Jr. (1 game: 5 catches for 94 yards, 18.8 avg., 1 TD) 
• Tackles – Shilique Calhoun (1 game: 3 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 4 QB hurries) 

Iowa junior CB Desmond King was named top defensive back in the Big Ten
for 2015. King had a strong performance in 2013 against Michigan State.

Current Hawkeyes vs. MSU - Career Stat Leaders

• Rushing - Jordan Canzeri played in 2013 game, but no carries
• Passing - None, C.J. Beathard didn't play; starter Jake Rudock transferred to Michigan
• Receiving - Tevaun Smith (1 game: 6 catches for 59 yards, 36 yards long)
• Tackles - Desmond King (1 game: 11 tackles, 7 solo, 4 assist, 1 QB hurry)

STAT COMPARISON (BIG TEN RANK/NCAA FBS RANK)

Michigan State vs. Iowa 

Scoring 33.4 (4/44) 33.7 (3/41) 

First Downs 264 (3/43) 253 (5/55) 

Total Offense 399.4 (5/68) 404.3 (4/63) 

Rushing Yards 159.6 (8/79) 203.7 (3/32) 

Passing Yards 239.8 (4/48) 200.6 (11/92) 

Time of Possession 33:01 (3/12) 32:13 (4/25) 

Third Down Conversions .506 (1/7) .442 (3/29) 

Points Allowed 21.1 (6/22) 18.7 (5/15) 

Total Offense Allowed 349.2 (7/27) 331.7 (6/21) 

Rushing Yards Allowed 118.2 (5/16) 110.0 (2/6)

Iowa junior QB #16 C.J. Beathard lead the Hawkeyes to a 12-0 record, as a
first-year starter. He is 13-0 overall as a starting QB for the Hawkeyes.

Hawkeyes on Offense:

• Iowa has a balanced offense. Its 4,851 total yards are divided by 2,444 yards rushing, and 2,407 yards passing. 
• Iowa has 35 rushing touchdowns, tying Ohio State for first in the Big Ten and seventh nationally. 
• The Hawkeyes scored 30-plus points in five straight Big Ten games for the first time in school history. 
• Iowa has six touchdown drives over 90 yards, 18 touchdown drives over 75 yards, and seven touchdown drives of two plays or fewer. 
• Limiting turnovers (3 interceptions, 8 fumbles). The three pass interceptions are a school record for fewest in a single-season besting Iowa's four in 2002. 

In 2015, Iowa sophomore MLB #43 Josey Jewell lead a vastly improved Hawkeyes'
linebacker corp and was recognized by the Big Ten as a 2nd team all-Big Ten LB.

Hawkeyes on Defense: 

• Iowa has allowed nine rushing touchdowns; tying Michigan for No. 1 in the conference and seventh nationally.
• Iowa leads the Big Ten in interceptions (17), takeaways (25), and turnover margin (+14). 
• Limiting big plays: Iowa has allowed 12 scrimmage plays of 30-plus yards. 

Hawkeyes on Special Teams:

• Senior PK Marshall Koehn's 57-yard game-winning field goal vs. Pitt is the second longest in school history and the second longest in FBS this season. 
• In 2014, Iowa averaged 5.1 yards per punt return, last in the Big Ten. In 2015, the Hawkeyes average 13.1 yards per punt return, third best in the conference. 
• Junior CB and RS Desmond King ranks second in the Big Ten in kickoff returns (25.6 yards) and punt returns (13.3).

Iowa senior PK #1 Marshall Koehn celebrating his 57 yard FG vs. Pittsburgh.

TEAM COMPARISONS – 

Michigan State Iowa 

Basic Offense Multiple Multiple 

Basic Defense Multiple 4-3 4-3 

Offensive Starters Returning 7 5 

Defensive Starters Returning 7 7 

Specialists Returning 3 2 

AVERAGE HEIGHTS & WEIGHTS (STARTERS) – 

Michigan State Iowa 

Offensive Line & Tight End 6-4, 303 6-4, 286 

Offensive Backs & Wide Receivers 6-1, 217 6-2, 212 

Defensive Line 6-5, 281 6-3, 272 Linebackers 6-1, 226 6-2, 230 

Defensive Backs 6-1, 199 6-0, 200 

CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) – 

Michigan State Offense: 7 seniors, 2 juniors, 2 sophomores 

Michigan State Defense: 5 seniors, 3 juniors, 3 sophomores 

Iowa Offense: 4 seniors, 5 juniors, 2 sophomores 

Iowa Defense: 3 seniors, 3 juniors, 4 sophomores, 1 freshman

Michigan State has been recognized

11 times by the Big Ten this season with weekly awards. 

2015 Spartan Big Ten Players of the Week Game:

Michigan State senior WR #16 Aaron Burbridge is the Spartans top WR in 2015.

Defense: LB Riley Bullough (14 tackles) vs. Oregon 

Freshman: RB LJ Scott (11 carries, 76 yards, 2 TD, 38-yard TD run) vs. Oregon 

Offense: WR Aaron Burbridge (8 rec. for 156 yards and 3 TDs) vs. Air Force 

Defense: DE Shilique Calhoun (6 tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 sacks, 1 block) vs. CMU 

Freshman: RB LJ Scott (18 carries, 146 yards, 2 TD) vs. Purdue 

Defense: LB Shilique Calhoun (5 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 2 sacks) vs. Michigan 

Special Teams: S Jalen Watts-Jackson (38-yard fumble recovery for TD) vs. Michigan 

Offense: QB Connor Cook (30-of-52 passing for 398 yards and 4 TDs) vs. Indiana 

Defense: NT Malik McDowell (career high eight tackles and 4.5 TFLs) vs. Maryland 

Defense: LB Jon Reschke (6 tackles; help limit OSU to 132 total yards) vs. Ohio State 

Special Teams: PK Michael Geiger (game-winning 41-yard fi eld goal) vs. Ohio State

Michigan State senior DE #89 Shiliquie Calhoun is a three-time all- Big Ten
defensive performer and leads the Spartans from his DE position again.