Big Ten Championship point spread: Picking Iowa Hawkeyes vs Michigan Wolverines

We are down to the final week in college football before bowl season arrives — conference championship weekend. The slate of games schedule will go a long way into deciding the four College Football Playoff spots up for grabs. One of those spots is currently being occupied by the Michigan Wolverines, and there’s a strong chance of them remaining in the field of four with their Big Ten Championship matchup against the Iowa Hawkeyes.

On Monday, On3’s Andy Staples broke down the spread and the line for the contest on the Andy Staples On3 Podcast. To break down the Big Ten title game, the college football expert brought in none other than the Lombardi Line co-host Patrick Meahger. And to no surprise to most, Meahger is riding with Michigan on Dec. 2.

“So this one, right now, Michigan-Iowa is sitting 23, as far as the side; the total is 35.5,” said Meagher. “Just for perspective, Michigan scores 38.3 a game. This is a mismatch. Now, Iowa’s going to find out next year how tough the Big Ten is when the legit teams start getting involved in their division.”

“Do you remember in 2021, the Big Ten Championship game? What happened?”

To help make his story Meagher called on a previous matchup between the two programs for the Big Ten title two years ago. And for individuals unfamiliar with the previous results, it did not end well for Iowa.

“So [in] 2021, Michigan closed 12; they were laying 12. They beat up on Iowa 42 to 3. That offense in 21 for Iowa was freaking prolific compared to this offense. Remember that offense went to College Park, went to Maryland, and dropped 51 on them… Iowa is not gonna score.”

“I’m going to go under. I’m sorry because Michigan is absolutely gonna they’re gonna be just like the Dallas Cowboys; they’re gonna be eating on the sidelines in the 4th quarter.”

Staples take on the Big Ten title game

Staples agrees with Meahger when it comes to Michigan covering the point spread. However, when it comes to the over-under line, that is a different story. Staples, it’s once again taking the over and betting on the game going over its 35.5 line.

“This is where I’m going with this,” said Staples. “So the total is 35.5. Michigan [is] favored by 22.5 at FanDuel. What we’re talking about is a 29 to 6 game. Michigan is gonna score more than that. Here’s what happens with Iowa: Iowa’s defense is great. It is incredibly well-coached by Phil Parker. They don’t have an abundance of special athletes.”

“The problem is when they play teams that have some special athletes or, in Michigan’s case, a lot of special athletes, it’s totally different. Being in the right place doesn’t matter when you just get beat by a better player. And so when you’re playing in Wisconsin, playing in Nebraska, being in the right place is all you gotta be. But against Ohio State or against Michigan, sometimes it doesn’t matter for the right place. You just get beat.”

“So I’m going to take Michigan to cover, and I’m going to take the over in this game,” closed Staples.