Week 1 of 2019 College Football

Minnesota Golden Gophers beat the mighty South Dakota State Rackrabbits 28-21 out of FCS on Thursday night in a game that came down to three or so critical plays.

Rankings are from the AP Poll.

Friday
Tulsa at #18 Michigan State
#19 Wisconsin at South Florida
UMass at Rutgers
Purdue at Nevada

Saturday
Florida Atlantic at #5 Ohio State
South Alabama at #24 Nebraska
Howard at Maryland
Akron at Illinois
Indiana vs Ball State
Idaho at #15 Penn State
Northwestern at #25 Stanford
Middle Tennessee at #7 Michigan
Miami (OH) at #20 Iowa

The Big Ten should be a salty football race in 2019.

The Iowa Hawkeyes (9-4 in 2019) are picked any where from first to sixth in the Big Ten West for 2019.

The 21st season under Kirk Ferentz, dean of College Football coaches begins on Saturday, as the Iowa Hawkeyes host Miami-OH (6-6, 6-2 in the MAC in 2018) with a 6:40 PM kickoff on FS1 at Kinnick Stadium.

The Hawkeyes are a 22 point favorite, with an over/under is at 58 points at one point, this past week.

Iowa Hawkeyes 35
Miami-OH 13

The spreads and over/under appear right heading into the 2019 season at Kinnick Stadium.

Jay Norvell was a member of the 1985 Iowa Championship Football team, under fifth year offensive line coach Kirk Ferentz. The Hawkeyes won a critical game at Purdue in 1985.

The Hawkeyes won a #1 vs. #2 showdown earlier in the season against Michigan. On the final play of the game, the Hawkeyes kicked a game winning field goal to win 12-10.

Jim Harbaugh enters his fifth season, as head coach at Michigan in 2019. Many have the Wolverines #1 in the Big Ten, and a possible College Football Playoff contender?

Jay Norvell is in his third season at Nevada, as head coach. Congratulations on his Week 1 win against Purdue, with a walk off game winning field goal, by a freshman placekicker.

The 2019 season should be a great season for the Iowa Hawkeyes win, lose and unlike the 1985, where a team could draw.

We don't see the Big Ten in the College Football Playoff in 2019. The Big Ten should be very salty week after week.

Welcome to the 2019 College Football season.

A look at the Big Ten teams, after Week 1 of the 2018 College Football season

Have a problem with @JLaurinaitis55 keeping Michigan at No. 3?

He hears you, but there's a reason he isn't dropping the Wolverines.

Get his latest power rankings, presented by @ArcelorMittalUS. pic.twitter.com/1ii71JPunF

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 3, 2018

There are various schools of thoughts, when it comes to Top 25 ratings and conference power ratings heading into each season. Around the country, there are certain programs that often are ranked on reputation.

For example, last year, Florida State was a prime example of a school expected to finish in the Top 5, but at season's end, it finished 7-6, with wins over Delaware State, a 4-7 Florida, ULM and a bowl win over Southern Miss to take a 3-6 record and finish with a winning record. Florida State is often one of the most overrated programs each year, in College Football.

Another team with plenty of questions to answer entering 2018 is Michigan. The Wolverines finished 8-5 last year, with three straight losses @ Wisconsin, against Ohio State and in the bowl game against South Carolina. Now, they have lost four straight, with the 24-17 loss @ Notre Dame to open 2018 College Football season.

My problem with Michigan at #3 in the Big Ten power ratings is based on what have they done to earn the preseason #3 rating in the first place?

Despite a new season, familiar struggles returned for Michigan, as the Wolverines fell to No. 12 Notre Dame.

Game story: https://t.co/9OMMwKQJjl pic.twitter.com/AAkDrkceF4

— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) September 2, 2018

The Big Ten appears to be loaded in 2018? Michigan State and Penn State struggled in Week 1, but they won. Michigan shouldn't be awarded for a moral victory, as James Laurinaitis appears to suggest that should be considered?

Notre Dame is a good program, but ultimately, like with Florida State in 2017. We don't know how good any team may be, until after enough games are played. Notre Dame lost to Georgia, @ Miami-FL and @ Stanford last year, so good losses. They are often overrated.

There are five college football teams that are continually overrated.

Notre Dame.
Texas.
Michigan.
USC.
FSU.

I never trust their rankings until the season's progressed a ways.

— Connor Mighell (@cmigbear) September 4, 2018

Michigan and Nebraska are two Big Ten programs that are often among the Top 7 schools overrated in preseason ratings. Texas is the most common example. On Saturday, they clearly rose up and demonstrated why, when they fell 34-29 @ Maryland in a game played in Landover, MD.

Deja vu for the Longhorns.

Texas loses to Maryland in back-to-back season openers. pic.twitter.com/W7C1JDJGJb

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 1, 2018

So, after Week 1, here are the Big Ten power ratings ....

