Iowa Football: Ranking Hawkeyes’ 2020 opponents by toughness

Michigan State is under a new direction with Mel Tucker taking over as head coach following Mark Dantonio’s sudden retirement and he could get off to a slow start to his tenure.

Brian Lewerke, Cody White, Joe Bachie, Josiah Scott and Kenny Willekes are all gone, which means that this team will be almost hitting a reset button. That may not be such a bad thing right away as the Spartans were just 14-12 over the past two season under Dantonio and the offense got stale after a breakout 2017 campaign.

A new quarterback, new top receiver, new coaches and an entirely new defense could lead to a major rebuild, but the Spartans always seem to be a thorn in Iowa’s side — and vice versa.

If there’s one team in the Big 12 that could surprise some people and contend for the conference title, toppling Oklahoma’s reign, it would have to be Iowa State.

The Cyclones return one of the best quarterbacks in the nation in Brock Purdy and a rising running back in Breece Hall. Matt Campbell also has some all-conference candidates back on defense and this team will be tough to handle.

This rivalry game is always a good one — especially in recent years — but the Cyclones have been dominated lately. Will that change in Week 2?