Michigan State vs. Iowa: Big Ten Championship 2015 TV Info, Live Stream and More

The Iowa Hawkeyes (12-0, 8-0 Big Ten) have had a brilliant season so far, but there are a lot of observers who are still waiting for Kirk Ferentz's team to prove itself.

The Hawkeyes will get that opportunity Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium against Michigan State (11-1, 7-1) in the Big Ten Championship Game.

Kickoff Time (ET): 8:17 p.m.

Location: Lucas Oil Stadium; Indianapolis, Indiana

TV: Fox

Live Stream: Fox Sports Go

Ticket Info: ScoreBig.com 

Iowa has met every challenge on its schedule and has played consistently since it opened the season in early September against Illinois State. However, the Hawkeyes played two games against tough opponents—Northwestern and Wisconsin—but the rest of their schedule appeared relatively easy.

Michigan State, on the other hand, faced three major challenges that appeared to be greater than the ones posed by the Wildcats and the Badgers. Mark Dantonio's Spartans hosted Oregon early in the season before signature road games against Michigan and Ohio State.

Michigan State won all three, including a 17-14 win over previously unbeaten and defending national champion Ohio State.

Those three victories are the main reasons the Spartans are 3.5-point favorites—according to Odds Shark—over the Hawkeyes in the game that decides which Big Ten team will represent the conference in the College Football Playoff.

That doesn't mean the Hawkeyes are not an impressive team. They should have a legitimate chance to win this game as a result of their talented lineup.

The Des Moines Register is playing up the "disrespect" card prior to the Big Ten title game: 

"

Your @DMRegister news cover: Why the national hate toward Iowa football? https://t.co/HRvorhBONR @APSE_sportmedia pic.twitter.com/az3I7r2uX1

— Hawk Central (@hawkcentral) December 4, 2015"

C.J. Beathard has completed 184 of 303 passes for 2,354 yards with 14 touchdowns and three interceptions. Beathard's ability to avoid turnovers has been a big part of Iowa's success all season.

Nati Harnik/Associated Press/Associated Press

Jordan Canzeri's ground game may be the most impressive part of the Iowa offense. Canzeri has rushed for 964 yards, a 5.5 yards-per-carry average and 12 touchdowns. Canzeri was the fifth-leading rusher in the Big Ten.

Wideout Matt VandeBerg has caught 59 passes for 625 yards and three TDs and is the Hawkeyes' most consistent receiver. 

Senior quarterback Connor Cook leads Michigan State, and he's recorded an impressive statistical season. Cook has completed 194 of 337 passes for 2,730 yards with 24 touchdowns and just four interceptions, and he was recently named the B1G Quarterback of the Year:

"

Connor Cook of @MSU_Football named the 2015 #B1G Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year. pic.twitter.com/lYkVTj6izC

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) December 1, 2015"

Cook's presence gives the Spartans the ability to strike from anywhere on the field. He is capable of directing long, clock-consuming drives, but he can also hit the big play when Michigan State needs it.

A late-season shoulder injury troubled Cook and forced him to the sidelines in the upset win over Ohio State, but he returned for the regular-season finale against Penn State and looked sharp. Cook's line against the Nittany Lions was 19-of-26 passing, 248 yards, three TDs and no picks.

Aaron Burbridge is Michigan State's best receiver, catching 75 passes for 1,158 yards and seven touchdowns. In addition to those numbers, Burbridge demonstrates the ability to make the difficult catch in traffic. Macgarrett Kings and R.J. Shelton are also key receivers with big-play ability.

The Spartans don't get a lot of credit for their running game, but LJ Scott and Gerald Holmes have combined for 1,139 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns.

Defensively, both teams ranked in the middle of the Big Ten pack. The Hawkeyes ranked fifth in regular-season Big Ten play, allowing 331.7 yards per game, while the Spartans were sixth and gave up 349.2 yards per game.

While neither team was consistently dominant on defense, Michigan State's win at Ohio State was largely the result of its best defensive game. The Spartans kept the Buckeyes in check for 60 minutes and held them to five first downs and 132 total yards.

Defensive end Shilique Calhoun has 8.5 sacks for the Spartans (seven solos and three assists), and the Hawkeyes are going to have to find a way to block him if they are going to win in Indianapolis. Nate Meier has 6.5 sacks for the Hawkeyes.

Prediction: Michigan State 27, Iowa 17

The Spartans are tough, physical and battle-tested. They came through with their best defensive game against Ohio State, and that game should give this team the confidence to win the Big Ten championship and earn a spot in the College Football Playoff.