Michigan State football will square off against Iowa in a night game inside of Kinnick Stadium. The Spartans will look to bounce back after a two game losing streak.
To get some insight into the game, we spoke to editor of HawkeyesWire to get their perspective on the match-up.
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What should MSU fans know about the state of Iowa’s football team this year?
It’s more of the same. The hope was that Cade McNamara would transfer in from Michigan alongside tight end Erick All and help revitalize this Hawkeye offense that has devolved into the butt of jokes nationally.Instead, those two and the wide receiver transfers Iowa added have the Hawkeyes stuck at square one. The shutout against Penn State last week has the fan base back out with pitchforks for offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz.
How do you think Iowa fans are viewing the Spartans and this game?
Right or wrong, I do think Iowa fans are looking at this Michigan State contest as a bit of a “get-right” game. Iowa desperately needs to figure something out offensively, and Michigan State defensively looks like maybe they are an opponent the Hawkeyes might be able to find some success moving the football against. Plus, it’s under the lights in prime time at Kinnick, so that should create a nice atmosphere if the Hawkeyes can actually deliver some positive things offensively.
What would need to happen for MSU to pull the upset?
The same recipe most teams probably feel they can ride to a victory over Iowa: take care of the football, piece together several good scoring drives and assume that it will be enough to outscore the Hawkeyes. If Michigan State doesn’t give up chunk breakdowns defensively, then the Spartans should like their chances. MSU is really good in the third-down conversion percentage defense category, surrendering third down conversions at just a 25% clip to rank sixth nationally. Make Iowa earn it.
Why are you optimistic about Iowa's chances?
Last week was a serious downer, but there is at least that possibility that Penn State is just really, really good defensively, too. Still, the biggest reason for optimism is Iowa’s defense versus a Michigan State offense that has seriously struggled in losses to Power Five foes Washington and Maryland in back-to-back weeks. It’s a tailor-made Iowa victory: lots of defense and special teams.
What's your prediction for how this one plays out?
Iowa 20, Michigan State 13. An identical score to the Cy-Hawk Series showdown. Yes, Michigan State has had its offensive problems and shown that it can give up some points and yardage, too. I’ll take Iowa to win, but I just can’t predict this Hawkeye team to put up a bunch of points or beat anyone convincingly right now. Not after last week. It’s in Kinnick under the lights against an MSU team that has its own issues, though.
