It's been 17 years and three coaches since Michigan last won a Big Ten title. That means many of Jim Harbaugh's current Wolverines are likely too young to truly remember former coach Lloyd Carr's squad winning it in 2004.
But what they do remember — up until this year — is loss after loss to Ohio State, most often in lopsided fashion. That all changed when Harbaugh and Michigan walloped Ohio State 42-27 at home last weekend behind five touchdowns from Hassan Haskins and a three-sack performance from Aidan Hutchinson.
That win was Michigan's first over Ohio State since 2011 and just its second since 2001. And though that one game may not define the Wolverines' season, this next one certainly could.
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They'll take on Iowa in the Big Ten title game from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Saturday, and Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz has given Harbaugh some battles over the years, as both a player and a coach.
This game has all the hallmarks of a typical defense-first, ground-and-pound type Big Ten feel. The Wolverines and Hawkeyes rank eighth and ninth in the country, respectively, in scoring defense, with both teams yielding just over 17 points per game. Similarly, both teams rank inside the top-15 in total defense.
Offensively, the two teams are evenly matched as well. While the Wolverines have a top-10 run game in the country led by Haskins, Iowa's offense is similarly impressive, even if it doesn't put up gaudy numbers. The Hawkeyes rarely turn the ball over, ranking third in the country in turnover margin, meaning they can slow the game down and play it at their pace.
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A win for No. 2 Michigan and the Wolverines will almost assuredly clinch a spot in the College Football Playoff. But if Iowa wins, then the Big Ten could be shut out of the Playoff altogether.
Sporting News has all the information you need to catch the 2021 Big Ten title game in action.
MORE: Watch Michigan vs. Iowa live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)
What channel is Michigan vs. Iowa on today?
- TV channel: Fox
- Live stream: Fox Sports App | fuboTV
The 2021 Big Ten title game will air on Fox in primetime. Gus Johnson will man play-by-play
Michigan vs. Iowa start time
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 4
- Kickoff: 8:00 p.m. ET
The Big Ten championship game will kick off at 8 p.m from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
College football schedule Week 14
Saturday, Dec. 4
| Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Big 12: No. 5 Oklahoma State vs. No. 9 Baylor (AT&T Stadium) | Noon | ABC, fuboTV |
| MAC: Kent State vs. Northern Illinois (Ford Field) | Noon | ESPN, fuboTV |
| MWC: Utah State at No. 19 San Diego State | 3 p.m. | Fox, fuboTV |
| Sun Belt: App State at No. 24 Louisiana | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN, fuboTV |
| SEC: No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 3 Alabama (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) | 4 p.m. | CBS, Paramount+, fuboTV |
| AAC: No. 21 Houston at No. 4 Cincinnati | 4 p.m. | ABC, fuboTV |
| Big Ten: No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 13 Iowa (Lucas Oil Stadium) | 8 p.m. | Fox, fuboTV |
| ACC: No. 15 Pitt vs. No. 16 Wake Forest (Bank of America Stadium) | 8 p.m. | ABC, fuboTV |
| USC at Cal* | 11 p.m. | FS1, fuboTV |