Iowa’s win over Michigan jumbles up Big Ten title race

The Hawkeyes won because they made fewer mistakes. The Hawkeyes now sit at 6-4 overall and 4-3 in the Big Ten, achieving bowl eligibility with Saturday’s victory.

But so was the idea of Iowa (6-4, 4-3), a 24-point underdog, finding itself it time to stun Big Blue.

It appeared that a nine-play, 72-yard scoring drive, culminating in a 7-yard touchdown run by Ty Isaac and 10-0 lead, would spark Michigan’s offensive mojo.

The Wolverines struggled mightily on offense on a cold and windy night in Iowa City – where they had lost in each of their last three trips.

A 10-yard pass from Beathard to running back Akrum Wadley gave Iowa a first down, then Beathard’s 8-yard scramble on third-and-7 from the MI 23 put the ball in the center of the field.

Jewell held true to his promise, and so did Beathard, to launch a celebration unlike anything Iowa fans have witnessed since the historic 1985 game between the same two programs. But it might not matter for the Wolverines and their playoff hopes – if they win out.

“When it went through, I just ran onto the field like everybody else in the stadium, ” Beathard said. “Give us 14 points and we’ll win the game”. “And, he’s a tough-minded guy, a delightful guy, a good person and that kind of thing”.

Duncan’s big kick was not only reminiscent to 2008, but 1985 – and MI was involved in that one.

Patterson threw for two touchdowns and completed 25 of 42 passes for 338 yards in his first action as a collegian.

On the ensuing possession, MI had six plays inside the red zone and only gained one yard.

Iowa took over and looked to take the lead when Beathard’s pass was intercepted by Channing Stribling at the MI 16-yard-line with just 1:54 left in the game.

“He’s been practicing really well”. The Hawkeyes are now 5-9 against top-five under Kirk Ferentz, and this is their first win over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 13 MI in 2011.

The Hawkeyes did a terrific job of setting an edge that frustrated MI early and often. They have two more regular-season games remaining against IL and Nebraska. Which offense rides to Columbus in a couple weekends will be of great interest, because the one that showed up in Iowa City isn’t going to get anything done against the Buckeyes. The Hawkeyes missed a 46-yard field goal that drive. If you remember that on this same field 31 years ago – the opposite end zone but the same field – No. 1 Iowa defeated No. 2 MI, 12-10, when the sainted Rob Houghtlin drilled a 29-yard field goal, then you know what this game will mean in Hawkeyes history.

Instead, Michigan left as the butt of a joke at the hands of the Hawkeyes. and North Dakota State. Instead of trying to power it through for the first down, MI called a pitch to Karan Higdon, which resulted in a 6-yard loss. Turns out, its Twitter (troll) game is pretty strong, as well.

All 70,585 of you at Kinnick Stadium last Saturday night.

It can no longer be assumed that the annual rivalry game between the Wolverines (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) and Ohio State (9-1, 6-1) will determine the league’s playoff representative. The words weren’t hollow.

Brokaw, who attended Iowa for one year, donated memorabilia and journals from his career to the University of Iowa libraries last week. “The way they play defense, there’s not much wiggle room in there”.

There were questions regarding moods in the locker room.

It’s the stuff that keeps people coming back.

MI was undefeated and ranked third in the College Football Playoff rankings. Folks got a good glimpse of what Hawkeye football is all about. MI was playing some of the best football in the nation, and Iowa. was not. So … does the committee drop 8-1 Washington below the Badgers?