1. Wisconsin (1-0) - the Badgers have won 3 of the first 4 West division titles; and 5 of the first 7 division titles, when you toss in the first 3 seasons of Leaders and Legends, when division play began in the 2011 season in the Big Ten. Week 1 - beat Georgia State 34-3. Week 2 - vs. New Mexico (1-0) - first meeting between each program.
2. Michigan State (1-0) - the Spartans return 19 starters from last year's team, including one 3 OT loss @ Northwestern. It's not uncommon for Mark Dantonio teams to start slowly. The Spartans won the Big Ten in 2015. Week 1 - beat Utah State 38-31. Week 2 - @ Arizona State (1-0) - which is certainly going to be a big test, at night, in the Valley of the Sun! 
3. Ohio State (1-0) - the Buckeyes have had some off the field issues, since Big Ten Media Days. In the past two seasons, OSU has lost two games by 31 points. The Buckeyes won the Big Ten last year. Week 1 - destroyed Oregon State 77-31. Week 2 - vs. Rutgers (1-0), as head coach Urban Meyer returns to practice on Tuesday, but Meyer's three game suspension remains in force.
4. Penn State (1-0) - the Nittany Lions enter 2018 needing to replace play-makers on offense and welcome a new offensive coordinators. They won the Big Ten in 2016. Week 1 - beat Appalachian State 45-37 in OT. Week 2 - @ Pittsburgh (1-0), the Panthers beat the Nittany Lions here in 2016, so this one should be very interesting.
5. Northwestern (1-0, 1-0 B1G West) - the Wildcats opened 2018 in conference play for the first time in a long, long while. Week 1 - won @ Purdue 31-27, as two QB system of Clayton Thorson and T.J. Green is utilized by head coach Pat Fitzgerald. Week 2 - vs. Duke (1-0), who beat the Wildcats 41-17, after the Wildcats had won back to back non-conference games against the Blue Devils in previous seasons.
6. Iowa (1-0) - the Hawkeyes tallied the 144th win to boost Kirk Ferentz into the all-time win leader, as head coach. Week 1 - beat Northern Illinois 33-7. Week 2 - CyHawk game against Iowa State (0-0), who are looking to complete a game, after thunderstorms shelved their opener on Saturday night.
7. Michigan (0-1) - the Wolverines have one victory over a rival entering the fourth season of head coach Jim Harbaugh. The Wolverines will get plenty of opportunities to move up, since they play 1-5 in conference play. Week 1 - lost @ Notre Dame 24-17. Week 2 - vs. Western Michigan (0-1), the Wolverines should be safe in another home opener, having won 25 of last 28.
8. Purdue (0-1, 0-1 B1G West) - the Boilermakers play two quarterbacks and often the old saying with quarterbacks, if you have two, you likely have none. This appeared to be the case, watching game one. Week 1 - lost to Northwestern 31-27. Week 2 - vs. Eastern Michigan (1-0), who will start former Iowa QB Tyler Wiegers, who had a solid first start for the Eagles.
9. Indiana (1-0) - the Hoosiers were the only Big Ten team to pick up a win on the road to open the season. Week 1 - won @ FIU 38-28 to pick up first win of season. Week 2 - vs. Virginia (1-0), as the Hoosiers have won 14 of the past 16 home openers.
10. Nebraska (0-0) - the Scott Frost era has to wait one week to officially kickoff, after a thunderstorm Saturday night canceled the home opener. Week 1 - vs. Akron - canceled. Week 2 - vs. Colorado (1-0), the Huskers have won three straight in the series and three straight in Lincoln. Last meeting was 2010.
11. Rutgers (1-0) - the Scarlet Knights open the third season, with head coach Chris Ash. Week 1 - won 35-10 over Texas State. Week 2 - @ Ohio State (1-0), the Buckeyes defeated the Scarlet Knights 56-0 last season in New Brunswick, after 58-0 previously in Columbus.
12. Maryland (1-0) - the Terrapins opened 2018, with new offensive coordinator Matt Canada, also in the interim head coach role, after D.J. Durkin was placed on administrative leave in August. Week 1 - beat Texas 34-29 to begin back to back seasons, with an upset win over a ranked Longhorns team (note - not ranked in my Top 25). Week 2 - @ Bowling Green (0-1), which is ironically Durkin's alma mater.
13. Minnesota (1-0) - the Golden Gophers opened the second year under head coach P.J. Fleck, with another non-conference win. They Golden Gophers are 4-0 OOC under Fleck. Week 1 - beat New Mexico State 48-10. Week 2 - vs. Fresno State (1-0), the Bulldogs were 10-4 last season and are likely the best non-conference, since Fleck arrived that the Golden Gophers have lined up against.
14. Illinois (1-0) - the Fighting Illini entered 2018, coming off a ten game losing streak. Week 1 - despite playing from behind much of the game, Illinois beat Kent State 31-24. Week 2 - vs. Western Illinois (0-1), the Fighting Illini are 2-0 in this series outscoring the Leathernecks 65-0.

Week 2: Two more Big Ten teams take the field, while the top match ups take place out West involving Pac 12 teams

Two more games involving Big Ten programs kickoff Week 1 of the 2018 College Football season on Friday night, as games kicked off in Minneapolis and West Lafayette on Thurday night involving three B1G teams.

2018 Season Trailer. Leave the jersey in a better place.
#HEAVE pic.twitter.com/16AwI3GDJh

— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) August 31, 2018

#9 Michigan State (10-3 in '17) kicks off the 12th season under Mark Dantonio, as Utah State (6-7) comes to East Lansing, after opening at Wisconsin in 2018. Over in Madison, the #8 Wisconsin Badgers (13-1) kickoff 2018 against Western Kentucky (6-7) on Friday night

The Wisconsin Badgers went undefeated for the first time in
the regular season last year, in program history. Can they
hit higher heights in the 2018 College Football season?

• #35 Northwestern 31, #36 Purdue 27, as both team relied on two quarterbacks in a competitive game, where the Boilermakers fell behind by 14 points on two occasions, the second time leading to the difference in the game.
• Minnesota 48, New Mexico State 10, as Golden Gophers true freshman QB Zack Annexstad made his debut as the #1 quarterback. Can he whether a 12 game schedule appears to be the first question, after the experience in Game 1?

Friday, August 31st
Syracuse at Western Michigan	5:00 pm	CBSSN
Army at Duke	6:00 pm	ESPNU
Utah State at #9 Michigan State	6:00 pm	BTN
#45 San Diego State at #12 Stanford	8:00 pm	FS1
Western Kentucky at #8 Wisconsin	8:00 pm	ESPN
Colorado vs. Colorado State (Denver)	8:30 pm	CBSSN
The 2018 College Football Season kicked on Thursday ....
Monmouth at Eastern Michigan	5:30 pm	$espn+ Video
Portland State at Nevada	8:00 pm	MWC Video

Preseason has ended: Bring on the 2018 Big Ten Football

So, who do we like in the Big Ten pecking order, as we kickoff the 2018 College Football Season begins tonight?

All five returning starters are back for the 2018 UW Badgers,
who have won 3 out of 4 West divisions, since 2014 and the
kickoff of the College Football Playoff. Can they win the B1G?

• #1 Wisconsin (13-1) - the loaded offense and 34-7 over the past 3 seasons under HC Paul Chryst makes the Badgers the team to beat in the West and a likely participant in Indianapolis in 2018 ....

Junior QB 14 Brian Lewerke leads the MSU Spartans and
the hope to pull the rope back into Indianapolis, after missing
last season. Behind UW, who have been to five Big Ten Title
games. The Spartans have been to three themselves.

• #2 Michigan State (10-3) - HC Mark Dantonio returns 19 starters from last year and a favorable schedule, with key games coming to East Lansing in 2018 ....

Member of the Ohio State of Trustees resigned over the light
punishment given to Urban Meyer in light of the August news
unfolding in Columbus, leading to the suspension of Meyer
and athletic direction Gene Smith. Meyer loses 3 games in 2018.

• #3 Ohio State (12-2) - the off the field issues surround HC Urban Meyer's program should likely knock the Buckeyes lower, but we shall see how the football plays out in 2018 ....

The Penn State Nittany Lions return senior QB Trace McSorley, but some top
play-makers have moved onto the NFL and new players will need to step up
at RB, WR and TE for the 2018 College Football season.

• #4 Penn State (12-2) - the Nittany Lions are seeking to get back to the Big Ten title game, after falling short last year. New players will have to step up and HC James Franklin will have his third OC, since arriving in State College, in 2014.

Junior Ole Miss QB transfer 2 Shea Patterson will engineer the
4th season of Michigan football under HC Jim Harbaugh, as
the Wolverines travel to South Bend, to face Notre Dame.

• #5 Michigan (8-5) - the Wolverines fell short last season and were the only Big Ten bowl team, out of eight bowl participants, to lose their bowl match up. The defense should be strong, but how will the offense step up in 2018 ....

Northwestern senior QB 18 Clayton Thorson is coming off knee
surgery and is questionable for the B1G season opener tonight.

• #6 Winner of Northwestern (10-3) @ Purdue (7-6) - the Wildcats beat the Boilermakers 23-13 last season, it appears more and more likely junior QB T.J. Green will have to lead his team into West Lafayette for a program known for slow starts lately under HC Pat Fitzgerald ....



It's about that time! To Fight For Iowa | #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/2s6cXSIIsC

— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) August 30, 2018



• #7 Iowa (8-5) - the Hawkeyes are seeking to get back in the West division title position, after back to back seasons falling short against the Badgers and Wildcats. How much has Iowa's offense, defense and special teams improved this off season, as the Hawkeyes enter the 20th season under HC Kirk Ferentz?

