Big 10 title bout Iowa football instant analysis

Iowa football instant analysis: Offense disappears as Hawkeyes no match for Michigan in Big 10 title bout

INDIANAPOLIS — College football’s last regular season weekend saw Michigan’s defense hold Ohio State, one of the country’s best offenses, in check en route to the Big Ten championship game.

So the big question ahead of Saturday’s Big Ten title game was this: Did Iowa’s offense have a shot against this defense?

The answer, it turned out: None whatsoever.

The No. 12 Hawkeyes were trounced by No. 3 Michigan 42-3 for its Big Ten title since 2004. And the offense was every bit of an issue as Iowa’s three points scored suggests.

The Big Ten’s last ranked offense only managed 266 yards. The pass attack was especially bad — with Iowa’s two-headed quarterback tandem of Spencer Petras and Alex Padilla managing only 175 yards on 37 throws

Now the Hawkeyes (10-3) will wait to hear their bowl fate on Sunday when selections are made.

Early on in Saturday night’s game, Iowa had chances.

The Hawkeyes reached Michigan’s red zone twice in their first three possessions but only left with three points.

On the first drive, they missed on a running back double-pass play that would’ve been an easy touchdown if converted. Conversely, Michigan capitalized on big play chances.

Iowa surrendered their longest run of the season — a 67-yard touchdown run by Blake Corum on Michigan’s second possession — followed by

their longest pass of the season — a 75-yard running back double-pass by Donovan Edwards for a second touchdown. Michigan led 14-3 less than 10 minutes into the game.