Iowa has accepted the role of underdog as the 13th ranked Hawkeyes get ready to play second ranked Michigan in the Big Ten Championship.
The 10-2 Hawkeyes open as a better than 10-point under dog to a Wolverine team that will be looking to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff.
That’s Iowa safety Kaevon Merriweather who is a native of Belleville, Michigan.
The Hawkeyes bounced back following a mid-season two game losing skid. Safety Jack Koerner.
The Wolverines rolled up 487 yards of offense in a win over Ohio State. Defensive lineman Zach VanValkenburg.
The Iowa defense prides itself on stopping the run and the Wolverines gashed the Buckeyes with 297 yards on the ground.
VanValkenburg says practices have been spirited.
Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras says there is no competition at quarterback with Alex Padilla. After missing two games with a shoulder injury Petras replaced Padilla in Friday’s win at Nebraska and will start Saturday’s Big Ten Championship against second ranked Michigan.
Petras says the situation has not effected his friendship with Padilla.
Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum says the Hawkeyes are thrilled by the chance to play Michigan in the Big Ten Championship. The Hawkeyes last appeared in the title game in 2015.
Iowa enters as a decided underdog to the second rated Wolverines.
Linderbaum says they are trying to treat it as just another game week.
Kick off is set for 7:00 Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