The Boilermakers have two QBs coming off injuries. Tonight,
the QB jerseys stay off and the 2018 starter will make his debut
for the 2nd season of Purdue football under Jeff Brohm. Will
it be senior 11 David Blough or junior 2 Elijah Sindelar at QB?

• #8 Loser of Northwestern (10-3) @ Purdue (7-6) - the Boilermakers only return four defensive starters from last season, so how fast can they get out of the blocks, after a strong first season under Jeff Brohm, know mostly for offense?

New HC Scott Frost returns to Nebraska in 2018. A place back
 in 1997, where he lead the Dr. Tom Osborne to the Cornhuskers last
co-national championship, shared with the Michigan Wolverines.

• #9 Nebraska (4-8) - the Huskers will open the 2018 season, with a true freshman at QB, with an offense, with talent in the skill positions, but questions in the trenches and with zero Blackshirts to pass out Day 1 ....

The Indiana Hoosiers head to Florida to kickoff the 2018 College
Football season at Florida International (8-5).

• #10 Indiana (5-7) - the Hoosiers enter the second straight season under HC Tom Allen, who continues to lead the IU defensive unit, as well.

Like Nebraska and Minnesota, Rutgers will ask a true freshman,
QB 8 Artur Sikowski, to lead the Scarlet Knights offense in 2018.

• #11 Rutgers (4-8) - the Scarlet Knights enter the third season under HC Chris Ash, who will have his third offensive coordinator to lead the offense. How will Rutgers step up in the trenches, when they get into Big Ten play?

This was supposed to be D.J. Durkin's third season at the helm
of the Maryland Terrapins. But, following the release of a player's
autopsy, the media found underlying questions of abuse in the
Maryland football program. Durkin hasn't been fired, but members
of the strength and conditioning program are gone and plenty of ???  

• #12 Maryland (4-8) - the Terrapins turn to first-year offensive coordinator Matt Canada to lead the program, as D.J. Dirkin remains on administrative leave. Injuries hampered the quarterback position last season, as five players took the position. Can this team weather the storm in 2018?

Year 0 is in the books, as HC P.J. Fleck and the Minnesota Golden
Gophers open 2018 against New Mexico State (0-1 in '18,
7-6 in '17) in TCF Bank Stadium tonight. Row the boat ....

• #13 Minnesota (5-7) - the Golden Gophers will be the third B1G program turning to a true freshman quarterback to run their offense. The Gophers should be more physically ready to compete in 2018.

Coming off a 2-10 season, is Lovie Smith on the hot seat entering this year? pic.twitter.com/4ZmM4dAkDh

— Outside The Lines (@OTLonESPN) August 30, 2018

• #14 Illinois (2-10) - the Fighting Irish enter 2018 coming off a ten game losing streak, as HC Lovie Smith brings in a new offensive coordinator and the spread offense, last played at Arizona and Michigan, as Rod Smith returns to B1G to serve under HC Lovie Smith.

Week 1 - College Football kicks off on Thursday Night

The #1 question surrounding #35 Northwestern is whether senior
QB 18 Clayton Thorson will be able to start in the Big Ten opener
@ #36 Purdue on Thursday night? A 7 PM kickoff on ESPN.

Three Big Ten teams kick off the 2018 season of College Football on Thursday night, including a B1G East showdown in West Lafayette, between #35 Northwestern @ #36 Purdue. The Wildcats took care of business in Evanston last season, 23-13 against the Boilermakers.

Sun Times Preview of Northwestern-Purdue

In Minneapolis, Minnesota opens up the season against New Mexico State (0-1), who opened last Saturday at home, in a 29-7 loss against Wyoming. New Mexico State finished 2017, with a 7-6 record, while the Golden Gophers were 5-7 in the debut of head coach P.J. Fleck.

New Mexico State @ Minnesota with a 6 PM start on the Big Ten Network.

Thursday, August 30th
New Mexico State (0-1) at Minnesota	6:00 pm	BTN
#23 UCF at UConn	6:00 pm	ESPNU
CCSU at Ball State	6:00 pm	$espn+ Video
Kennesaw State at Georgia State	6:00 pm	$espn+ Video
Missouri State at #22 Oklahoma State	7:00 pm	FS1
#35 Northwestern at #36 Purdue	7:00 pm	ESPN
Wake Forest at Tulane	7:00 pm	CBSSN
Weber State at #33 Utah	7:00 pm	PAC-12 Network
Savannah State at UAB	7:00 pm	$espn+ Video
Southeastern Louisiana at Louisiana Monroe	7:00 pm	$espn+ Video
2018 College Football Season
Northwestern State at # Texas A&M	7:30 pm	SEC Network
Portland State at Nevada	8:00 pm	MWC Video
UC Davis at San Jose State	9:00 pm	No TV

Texas A&M kicks off the Jimbo Fisher era on Thursday night in College Station.
After eight seasons at Florida State, Fisher brings a 83-23 record to A&M.
Northwestern State (4-7 in FCS) is the opening game opponent this season.

Gameday: Battle for Floyd of Rosedale at Kinnick

Iowa City, IA -- The Iowa Hawkeyes (4-3, 1-3 B1G West) seek to rebound against Minnesota (4-3, 1-3 B1G West) and retain the Floyd of Rosedale trophy, after a disappointing 17-10 overtime loss at Northwestern.

Kirk Ferentz is the Dean of College Football now at Iowa, while P.J. Fleck is in his first season as head coach for the Golden Gophers.

Both teams are struggling in phases of the game. Our pick tonight at Kinnick Stadium:

IOWA 19
Minnesota 17

Thursday night kickoff of the 2016 College Football season

Cedar Rapids, IA -- Well, here's our projected Final 4 for the College Football Playoff, we can dream, can't we, for the 2016 College Football gods can give a little love for the home team?

• Clemson
• LSU
• Oklahoma
• Stanford or Iowa (actually, I said Washington from the Pac 12, since the 2016 Rose Bowl is history) ...

It is hard to pick two from the same conference, but with the strength throughout the Pac 12 and Big Ten, we may see a chance for the ACC and SEC will argue for two programs from the same division, as the season plays out?

Now, a look at the first kickoff in Week 1, Thursday, September 1st : 

Rankings are from Stassen.com preseason consensus polls. Forty-eight teams were picked in at least one Top 25 poll heading into the 2016 College Football season.

Popular tradition in the State of Utah:
The Beehive Boot.

