The Daily Iowan’s Big Ten Championship Predictions

December 5, 2015

The Field is set for the game in the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. This is Iowa’s first appearance at a Big Ten Championship game while it is the third for Michigan State in five years. (The Daily Iowan/Margaret Kispert)

DI football reporters Danny Payne, Charlie Green, Ryan Rodriguez, and Jordan Hansen offer their predictions for the Big Ten Championship game on Dec. 5 between No. 4 Iowa and No. 5 Michigan State.

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INDIANAPOLIS — Hello, hello. Who is sick of waiting? Everyone? OK, good, we, too. Our predictions are below, and you can read our exams here.

Danny Payne, Pregame Editor

This should be a fun one. On paper, I see Michigan State as the better team, but as we’ve said all year, there’s something about this Iowa squad that leads me to believe it’ll walk off the field with the Big Ten Championship trophy after a win. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something, man. Prediction: Iowa 17, Michigan State 14.

Pick to Click: Josey Jewell. Iowa’s going to have to make some plays on defense to win this one. I see Jewell having a monster game stopping the run.

Jordan Hansen, football reporter

In order to win this game, Iowa needs to score first and give it some early confidence. If the Hawkeyes don’t get the ball first, a big defensive stop would pay huge dividends. Prediction: Iowa 27, Michigan State 24.

Pick to Click: Desmond King. Nothing will help Iowa more than King shutting down Aaron Burbridge and forcing Cook away from what he’s comfortable with.

Ryan Rodriguez, football reporter

This one was super tough to predict. Both teams play extremely similar styles, but Michigan State has a definite edge in pure talent and has been in this situation three times in the last five years. Sparty takes it. Prediction: Michigan State 27, Iowa 24.

Pick to Click: C.J. Beathard. This one is obvious, but the Iowa offense and the whole team feed in general off of Beathard’s energy. Without him, Iowa is toast.

Charlie Green, football reporter

This game will stay close until the fourth quarter, when the Spartans pull away. Superior athleticism on defense and the best quarterback in the country will eventually prove too much for Iowa to withstand. Prediction: Michigan State 27, Iowa 17.

Pick to Click: Tevaun Smith. The senior will put his big-play potential on full display, stretching the field and keeping the Spartans from loading the box against the run. He’s been due for a huge game, and he’ll get it tonight.