Joel Klatt Names Dark Horse Contender for Big Ten Championship

The Michigan Wolverines won three consecutive Big 10 Championships from 2021-23, while the Ohio State Buckeyes won four straight from 2017-20. Michigan has the most conference titles in Big 10 history, with 45.

To find the last time that the Iowa Hawkeyes won a Big 10 title, you would have to go back to 2004. On a recent episode of " The Joel Klatt Show ," Joel Klatt discussed Iowa's chances of reaching the title game.

Iowa is 3-1 through four games. The Hawkeyes' only ranked team left on their schedule is Ohio State on Oct. 5. Based on its remaining schedule, Klatt predicted that Iowa would be in the conversation for a Big Ten title game at the end of the year.

"...We could look up at the end of the year, and we could see Iowa as a team that has one loss in Big 10 play, which would certainly put them in the conversation for the two spot and possibly play in the Big 10 Championship game," Klatt said. "I'm just saying. It's kind of a Missouri-esque style of schedule."

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz is known for dominating defenses. The Hawkeyes lead the Big 10 with 62 rushing yards allowed per game.

The program returned top talent, such as quarterback Cade McNamara, linebacker Jay Higgins, tight end Luke Lachey, and defensive back Sebastian Castro.

Ferentz has made the Big Ten Championship since 2021 but left those appearances with no wins. Iowa has a bye week before facing Ohio State next. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Related: Joel Klatt Names Dark Horse SEC Program That is a National Title Contender