• Charlotte at #21 Louisville 6:00 pm on FSN Affiliates / (ACC-RSN) - The bottom of the C-USA East travels to take on the #3 projection in the ACC Coastal ... pick the favorite!
• Maine at UConn 6:00 pm on (NESN+ / CSCA) / espn3 / ASN (affiliates) - Kirk Ferentz at Iowa got his first head coaching start at Maine in 1989. UConn coach Bob Diaco is a former Iowa player, so the Huskies should take care of business here! 
• #42 Appalachian State at #7 Tennessee 6:30 pm on SECN - Can the #1 choice in the Sun Belt upset the #7 ranked Volunteers ... is this 2007 and Ann Arbor ... we can only dream right?
• Indiana at Florida International 6:30 pm ESPNU - The Big Ten kicks off the 2016 College Football season, with two games on tap this evening. IU took care of business in Bloomington, but how will an early road test be for these Hoosiers? The Hoosiers are coming off a bowl season, for the first time, since 2007. FIU is picked #6 in the C-USA East ... 
• Rice at #41 Western Kentucky 7:00 pm on CBSSN - A conference opener against cross-division opponents in Conference USA ... Go WKU!
• South Carolina at Vanderbilt 7:00 pm on ESPN - Kickoff the 2016 SEC East season for the Gamecocks and the Commendores in Nashville ... both teams are picked by many to fight it out for the cellar in the East!
• Southern Utah at #40 Utah 7:00 pm on PAC-12 Network - It is the battle for the Beehive Boot tonight in Utah ... well, not quite, since Southern Utah isn't BYU, Utah or Utah State, but they are the #23 program in the FCS heading into 2016 ...
• Montana State at Idaho 8:00 pm ALT / espn3 - Could this be a FCS upset over a FBS program tonight?
• Oregon State at Minnesota 8:00 pm on BTN - One talking head over at ESPN suggests the Golden Gophers could be the #1 team in 2016 in the Big Ten West race. The Beavers are picked for the cellar again in the Pac 12 North in 2016 ... Pac 12 vs. B1G!
• South Dakota at New Mexico 8:00 pm on RSNW / RSRM - Another, FCS vs. FBS match up ...
• Jackson State at UNLV 9:00 pm on on MWC Video - The Rebels need to win games against programs only receiving votes in the FCS ...
• Presbyterian at Central Michigan 6:00 pm on espn3 - The Chippewas kickoff 2016 at home against an FCS program ...
• Tulane at Wake Forest 6:00 pm on WatchESPN - Tulane is picked last in the C-USA West, while Wake Forest is picked second to last in the ACC Atlantic ahead of Syracuse ...
• UT Martin at Cincinnati 6:00 pm on espn3 -The Bearcats are picked #3 in the AAC East heading into 2016 ...
• Weber State at Utah State 7:00 pm on MWC Video / Twitter Video - Clearly, this would be a disappointing FCS upset over a middle of the road MWC Mountain opponent ...
• William & Mary at North Carolina State 6:30 pm on WatchESPN - A #10 FCS program against an ACC Atlantic program picked #4 in the division ...

Big Ten looks to break .500 in the Quick Lane Bowl, as Minnesota faces Central Michigan

The Big Ten Conference opened the 2015-16 bowl season with an OT loss in the Pinstripe Bowl (Duke over Indiana) and a eight point win (Nebraska over UCLA) in the Foster Farms Bowl over the Christmas weekend. Next up: MAC vs. Big Ten, as the Big Ten faces its lone non-Power 5 match up of the bowl season.

The Huskers have appeared in a bowl game in 45 of the last 47 seasons

FOSTER FARMS BOWL: Nebraska 37, UCLA 29 - The Cornhuskers rushed for 326 yards and four touchdowns en route to a 37-29 victory over UCLA Saturday night in the Foster Farms Bowl. Quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. threw for 174 yards and a touchdown and carried the ball 10 times for 76 yards and another score on the ground in the contest. Recap

Indiana came up short against Duke at Yankee Stadium. IU was playing in only
second bowl, since 1994, with game in Pinstripe Bowl.

NEW ERA PINSTRIPE BOWL: Duke 44, Indiana 41 (OT) - Duke earned a 44-41 overtime victory in the 2015 New Era Pinstripe Bowl on Saturday, as Indiana closed out its first bowl game since 2007 and 10th in program history. The back-and-forth game featured nine lead changes and three ties. It also saw numerous offensive records set and six turnovers combined in a game where momentum seemed to be hanging in the balance throughout. Recap

Minnesota looks to get to 6-7, as Nebraska did as one of two Big Ten teams,
with losing records playing in 2015-16 bowls.

• QUICK LANE BOWL: Central Michigan (7-5) vs. Minnesota (5-7) - kickoff at 4:00 pm on ESPN2 * Big Ten preview

Five things the Golden Gophers would like you to know about the 2015 Quick Lane Bowl from Detroit ...

1. Minnesota will play Central Michigan in the 2015 Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit. Minnesota is 1-0 all-time against Central Michigan, as the Gophers won 30-10 at the Metrodome on Sept. 16, 1987. In that game, Rickie Foggie, Darrell Thompson and Gary Couch rushed for touchdowns and Chip Lohmiller kicked three field goals in the win. The Quick Lane Bowl marks Minnesota's first bowl game appearance in Michigan and is the Gophers first trip to the Great Lake State since it won 30-14 at Michigan on Sept. 27, 2014. 

The Golden Gophers are under first-year coach Tracy Claeys, who replaced Jerry
Kill mid-season, after Kill retired, due to ongoing health concerns.

2. Minnesota, which owns a 5-7 record, earned a bid into the Quick Lane Bowl this year based on the team's high APR mark of 975. The Quick Lane Bowl is the 18th bowl game that Minnesota will play in and is the fourth-straight bowl game for the Gophers. The four straight bowl games is the second longest stretch in team history, as Minnesota played in five straight bowl games spanning the 2002-06 seasons. Minnesota is 6-11 all-time in bowl games but has lost its last seven bowl games (five by four points or less). Minnesota's last win in a bowl game was a 20-16 victory against Alabama in the 2004 Music City Bowl where both Marion Barber III and Laurence Maroney rushed for more than 100 yards.

3. Minnesota has played one of the toughest schedules in the nation this year. The Gophers have faced (AP rankings at time of the game) No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 TCU, No. 8 Iowa, No. 15 Michigan and No. 16 Northwestern. Minnesota also played Wisconsin, who ended the season ranked No. 23. The Gophers faced three top-15 teams in Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa in three straight weeks. The last time Minnesota played three straight games against top 15 teams was 2002 when it played No. 6 Ohio State, No. 13 Michigan and No. 6 Iowa. Baylor was the only other team in the regular season to play three straight top-15 opponents, as it played No. 12 Oklahoma and No. 4 Oklahoma State and No. 15 TCU.

4. Minnesota was the only Big Ten team to play (rankings at time of game) No. 1 Ohio State, No. 8 Iowa, No. 15 Michigan, No. 16 Northwestern and Wisconsin this year. Those teams have a combined 51-10 record and Minnesota's seven defeats have come to teams (Iowa, Ohio State, Northwestern, TCU, Michigan, Wisconsin and Nebraska) with a combined 66-19 record (Nebraska has 7 of 19 losses). If Michigan and Wisconsin win their bowl games then the Gophers would have faced six teams (in addition to Iowa, Ohio State, Northwestern and TCU) who won at least 10 games this season.

5. Nine of Minnesota's 12 regular season opponents will play in a bowl game this year. Those nine opponents have a combined record of 81-28 and all won at least seven games. Minnesota posted a home win against Ohio (Bobcats ended season at 8-4) and ended Colorado State's school record nine-game home winning streak (Rams finished the season at 7-5). Minnesota's regular season opponents will play in the Rose Bowl (Iowa), Fiesta Bowl (Ohio State), Outback Bowl (Northwestern), Citrus Bowl (Michigan), Alamo Bowl (TCU), Holiday Bowl (Wisconsin), Foster Farms Bowl (Nebraska), Camellia Bowl (Ohio) and Arizona Bowl (Colorado State).

