Iowa @ Michigan State preview
Spartan Stadium
Last Meeting ( Nov 12, 2011 ) Michigan State 37, Iowa 21
Michigan State has failed to live up to lofty preseason expectations, evidenced by the Spartans' close call against Indiana last week. Meanwhile, beating rival Michigan is always expected, but the Spartans can’t get caught looking ahead Saturday against Iowa, which travels to East Lansing for its first true road game. An inconsistent offense has dropped Michigan State out of the rankings, putting a damper on a season that began with aspirations of a Big Ten title. The Hawkeyes rolled to a 31-13 win over Minnesota prior to an off week. However, they may be without senior cornerback Micah Hyde – one of three players arrested during the open date - for at least a portion of Saturday's contest. Iowa has won nine of the last 14 meetings, but are seeking revenge for last season’s 37-21 loss in Iowa City.
TV: 12 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Michigan State -9.5
ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (4-2, 1-1 Big Ten): The slow-starting Spartans fell behind 17-0 to the Hoosiers before storming back for an underwhelming 31-27 victory in Bloomington last week. Andrew Maxwell threw for 290 yards and two touchdowns and the defense allowed only 37 total yards in the second half. How bad has Michigan State been at the start of games? The Spartans’ 79th ranked offense (389.0 yards per game) has scored three points in the first quarter over the last four contests. That’s no fault of running back Le’Veon Bell (776 yards, seven touchdowns), who’s pretty much carried the offense despite running behind an underachieving, banged-up line.
ABOUT IOWA (3-2, 1-0 Big Ten): The Hawkeyes went into their off week on a high note after a blowout of Minnesota. Walk-on Mark Weisman ran for 155 of his 177 yards in the first half and Christian Kirksey returned an interception for a touchdown. Weisman, a converted fullback, has rushed for 507 yards and seven touchdowns in three games since Damon Bullock (concussion) and Greg Garmon (elbow) went down. Both Garmon and Bullock, the opening day starter, could return this week. Unlike the Spartans, the Hawkeyes appear to be finding a groove offensively. Iowa has averaged 29.7 points over the last three games after managing a mere 12 over the first two.
EXTRA POINTS
1. This marks the Hawkeyes' latest true road game since they played at Indiana on Oct. 13, 1962.
2. Iowa is 2-6 on the road with QB James Vandenberg as the starter, but 9-3 at home.
3. The 21-year-old Hyde, who is still listed as a starter for Saturday and has since apologized, was arrested last weekend for suspicion of public intoxication and interference with official acts. TE Ray Hamilton and OL Drew Clark were also arrested for separate alcohol-related offenses.
PREDICTION: Michigan State 21, Iowa 17