Michigan State vs. Iowa: Game Preview, Prediction, and more

This is the road game for Michigan State for the 2023 season.

Michigan State

The Michigan State Spartans are coming off a 31-9 loss to the Maryland Terrapins at home for their second consecutive defeat. In the game, the Spartans’ offense struggled to get going, scoring 9 points total despite putting up 14 more total yards of offense than Maryland. The biggest issue that plagued the Spartans was that they committed five turnovers in the game. The Michigan State defense also had a tough time stopping the Maryland offense, allowing three touchdown passes and only creating one turnover.

Despite the loss, the Spartans unlike the past two games, will not face a high-powered offense in Iowa who put up zero points in their last game against Penn State. Quarterback Noah Kim has struggled the last two games throwing three interceptions total the last two games and having 32.1 and 22.2 QBR in consecutive weeks. Running back Nathan Carter fumbled last game against the Terrapins and has been held to under 100 yards rushing the past two games after having rushed for over 100 yards during the first two games of the season.

The Spartans’ defense has struggled overall the past two games against two good offenses in Maryland and Washington. They registered zero sacks against Maryland and only created one turnover compared to the five the Terrapin’s defense and special teams created against the Spartans. The Michigan State defense against Washington and Maryland have given up a combined 1,075 yards of total offense.

Iowa

The Iowa Hawkeyes are coming off a 31-0 loss on the road to the Penn State Nittany Lions. In their last game, the Hawkeyes’ offense struggled to move the ball and only generated 76 yards of total offense against Penn State. Iowa also turned the ball over four times against the Nittany Lions and Penn State had a 45:27 to 14:33 time of possession advantage.

The Hawkeyes’ defense which during the past three games prior to playing Penn State gave up only 12.3 points per game. Against the Nittany Lions, however, the Hawkeyes gave up three yards shy of 400 yards of total offense, 31 points, and over 200 rushing yards.

Matchup Preview

This game is expected to be a close, defensive battle as both team’s offenses are not expected to put up a ton of points. Both teams are better on defense than on offense, and both teams’ offenses have struggled at times this season. The team that is able to have the fewest amount of turnovers and get a few big plays on offense will likely win this game in a low-scoring game.

Keys to the Game

Michigan State: The Spartans need to find a way to get their offense going. They have struggled to score points this season, and they will need to find a way to move the ball against the Hawkeyes’ good and solid defense. The Spartans also need to play better defense in the red zone. They have allowed too many touchdowns in the red zone this season and they need to create more turnovers as well.

Iowa: The Hawkeyes need to find a way to run the ball effectively. They have struggled to run the ball consistently this season, and they will need to find a way to do so against the Spartans’ front seven. The Hawkeyes also need to protect the ball. They have committed too many turnovers this season.

The last 5 games of this rivalry: The Spartans have won three out of the previous five games against the Hawkeyes.

Rivalry Trophy:  No

Current Win Streak: Iowa has won the last game between these two schools, having a one-game winning streak in this rivalry.

Last meeting between both schools: The Hawkeyes defeated the Spartans at home by a final score of 49-7.

Prediction: Iowa 21 Michigan State 14