Michigan State, Iowa and eight other Big Ten teams heading to Bowl Games in 2015-16

Michigan State represents the Big Ten in the Cotton Bowl, as one part of the
National CFP semi-finals. Iowa and Ohio State are headed to College Football
Playoff  bowls, as well, with dates in the Rose and Fiesta, respectively. 

IOWA CITY, IA -- Following its 16-13 win over Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game, Michigan State has reached the College Football Playoff, while the Hawkeyes are headed to its first Rose Bowl Game in 25 years. Eight other Big Ten teams are headed to bowl games, including two 5-7 programs, due to open bowl slots in 2015-16.

In the final 27 seconds in Indianapolis, Michigan State knocked off Iowa,
16-13, to move into the Top 4 for the College Football Playoffs.

The Spartans (12-1, 7-1 Big Ten) were named the third seed in the four-team playoff and will play second-seeded and SEC Champion Alabama (12-1, 7-1 SEC) in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on Thursday, Dec. 31 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (time 7 p.m. CST; TV: ESPN).

No. 1 seed Clemson (13-0) will face No. 4 Oklahoma (11-1) in the Capital One Orange Bowl, also on Dec. 31 at 3 p.m. CST.

The 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game is set for Jan. 11 in Glendale, Arizona, at University of Phoenix Stadium. Ohio State won last year's National Championship in North Dallas, over Oregon 42-20 to finish 14-1.

The 2015 Iowa team captains heading out for the coin toss during the Big Ten
Championship Game with Michigan State on Saturday night in Indianapolis.

The University of Iowa has accepted an invitation to participate in the 102nd Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena, California. The Rose Bowl is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. (CST), on Friday, Jan. 1. The game will be televised by ESPN from the Rose Bowl (89,105). Fifth-ranked Iowa meet, Pac-12 champion and sixth-ranked Stanford (11-2).

For the first time, Iowa and Stanford will meet in a football game, as each
accepted bowl bids the Rose Bowl Game, a tradition between the Big Ten
vs. the Pac 12. The Hawkeyes haven't been in Pasadena in 25 years, while
the Cardinal are playing in its third Rose Bowl in four years.

The Hawkeyes are making their sixth appearance in the Rose Bowl, but their first appearance in Pasadena since 1991. The Hawkeyes are 2-3 in past Rose Bowl contests with their last victory coming in 1959 against California. Iowa has posted a 14-13-1 record in 28 previous bowl appearances.

Iowa won the Big Ten Conference West Division with a record of 12-1, including 8-0 in Big Ten play. The Hawkeyes' only loss came against No. 3 Michigan State (16-13) in the Big Ten Championship Game on Saturday in Indianapolis.

Stanford is lead by Heisman Trophy finalist senior AP offensive performer  #5
running back Christian McCaffery for the Cardinal coach David Shaw. 

This will be the first ever meeting between Iowa and Stanford. The Hawkeyes are 28-36-1 all-time against current teams in the Pac-12.

Iowa ranks third among Big Ten teams in bowl appearances and is bowl eligible for the 13th time under coach head Kirk Ferentz. Iowa has posted a 6-5 bowl record under Ferentz, including wins in four of seven January bowl games. Since the 2001 season, no Big Ten team has won more bowl games, or has a higher winning percentage in bowl games, than Iowa.

The Big Ten, Pac 12 and SEC lead the Power 5 conferences will bowl bids,
as the 2015-16 bowl season kicks off on Saturday, December 19th. The Big Ten
will get started after Christmas, on the 26th, when the Pinstripe Bowl is played.

Bowl matchups for the 2015-16 Bowl season.

Big Ten Matches Conference Record with 10 Bowl Teams

For the second straight year and just the third time in conference history, 10 Big Ten schools were selected for bowl competition on Sunday, including three teams earning berths in College Football Playoff bowls. The Big Ten’s total of 10 bowl teams equals the conference record for most bowl berths in a season, matching the 10 postseason teams following the 2011 and 2014 campaigns.

The Michigan State Spartans won its second Big Ten Championship game in
three seasons, with a 16-13 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes. The Spartans have
played in three of the first five Big Ten Championship Games.

Big Ten Champion Michigan State earned a berth in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl. Iowa and Ohio State also will take part in College Football Playoff bowls, with the Hawkeyes heading to the Rose Bowl Game and the Buckeyes earning a spot in the Fiesta Bowl. In addition, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Penn State and Wisconsin collected bids as part of the largest and most diverse postseason lineup in conference history.

Two Big Ten centers are among the three finalists for the Remington Trophy,
as Iowa senior C #63 Austin Blythe and MSU senior C #66 Jack Allen were named.

Iowa returns to the Rose Bowl Game for the first time since a match-up with Washington to conclude the 1990 season. The Hawkeyes were ranked No. 5 by the College Football Playoff selection committee and will face No. 6 Stanford on Jan. 1 in Pasadena, Calif. This will mark the sixth appearance for the Hawkeyes in Pasadena and 68th by a Big Ten squad. The Hawkeyes will be taking part in postseason play for the 29th time.

#8 Notre Dame (10-2) against #7 Ohio State (11-1) in the Fiesta Bowl.

Ohio State will be back in the Fiesta Bowl for the first time since the 2008 season. The Buckeyes (11-1) were ranked No. 7 and will take on No. 8 Notre Dame (10-2) at Noon p.m. CST on Jan. 1 in Glendale, Ariz., a rematch of the 2006 Fiesta Bowl won by the Buckeyes. This will mark the seventh appearance for Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl and the ninth appearance by a Big Ten team. The Buckeyes will make their 46th official postseason appearance.

Rematch of the 2007 season, as Michigan and Florida square off in Orlando.
Michigan won the last game, 41-35, over the Gators. It was Michigan coach
Lloyd Carr's final game. This game matches teams with new head coaches.

No. 14 Michigan (9-3) will take part in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl at Noon CST on Jan. 1 in Orlando, Fla., against No. 19 Florida (10-3). The game will mark the Wolverines’ 44th bowl trip overall and fifth appearance in the Citrus Bowl, the Big Ten’s second-oldest current bowl partner behind only the Rose Bowl Game. Michigan last played in the Citrus Bowl at the conclusion of the 2007 season and defeated the Gators, 41-35. Big Ten teams have played in 25 Citrus Bowls, including each of the last 23 seasons.

#23 Tennessee (8-4) vs. Northwestern (10-2) in the Outback Bowl. The Volunteers
won the TaxSlayer Bowl last season over Iowa. The Wildcats are bowling for
the first time in three seasons, coming off back to back 5-7 seasons, under Pat
Fitzgerald, in his 10th season.

No. 13 Northwestern (10-2) will play in the Outback Bowl for the second time in school history and the first time since the 2009 season. The Wildcats will face No. 23 Tennessee (8-4) at 11 am CST on Jan. 1 in Tampa, Fla. Northwestern will be taking part in a bowl game for the 12th time in program history. The Outback Bowl is the Big Ten’s third-oldest current bowl partner and has been affiliated with the conference since the 1993 season. Big Ten schools have played in 26 Outback Bowls, including each of the last 22 seasons.

#25 USC (8-5) vs. Wisconsin (9-3) will meet in the Holiday Bowl.

