The No. 2 Michigan Wolverines and the No. 16 Iowa Hawkeyes are a significant underdog when they play in the Big Ten championship game. The Hawkeyes have only scored 30 or more points in one game this season, compared to the Wolverines’ 11 occasions; this could be due to Iowa’s offensive woes.
Iowa’s offensive weakness has resulted in a special promotion from one indoor golf course in the state. If guests reserve a 7 p.m. bay time, X-Golf in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is giving away free draft beer until the Hawkeyes win.
It could be an extended evening of free alcohol. In six of their 12 games this season, the Hawkeyes have gone scoreless in the first quarter. Since October 7, when they played the Purdue Boilermakers, they have not scored a touchdown in the first quarter.
The Big Ten West leaders kicked a field goal on October 21 against the Minnesota Golden Gophers after forcing a safety against the Illinois Fighting Illini two weeks prior. The Hawkeyes haven’t scored in the first quarter since their matchup with the Boilermakers, with the exception of those two games.
Against Michigan, who give up the fewest points (10.3) and the second-fewest yards (246.8) per game in the Big Ten, it will be an even more difficult task. This season, the Wolverines have limited seven opponents to single-digit points.
In the 2021 Big Ten championship game, Iowa lost 42-3 to Michigan. The first quarter was when they scored their lone basket.
