Spartans Have Big, But Winnable Test in Iowa City: Scouting Report and Prediction

Spartans Have Big, But Winnable Test in Iowa City

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The Spartans will come marching into Iowa City on a mission. This is not just about winning a game. This is about making themselves bowl eligible with enough season left to make this a special campaign.

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The Spartans recently faced Ohio State’s #1 ranked defense. Iowa does have a great defense itself, but they are no Ohio State. Here is the breakdown and prediction for this MSU vs. Iowa game.

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I am a huge fan of Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz. This was been a very disappointing season for the Hawks. Injuries, suspensions and youth, have left the Hawks short of reaching their preseason expectations. The Hawkeyes have had to change their expectations.

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MSU ON OFFENSE:

MSU must be able to throw the ball downfield.  Iowa isn’t as good as Ohio State’s D, but they are very good. MSU will need to throw some on first down to keep the Hawks guessing. Play action passes will keep the LB’s honest and that will make the running game effective.

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Ringer will be able to run and the Spartans will utilize Kellen Davis in the flat. That will open things up for Devin Thomas. I don’t see the Spartans racking up the points against this D, but they will get enough to win.

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MSU ON DEFENSE:

MSU must pressure the QB! The Hawkeyes have a pourus OL and the Spartans will be able to pin their ears back and attack them. Iowa will use play action pass to try to keep the Spartans honest; MSU must be relentless.

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Iowa struggles badly on offense and the Spartans front 7 will have to trust that their DB teammates will do their jobs. Pressure is the name of the game on Saturday. If the Spartans attack and are relentless, they will force a Hawkeye QB rotation to make mistakes.

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This is a huge game for MSU. Dantonio will tell you it only counts as one, and he is right. MSU’s 5-3 record should tell you that this a big one. Not only can the Spartans become bowl eligible, but they can set the stage with three remaining games to do something remarkable. This game is very important. The Spartans need to show that they can beat the teams that they should beat. Iowa is not a bad team regardless of the schedule. It is a team that the Spartans should beat and I think they will. Make it MSU 21 and Iowa 10!