Wisconsin (9-3) earned an invitation from the Holiday Bowl to face No. 25 Southern California (8-5) at 9:30 p.m. CST on Dec. 30 in San Diego, Calif. The Badgers are taking part in postseason play for a school-record 14th straight season and are making their 27th bowl appearance. Wisconsin will make its first trip to the Holiday Bowl, which will mark the 11th appearance by a Big Ten team.

Penn State (7-5) vs. Georgia (9-3) meet in the TaxSlayer Bowl.

Penn State will take part in the in the TaxSlayer Bowl at Noon ET on Jan. 2 against Georgia in Jacksonville, Fla. The Nittany Lions will be making their 46th appearance in postseason play and fifth in the TaxSlayer Bowl, with the most recent visit taking place at the conclusion of the 1976 season in what was then known as the Gator Bowl.

Duke (7-5) vs. Indiana (6-6) in the Pinstripe Bowl to kickoff the 2015-168
bowl season for the Big Ten Conference on December 26th. It is the first
bowl game, since 2007.

Indiana (6-6) will make the Big Ten’s second appearance in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at 3:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 26 against Duke (7-5) at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, N.Y. The Hoosiers are making their first postseason trip since the 2007 season and 10th overall. Penn State was victorious in the conference’s first Pinstripe Bowl appearance last season.

Nebraska (5-7) vs. UCLA (8-4) as the programs meet for the third time in
four seasons, but this one is in a bowl game, as two meet in the Foster Farms
Bowl. Mike Riley was 6-2 in bowl games for Oregon State, so it will be interesting.

Nebraska (5-7) will face UCLA (8-4) in the Foster Farms Bowl, scheduled for 8:15 p.m. CST on Dec. 26 in Santa Clara, Calif. Nebraska will make its first appearance in the Foster Farms Bowl, its 52nd bowl appearance overall and will play in a ninth straight postseason game. The contest will mark the fourth time that a current Big Ten team will play in the Foster Farms Bowl, including a 2007 appearance by Maryland in what was then called the Emerald Bowl.

Central Michigan (7-5) vs. Minnesota (5-7) in the Quick Lane Bowl,
as the MAC meets the Big Ten in Detroit.

Minnesota (5-7) earned a berth to face Central Michigan (7-5) in the second annual Quick Lane Bowl at 4 p.m. CST on Dec. 28 in Detroit, Mich. The Gophers will be making their 18th postseason appearance and fourth straight bowl trip. Rutgers earned a victory over North Carolina in the inaugural Quick Lane Bowl last season.

Four Big Ten programs will be home for the Holidays, not reaching bowl games

Illinois named Bill Cubit its coach, after carrying the interim tag most of the
2015 season. Cubit, who was a former head coach in the MAC, was given
a two year contract to lead the Fighting Illini. Illinois bowled in 2014.

• Illinois (5-7) didn't get selected for one of the remaining bowl slots. The Fighting Illini open the 2016 season with Murray State on Saturday, September 3rd.

Purdue hired Darrell Hazell in December 2012 and over three seasons, the
Boilermakers are 1-11, 3-9 and 2-10. There is plenty of work here with only
two Big Ten wins over the past three seasons. Purdue bowled in 2012.

• Purdue (2-10) - The Boilermakers only B1G win was 55-45 against Nebraska in 2015.

Maryland hired Michigan DC D.J. Durkin its newest coach, after firing
Randy Edsall ahead of its bye week. The Terrapins saw its two straight bowl
streak end in 2015. Durkin was a DC previously at Florida, as well.

• Maryland (3-9) - The Terrapins elected to hire a defensive coach, after suggesting they may go with an offensive minded coach, after the firing of Randy Edsall. They have suggested a spread offense will be employed under new coach D.J. Durkin.

After a 4-8 season and plenty of off the field issues, including a three game
suspension of coach Kyle Flood, Rutgers fired Flood and replaced him with
an Iowa native, Drake graduate, Chirs Ash. Ash was a DC at Wisconsin and
Ohio State, most recently. Rutgers last bowled in 2014.

• Rutgers (4-8) - The Scarlet Knights have named Iowa native and Ohio State defensive coordinator Chris Ash its new head coach.

Iowa fans interested in purchasing tickets to the Rose Bowl Game are encouraged to make their request through the UI Athletics Ticket Office. By doing so, fans of the Hawkeyes will help the UI Athletics Department meet its obligation to the bowl game by selling the full allotment of tickets it assumes responsibility for as a participant.

Ticket prices range from $150-$185 with Iowa's ticket allocation located in sections 11-18. A benefit of purchasing bowl game tickets through the UI Athletics Ticket Office is a seat location inside the Rose Bowl among Hawkeye fans.

The UI Athletics Ticket Office will limit orders for game tickets to eight for Kinnick Gold & Kinnick Society; six for Champion Hawks; four for Golden & Silver Hawks; and two for remaining I-Club members, and season ticket holders. UI student season ticket holders may order one ticket and request to be seated with up to eight other students. Fans who are not I-Club or season ticket holders may go online and request to be placed on a waiting list.

The UI Athletics Ticket Office will assign seat location based on ticket orders received by the priority deadline of 5 p.m. CT on Thursday, Dec. 10. The UI Athletics Ticket Office will continue to accept orders for tickets beyond the priority deadline as long as it has ticket inventory available. The UI Athletics Ticket Office will notify fans of their order status by Monday, Dec. 14, at noon CT.

As always, the UI Association will offer an official tour for friends of the UI and fans of the Hawkeyes looking for a turn-key travel solution.

For more information on the Rose Bowl Game visit: www,tournamentofroses.com.

Big Ten Football: B1G East showdowns, while Iowa hits 10-0 for first time in program history ...

Cedar Rapids, IA -- Two of the four Power 5 programs that remain unbeaten come from the Big Ten Conference, as #2 Ohio State (10-0, 6-0 B1G East) and #6 Iowa (10-0, 6-0 B1G West) lead their respective division, heading into the final two weekends of the regular season. We have seen the Buckeyes at 10-0 before, but it is the first time in program history for the Hawkeyes.

Last Saturday, Ohio State defeated Illinois 28-3 in Champaign to capture sixth
B1G win and tenth overall win on the 2015 season. Meyer is now 30-0, in
conference regular season games, since arriving in Columbus in 2012.

Fourth year Ohio State coach Urban Meyer has won thirty straight conference games in the regular season, since joining the program in 2012. Meyer has only three losses, since joining Ohio State and the Big Ten. The lone bowl loss, ironically was against Clemson, in his second season, in the Orange Bowl. Clemson is now #1 in the rankings. The Buckeyes beat current #3 Alabama in last year's College Football Playoff semi-final game, in the Sugar Bowl.

The Iowa Hawkeyes leaned on the TEs in the game on Saturday night against
Minnesota. The Hawkeyes will play in their final home game of the season
on Saturday, when Purdue comes to Kinnick Stadium to face Iowa.

The Hawkeyes have not won a bowl game, since the 2010 season. The Hawkeyes had a 19-21 conference record ahead of this season. The Iowa fan base was frustrated heading into the 2015 season, but with the 40-35 win on Saturday night against Minnesota for their 10th victory on the season ... it has been a 180 degree turn for the Hawkeyes.

