Penn State-Iowa will be B1G's first top 5 matchup without Ohio State or Michigan in nearly 60 years
Penn State and Iowa will meet at Kinnick Stadium this week for a game that will have massive implications on the Big Ten standings and College Football Playoff landscape.
It’s also a historic game for the conference. With Penn State and Iowa both ranked in the top 5 of this week’s AP Poll, the Big Ten will be breaking new ground.
According to ESPN’s Chris Fallica, this is the first time the Big Ten has had a top 5 game without Ohio State or Michigan included since 1962. Minnesota and Wisconsin played in that game, with the Badgers winning 14-9.
1962!!! Minnesota/Wisconsin
— Chris Fallica (@chrisfallica) October 3, 2021
Even if you remove the Wolverines, this is the first time a top 5 Big Ten game has been played without Ohio State in over 20 years. The last one was Michigan at Penn State in 1997 — which the Wolverines won 34-8.
Barring any unforeseen changes in the AP Poll, next weeks Penn State/Iowa game will be the first regular season Big Ten game between two Top 5 opponents without Ohio State being one of them since 1997 Michigan at Penn State.
— Chris Fallica (@chrisfallica) October 3, 2021
This game has opened as a pick ’em in Vegas. Both teams enter the game with an undefeated record.
Kick off is at 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday. The game will be broadcast on FOX.