SB Nation’s Bill Connelly has two teams -Michigan and Iowa – few would have predicted playing in this year’s Big Ten Championship game. Based on numbers from of S&P+, Connelly forecasts that the Wolverines and Hawkeyes currently have the best chances of making the title game in Lucas Oil Stadium on December 5th. Here’s what Connelly wrote about the Wolverines so far:
Ignoring preconceptions, Michigan has clearly been the best team in the East so far. The Wolverines have had by far the best defense in a great defensive conference, and their résumé features two of the division’s most impressive performances. A dominant shutout of BYU that beat Nebraska and Boise State and nearly beat UCLA, and a tight loss at a Utah that destroyed Oregon in Eugene (which happens to be the most impressive Michigan State home victim).
On the Wolverines’ week 7 and 13 opponents:
To me, the question isn’t whether Michigan’s for real. It’s whether Ohio State and Michigan State are ready to look the part. Scoff if you want, but they haven’t.
A look at the Big Ten East division S&P + rankings. Michigan plays Northwestern, ranked No. 29, this weekend:
[SB Nation]