Iowa junior CB #14 Desmond King leads Iowa and the Big Ten with 8 of
the Hawkeyes 13 interceptions this season. Back in 2013, Iowa and Ohio State
last played. The Buckeyes edged the Hawkeyes in the 4th quarter, 34-24.

The Buckeyes and Hawkeyes each host Senior Day games on Saturday, as the #7 Michigan State Spartans come to Columbus, and the Purdue Boilermakers comes to Iowa City. The showdown in Columbus is huge, since the Spartans can jump into first place in the B1G East with an upset win over Ohio State. The Hawkeyes need only one more win to wrap up the West division and a date in the Big Ten Championship Game, for the first time.

Iowa leads the West at 6-0, ahead of Wisconsin (5-1) and Northwestern (4-2);
while Ohio State leads the East at 6-0, ahead of Michigan and
Michigan State at 5-1. Penn State needs a lot of help at 4-2.

Since the Big Ten Championship Game, began in 2011, the following programs won the Big Ten:

• Wisconsin in 2011 went 7-2
• Wisconsin in 2012 at 5-4 (Ohio State was undefeated in the Big Ten, but on probation)
• Michigan State in 2013 went 9-0 
• Ohio State in 2014 went 9-0
• The final two weekends will determine who plays in the 2015 Big Ten Championship Game on December 5th ... will it be the Buckeyes and Hawkeyes or will we see some surprises?

ESPN's A team will be on the call on Saturday in Columbus, as former
Ohio State QB Kirk Herbsteit, Heather Cox and Chris Fowler come to town.

Senior Day in Columbus, Ohio State will host Michigan State, as questions surround the health of senior quarterback Connor Cook, who was injured in the Spartans 24-7 win over Maryland on Saturday. Kickoff will be at 2:30 CST on ABC/ESPN as ESPN GameDay comes to Big Ten country, with Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Heather Cox on the call.

Will Michigan State backup QB #7 Tyler O'Connor be the guy leading the
Spartans' offense on Saturday? Or will senior Connor Cook be healthy enough
to lead the Spartans, as Michigan State comes to Columbus on Saturday?

• Ohio State enters the game having won 23 in a row overall, the longest active streak in the nation.
• Ohio State has won a Big Ten-record 30 regular season conference games in a row, a record across the current FBS conference landscape.
• Ohio State leads the B1G in scoring (36.4), pass efficiency (144.1), rushing (244.8) and punting (41.0) and is second in scoring defense (13.8), total offense (453.3) and fewest first downs allowed (15.5).
• Ohio State's defense has surrendered just 8.5 points per game since week 7, the fewest in the FBS.
• Junior running back Ezekiel Elliott leads the Big Ten with 161.7 rushing yards per game in Big Ten play. He has an FBS-leading streak of 15 consecutive games with at least 100 yards rushing.
• With 181 yards at Illinois, Elliott moved into third place on Ohio State's all-time rushing list with 3,565 yards. Eddie George is second with 3,768.
• Sophomore quarterback J.T. Barrett has accounted for a total of 14 TDs in his past 4 games (8 rushing, 6 passing).
• Junior wide receiver Michael Thomas has caught a pass in 26 consecutive games. He leads the team with 45 catches for 651 yards and 8 TDs.
• Junior defensive end Joey Bosa leads the Big Ten with 12.5 TFL in Big Ten play. He tied a career high with 3.0 TFL in the win at Illinois.
• Urban Meyer has the highest winning percentage (.854) among active coaches with at least 10 years of experience. He is a perfect 28-0 in games played in October (14-0) & November (14-0) at Ohio State.

PENN STATE vs. MICHIGAN

Senior Day in Happy Valley, Penn State (7-3, 4-2 B1G East) hosts Michigan to close out the B1G home slate of the 2015 season. Last year, the Wolverines surprised the Nittany Lions 18-13, in James Franklin's first season at the helm at Penn State. The Nittany Lions are coming off a bye week, while Michigan is coming off a 48-41 2OT win @ Indiana. Kickoff at Beaver Stadium will be 11 a.m. CST on ABC.

Michigan graduate student QB #15 Jake Rudock and senior WR #86 Julu Chesson
each won co-B1G offensive player of the week honors, in the win @ IU. Rudock
transferred from Iowa, after being a two year starter for the Hawkeyes.

Jim Harbaugh is in his first season, as head coach for his alma mater, Michigan. The Wolverines are 8-2 overall, with a lone B1G loss on the final play at home against Michigan State. Michigan is performing very well, in Harbaugh's first season. The next two games against Penn State and vs. Ohio State could really spark an interesting story. 

Michigan QB #15 Jake Rudock leading the Wolverines offense in win over IU.

Michigan's quarterback dialed up a record-setting effort under center, completing 33-of-46 passes for 440 yards, with six touchdowns to one interception. Rudock's 33 completions are tied for second most by any Wolverine in one game, trailing only Tom Brady's 34 in Michigan's 2000 Orange Bowl win over Alabama, which came on the same number of pass attempts. Rudock's final three pass attempts were all touchdowns against the Hoosiers.

According to ESPN Stats and Info, Rudock is the first Big Ten quarterback to throw for 400 yards and six touchdowns in a game since Kyle Orton accomplished the feat at Purdue in 2004, and just the second in the last 20 years.

First year Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh took over a team that finished 5-7 in
2014. The Wolverines head to State College with a 8-2 record in 2015.

An interesting two week journey could create a storybook ending for two quarterbacks that were 1-2 for the Iowa Hawkeyes last year. If Ohio State beats Michigan State and the Michigan Wolverines closeout  2015 win wins @ Penn State and the B1G finale over Ohio State in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines and Hawkeyes could meet in the 2015 B1G title game in Indianapolis on December 5th. The Hawkeyes can clinch the Big Ten West with a win on Saturday against Purdue.

Penn State junior NT #99 Austin Johnson and redshirt freshman LB #42 Troy Reeder
in the Northwestern game that the Nittany Lions played ahead of the bye week.

Penn State will look to complete its first undefeated home season since 2008, and extend a three-game home winning streak over Michigan that dates back to the same year. The last meeting in Beaver Stadium between the two teams was a historic one, as Penn State prevailed 43-40 in four overtimes for the longest game in the history of the Big Ten.

Iowa clinches the B1G West with a win over Purdue on Saturday.

Purdue (2-8, 1-5 B1G West) heads to Iowa for the 86th meeting between the schools on Saturday, with an 11 a.m. CST kickoff on ESPN 2. Purdue is 3-11 against a ranked Iowa team in program history. Purdue last beat a ranked Iowa team in 2003, when the No. 16 Boilermakers defeated the No. 10 Hawkeyes 27-14 in West Lafayette.

Iowa junior QB #16 C.J. Beathard in the Hawkeyes 40-35 win against Minnesota.

Iowa QB C.J. Beathard became the first Iowa quarterback to win his first career start in a road game since Jason Manson in 2006, in last year's 24-10 Hawkeye win @ Purdue. Beathard's start snapped a streak of 17 consecutive starts by QB Jake Rudock in 2014. Beathard completed 17-of-37 passes for 245 yards passing and one touchdown. He also rushed eight times for 29 yards. 

