5 things to watch for Michigan football vs. Iowa in Big Ten title game

Michigan football will face Iowa once again for the Big Ten championship and here are five things to watch for the Wolverines. 

After Michigan football vanquished Ohio State for the third straight time, it feels like we can finally stop talking about signs, because they never mattered, and start talking about football.

This weekend, the Wolverines, thanks to another Big Ten East championship, will face Iowa for the Big Ten title for the second time in three years. U-M is seeking its third straight conference championship and will have head coach Jim Harbaugh back on the sidelines.

There was a report that there is “optimism” regarding a new contract and Harbaugh. There is also optimism that the NCAA investigation will wrap up soon.

All of that is good. The distraction has subsided, at least for now, and looking ahead to Indy on Saturday, here are five things to watch for the Big Ten championship game.

The head coach is back

After a second three-game suspension of the season, Jim Harbaugh will return to the sidelines on Saturday night, and if all goes well, Tony Pettiti will have to hand over the Big Ten trophy.

Michigan can’t look past Iowa though. Nobody wins 10 games by accident and one thing the Hawkeyes don’t do is beat themselves. They also play exceptional defense.

But, at least Michigan will have all hands on deck. The Wolverines should also have learned the lesson against TCU that you can’t overlook anybody.

A Big Ten championship would mean everything to Kirk Ferentz and Iowa. I expect their best shot and in that sense, I’m glad Harbaugh will be back on the sidelines.