Those two losses not only knocked the Hawkeyes out of playoff consideration themselves but nearly cost them a chance to win the Big Ten too. 2 spot in the AP Poll before losing consecutive games against Purdue and Wisconsin.
The Hawkeyes started the season strong, opening 6-0 and reaching the No.
Still, the Wolverines could only celebrate the win for so long because if they want to finish the job and earn their first berth in the College Football Playoff, they need to get by a tough Iowa team. It was Michigan's first win over the hated Buckeyes since 2011 and only the fourth time since 2000. The Wolverines come into the game off what's easily the biggest victory for the program in more than a decade, and certainly the Jim Harbaugh era, as it beat rival Ohio State 42-27 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 13 Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game on Saturday night in Indianapolis to decide the conference champion and a possible berth in the College Football Playoff.
