Michigan Wins Big Ten Football Championship

The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Championship on December 2.

On December 2, the University of Michigan Wolverines defeated the University of Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Championship. The 26-0 victory at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianpolis, Indiana, gave Michigan its third consecutive conference championship. 

The game set a Big Ten Championship attendance record, with 67,842 fans packed into the stadium. “[It’s] just an incredible feeling,” Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said about the Wolverines’ victory.

Harbaugh had rejoined his team after a three-game suspension. The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) ordered the suspension after a Michigan staff member was accused of stealing play calls from other teams. 

The Wolverines will play the University of Alabama on New Year’s Day in the Rose Bowl. The team who wins that contest will play either the Texas Longhorns or the Washington Huskies in the National Championship.

In the game against Michigan, the Hawkeyes struggled to make big plays, despite excellent defense and punting.

At the postgame press conference, Iowa’s head coach, Kirk Ferentz, reflected on his team and career. Ferentz has served as Iowa’s head coach since 1999, the longest tenure of any current coach in the United States.

“I’ve had the privilege to work with a lot of outstanding players,” Ferentz said. “This group . . . is about as good as we’ve had.” 

Evy in the press box at Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis

THE VIEW FROM THE PRESS BOX

Covering the Big Ten Championship gave me a glimpse into the world of major sporting events and sports journalism. The crowd roared as the teams took the field, but the press box was nearly soundproof. Reporters typed on their keyboards, while updates were shared over the loudspeakers. Journalists from several outlets attended, including ESPN, The Associated Press (AP), and The Wall Street Journal. 

I asked Malinda Adams, a longtime ESPN field producer, how she had succeeded in her career. “My parents told me I could be anything I wanted if I worked hard enough,” Adams said. “That’s great advice. It’s really important to figure out if you like it, because this is a job you have to love and be dedicated to. Any and all experience you can get is valuable.” 

During the game, I ventured out of the press box to talk with fans. As people cheered and the marching bands played, excitement could be felt in the air. 

I asked Alessandra Darr, a fan from Indianapolis, about the best part of the night for her. “I’m excited to see all the fans,” she said. “I’ve never seen a game here before.”

After the final play, there were fireworks at Lucas Oil Stadium. But the college football season isn’t over. The highly-anticipated 2024 national championship game will take place on January 8. 

“Any and all experience you can get is valuable,” an ESPN field producer told Evy about sports journalism.