Now the starter in 2015, Beathard has won his first 11 games as a starter for the Iowa Hawkeyes, dating back to last year's start at Purdue. In Iowa’s last 11 games, including the 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl, Beathard’s fourth quarter numbers include 35-of-49 passing for 500 yards and four touchdowns, and 17 carries for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Beathard did not play in the fourth quarter against North Texas.

Iowa senior DE #34 Nate Meier against Minnesota freshman RB #27 Shannon
Brooks, who was recognized as the B1G Freshman of the Week, this week.

Beathard and the Hawkeyes’ rush defense have dominated the fourth quarter in 2015. Iowa’s rush defense, the No. 3 defense in the conference, has yielded 191 total rushing yards in the fourth quarter this season (19.1 yards per game).

Beathard is 28-of-42 passing for 405 yards and two touchdowns. He has also rushed 15 times for 42 yards and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter this season. He has engineered game-winning drives in the fourth quarter two times this season (Iowa State and Pitt). He was 4-of-4 for 46 yards and a touchdown against Iowa State, and he rushed for 27 yards on three carries to set up K Marshall Koehn’s 57-yard game winning field goal against Pitt.

During the Iowa-Maryland game, honorary captain Zach Johnson and 2015
game captains, C #63 Austin Blythe, FS #27 Jordan Lomax, QB #16 C.J. Beathard
and DE Drew Ott, who was lost to a season ending injury vs. Illinois.

Iowa's Senior Day will see 21 players wrap up their home career at Iowa. Senior members of the Iowa football program include C Austin Blythe, RB Jordan Canzeri, DT Darian Cooper (who has missed his senior season due to injury), FB Adam Cox, CB Sean Draper, TE Jake Duzey, WLB Cole Fisher, WR Jacob Hillyer, P Dillon Kidd, PK Marshall Koehn, TE Henry Krieger Coble, FS Jordan Lomax, DE Nate Meier, DE Drew Ott (season ending injury vs. Illinois), LB Travis Perry, FB Macon Plewa, C/G Eric Simmons, WR Tevaun Smith, DE Melvin Spears, WR Andrew Stone, and RG Jordan Walsh.

Purdue redshirt freshman QB #11 David Blough completed 28 of 43 pass attempts
 for 274 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. He added 82 yards
 rushing on 10 carries, including a 56-yard touchdown run to open the scoring for the
Boilermakers in the first quarter of the 55-45 win over Nebraska.

Purdue redshirt freshman QB David Blough is scheduled to make his eight straight start, which will give him the most consecutive starts by a Purdue quarterback in the same season since Caleb TerBush started 13 games in 2011.

Purdue scored a touchdown on its first offensive play from scrimmage last week - a 68-yard touchdown pass from QB Blough to junior WR Domonique Young. It is the longest play Northwestern has allowed all season. Purdue lost at Northwestern 21-14 last Saturday, while Iowa won at Northwestern 40-10 earlier in Big Ten play.

The Iowa Hawkeyes in Kinnick Stadium ahead of Minnesota game.

Iowa has its best start in program history (10-0), due to excelling in all three phases of the game.

On Offense:

• Iowa has scored 30 points or more in four straight Big Ten games for the first time in school history. 
• Iowa has a balanced offense. Its 4,214 total yards are divided by 2,117 yards rushing, and 2,097 yards passing. Iowa has 30 rushing touchdowns, first in the Big Ten and fifth nationally. 
• Iowa ranks second in the Big Ten with 14 scrimmage plays of 40-plus yards. The Hawkeyes had 12 scrimmage plays of 40-plus yards all of last season, and 13 such plays in 2012 and 2013 combined.

On Defense:

• Iowa has allowed six rushing touchdowns; No. 1 in the conference and fourth nationally.
• Iowa leads the Big Ten in interceptions (13) and ranks second in takeaways (20) and turnover margin (+11). 
• Limiting big plays: Iowa has allowed 12 scrimmage plays of 30-plus yards. Only Michigan (9) has allowed fewer among Big Ten teams. 

On Special Teams:

• 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. 
• Iowa’s two-man punt team of Dillon Kidd (43.1) and Marshall Koehn (46.2) rank fourth in the Big Ten averaging 42.4 yards per punt.
• Junior CB/RS Desmond King averages 12.7 yards per punt return and 25.1 yards on KO returns, both rank No. 3 in the Big Ten.

Iowa's schedule strength among the five remaining unbeaten FBS teams, only Clemson has a higher strength of schedule rating than Iowa (Sagarin Ratings). Iowa has won two road games over ranked opponents (#18 Wisconsin; #20 Northwestern), joining Alabama (3) as the only programs in the nation with multiple road wins over ranked foes.

Senior Day in Madison: Northwestern @ Wisconsin ... the Badgers need a lot
of help, with Iowa owning a two game lead basically ahead of Wisconsin.
Iowa beat Wisconsin in the B1G opener in Madison, 10 -6.

Senior Day in Madison, as the Wisconsin Badgers (8-2, 5-1 B1G West) hosts Northwestern (7-3, 4-2 B1G West). The game will be played at 2:30 p.m. CST on the Big Ten Network. The Wildcats defeated the Badgers in Evanston, in Wisconsin's Big Ten opener in 2014, by the score of 20-14.

The Northwestern Wildcats celebrating last Saturday's win over Purdue.

Other B1G games in Week 12:

• Indiana (0-6 B1G East) @ Maryland (0-6 B1G East) - one of these teams will pull themselves out of the East cellar on Saturday
• Rutgers (3-7) @ Army (2-8) - as the Scarlet Knights enjoy their final non-conference game of the season
• Nebraska (5-6, 3-4 B1G West) - bye week ahead of the Black Friday home date in Lincoln against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Kickoff will be 2:30 p.m. CST on ABC
• Illinois (5-5, 2-4 B1G West) @ Minnesota (4-6, 1-5 B1G West) - the Fighting Illini needs one more win to become the eighth B1G team to be bowl eligible, while the Golden Gophers need two, as they close out B1G play with back to back home games against the Illini and rival, Wisconsin.

Week 11 Results - November 14, 2015

EAST DIVISION
		Overall		Conference		Division
		W-L	%	W-L	%	W-L	%
1.	Ohio State	10-0	1.000	6-0	1.000	4-0	1.000
2.	Michigan State	9-1	.900	5-1	.833	4-0	1.000
	Michigan	8-2	.800	5-1	.833	3-1	.750
4.	Penn State	7-3	.700	4-2	.667	3-1	.750
5.	Rutgers	3-7	.300	1-6	.143	1-4	.200
6.	Maryland	2-8	.200	0-6	.000	0-4	.000
	Indiana	4-6	.400	0-6	.000	0-5	.000
WEST DIVISION
		Overall		Conference		Division
		W-L	%	W-L	%	W-L	%
1.	Iowa	10-0	1.000	6-0	1.000	4-0	1.000
2.	Wisconsin	8-2	.800	5-1	.833	3-1	.750
3.	Northwestern	8-2	.800	4-2	.667	3-1	.750
4.	Nebraska	5-6	.455	3-4	.429	1-4	.200
5.	Illinois	5-5	.500	2-4	.333	2-2	.500
6.	Minnesota	4-6	.400	1-5	.167	1-3	.250
	Purdue	2-8	.200	1-5	.167	1-4	.200

Updated through all games of Nov. 14.