Coming into its regular season finale against Wisconsin, Iowa knew the matchup would have a big-game atmosphere attached to it.
But the stakes were raised even higher just before the Hawkeyes ran onto the field on Saturday. With Michigan’s loss to Ohio State earlier in the day, Iowa could clinch a share of the Big Ten championship with a win over the Badgers.
And with its 30-7 defeat of Wisconsin, No. 12 Iowa (9-2, 6-2 Big Ten) did just that and now is set for its third-straight January bowl appearance.
The No. 20 Badgers (9-2, 6-2) could have earned a Rose Bowl bid with a win but now must settle with a Capital One Bowl or Outback Bowl berth.
“We lost a lot of stuff today. We lost a trip to … the Rose Bowl, a shot at the Big Ten title,” Wisconsin safety Robert Brooks said. “It just wasn’t a game today.”
The Hawkeyes, who lead the conference in takeaways, forced four turnovers and converted the mistakes into 13 second-half points.
“The turnovers were a big factor all season,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. “They’re always an important stat, and they are critical to us having success.”
Ohio State 37, Michigan 21
Usually there is not much consolation to losing to your most bitter rival, but for No. 13 Michigan (9-2, 7-1) a Rose Bowl bid is a nice way to get over being upset by Ohio State.
After the loss the Wolverines became Iowa’s No. 1 cheerleader because Wisconsin was the next in line to clinch the conference’s Rose Bowl spot.
But the Badgers couldn’t seal the bid, and No. 13 Michigan (9-2, 7-1) will now likely take on No. 4 California in Pasadena, Calif., on New Year’s Day.
“When you win the championship, you don’t have to apologize. You don’t have to hang your head,” Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. “(But) are we disappointed? You’re damned right we are.”
The Buckeyes (7-4, 4-4) dominated the Wolverines in every facet of the game on offense, defense and special teams. Ohio State freshman Ted Ginn was especially troublesome to Michigan and his third quarter 82-yard punt return touchdown, which was his fourth this season and tied the NCAA record, broke the game open.
“He’s been like the sparkplug in our car,” Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith said. “He got us going.”
Smith also had a career day of his own, throwing for 241 yards and two touchdowns on 13-of-23 passing and running for 145 yards and one touchdown.
After replacing Justin Zwick behind center midway through the season, Smith found a way to tear apart the vaunted Michigan defense all afternoon.
“He killed us throwing the ball and especially running the ball,” Michigan defensive back Marlin Jackson said.
Penn State 37, Michigan State 13
If there was ever any doubt, Northwestern now is assured a berth in a Big Ten bowl with a win at Hawaii this week because of the Spartans’ loss in State College, Pa.
As with NU, Michigan State (5-6, 4-4) needed to win its final two remaining games against a conference bottom-dweller and Hawaii. But where the Wildcats succeeded, the Spartans failed and are not bowl eligible.
Penn State (4-7, 2-6) utilized three Michigan State turnovers to score 28 points in the third quarter and roll to its first easy win of the conference season.
“I’m not going to talk about the third quarter. It was ugly,” Michigan State coach John L. Smith said. “It was just mistake after mistake after mistake.”
Purdue 63, Indiana 24
The Purdue offense that seemed poised to make a run for the national title earlier in the season has resurfaced after an extended fall break.
After being hampered by hip injuries in the last few weeks, Purdue quarterback Kyle Orton threw for 522 yards and six touchdowns and evidently has returned to his Heisman-candidate form.
“I actually went to bed last night thinking it would be nice to get our offense going again like we had earlier in the year,” Orton said. “It was a great ending.”
The Boilermakers (7-4, 4-4) set a Big Ten record for total yards in a game with 763 and tallied their highest point total since 1912. Three Purdue wideouts — Taylor Stubblefield, Kyle Ingraham and Dorien Bryant — gained at least 100 yards receiving in the first half.
Indiana (3-8, 1-7) finished the year on a three-game losing streak and lost the Old Oaken Bucket to Purdue for the seventh time in the last eight years.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
