Elliott named Big Ten RB of the year

But somehow, this weekend’s Big Ten Championship Game feels like a culmination of sorts.

Cook was sidelined for the stunning victory at Ohio State that flipped Michigan State’s season.

“Well, in a lot of people’s eyes we weren’t supposed to be here right now”, Ferentz said.

While the All-Big Ten defense and special teams honorees were announced Monday night, the conference announced the All-Big Ten offensive teams Tuesday evening. The Spartans have won at MI and Ohio State. The Hawkeyes are making their first appearance in the conference championship game while the Spartans will head to Indianapolis for the third time in five years.

Iowa players, including Nate Meier (34) and Dillon Kidd (16), celebrate with the Heroes Trophy after defeating Nebraska 28-20 in an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Friday, Nov. 27, 2015.

When you’re in a season, living week to week, you probably don’t recognize turning points when they happen.

As was the case with Ohio State, I think Iowa needs to throw to beat the Spartans.

When the fifth-ranked Spartans face the fourth-ranked Hawkeyes in Saturdays showdown, a berth in college footballs playoff will nearly certainly be at stake. The Hawkeyes are matching up with Michigan State’s defense at an inopportune time.

“We feel we had a great opportunity to win this basketball game and it slipped away”, Willard said.

Penn State defensive lineman Carl Nassib was named as the Big Ten’s defensive player of the year, while Ohio State’s Joey Bosa and Wisconsin’s Joe Schobert were recognized as the top defensive lineman and linebacker respectively.

“We’re treating it like any other game, trying to put a good plan in place. I feel as if we bounce back each and every loss and each and every win, and we try to compete on a higher level each and every game”. “They want it all”. “We knew he was getting a lot of heat after last season – and last season wasn’t really his fault”, sophomore Iowa tackle Boone Myers said.

Howard played just nine games this season as he battled injuries, but he finished second in the conference in rushing yards per game with 134.8, and third in yards per carry with 6.2. “We’ve been out to prove everyone wrong and really it’s about us and what we do”. Quarterback C.J. Beathard (2,354 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and three interceptions) will have to keep up with Cook if the Hawkeyes plan on adding Michigan State to that list.

As the program’s all-time leader in wins by a QB, he personifies just how successful this program has been in recent seasons.

“We may need everybody”, said Ferentz of the running backs.

The senior is one of four backs who share carries, but Canzeri might be featured more against Michigan State this week because of his quickness and experience. Ferentz has led Iowa to a school-record 12 victories this season, the fifth time the Hawkeyes have recorded 10 or more wins under his leadership. “Kenny played out of his mind”, Valentine said. SEC championship games usually stick to form, and Alabama is in a position to dominate with college football’s top front seven. But it’s the dynamic play at quarterback that has each dreaming of a national championship.

For Iowa, that means holding their ground by adding a quality win.

When asked whether the two-season-old playoff could see its first conference nonchampion as a playoff entry, selection committee chairman Jeff Long said he was unable to answer that at this point. “Initially our goals were to do other things, but this is where we’re at now”.