On September 30th, the Hawkeyes look to defeat Michigan State in their first meeting since the 2015 Big Ten Title Game.
The last meeting between these two Big Ten teams was the 2015 Big Ten Championship. We all know how that ended, complete heartbreak on 4th down. If you don’t know, LJ Scott scored a game winning touchdown through three defenders to beat Iowa 16-13. This game would have sent the Iowa Hawkeyes to the College Football Playoff, and a Big Ten title. Iowa would have gotten possibly the 2nd seed and playing Clemson/Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.
This year, things are completely opposite of what we saw in the 2015 Big Ten Title Game. These teams have had many changes since that crushing, heartbreaking game.
For Michigan State, running back LJ Scott is still there, entering his junior season. Scott has put up 186 total yards of offense so far through 2017. Although, only one touchdown total. Last season, Scott only accounted for six touchdowns, which is five less than the Big Ten Championship season of 2015, with 11.
Scott has 44 attempts on offense with the ball, averaging 4.2 yards per carry/catch. He has a total of five receptions for 28 total yards, averaging 5.6 per catch. LJ Scott is still as dangerous as he was when we last saw him, which is our key focus heading into East Lansing.
Michigan State last week (September 23rd) against Notre Dame put up 345 yards through the air by QB Brian Lewerke. His pass completion rate was 31/51, with a QBR of 61.7. Trishton Jackson also came into the game for QB for the Spartans, throwing one completion for 5 yards. Lewerke threw one interception, but accounted for two touchdown passes, one to Stewart Jr., one to Gerald Holmes, both wide receivers.
Michigan State on the ground completed 151 yards of rushing, 61 coming from LJ Scott, with a 15 yard run being his longest on the day. The Spartans had an impressive day offensively against the Fighting Irish, which can make this upcoming game on the 30th quite interesting.
Defensively, Iowa is looking strong as ever, especially after their performance against Penn State on September 23th.
Iowa defensively in this game has to keep an eye on LJ Scott, and cover the passing game. Michigan State loves to pass this season, and that is one of Iowa’s weaknesses so far this year. Maintaining good coverage down field will be a necessity for winning this game far and square.
The downside of this game defensively will be the fatigue still being felt after the hard-fought bloodbath with the fourth-ranked Nittany Lions last Saturday. Iowa’s defense had a lot of hard-hitting, explosive plays, which will make this game harder coming off such a difficult game. Although, not worried, this game should go fairly well defensively for Iowa. Having had played against arguably the best offense in football, this game shows a lot of promise, and throughout the rest of the 2017 season.
Overall, defensively, I am not concerned about their performance against the Spartans this upcoming game.
Iowa’s offense is improving every single week we watch this team play, and it’s extremely impressive.
For Iowa to succeed against Michigan State this weekend, will be through the air and Akrum Wadley (like every game). Michigan State doesn’t have a “top tier” defense by any means, but they can definitely cause troubles, especially for this young Hawkeye offense. Stanley has to throw quick passes – nothing long, unless it’s a perfect opportunity. Quick passes, mixed with long deep shots, but mostly, slowly moving the ball up the field will be a key strategy in winning this game. Although, Stanley had some very impressive throws against Penn State’s defense.
Akrum Wadley will definitely be targeted by the defense many times this game, as they will be prepared to stop this human video-game. But let’s face it, no one can stop Wadley. He makes his own moves and his own techniques to get by anybody, most of the time. Overall offensively, I don’t have much to say other than play like we did against Penn State. But only one thing, Iowa cannot afford to drop easy passes, quite like we saw against Penn State. That was mainly the only flaw of that game, other than the fumble of Wadley.
Overall, with everything said, this game should, and hopefully will be, a Hawkeye victory. Not saying this is going to be a blowout by any means.. actually, yes I am.
As much as the Penn State game hurt the Hawkeyes, they will be ready to come out and completely annihilate this Spartan squad. With how Iowa played last week, this game should be a complete dominated victory for the Hawks.
Let’s not forget though, this is Iowa’s only second road game of the season, and Iowa’s road success isn’t exactly perfect. Although, with the way they played (again), this team can play with anybody in the country, and Michigan State better watch out.
Time for predictions. This game will be an Iowa victory 34-17. Nate Stanley throws for two TD passes, one each for Noah Fant and Nick Easley. Akrum Wadley scores two touchdowns, one of them being a breakaway long running touchdown near the end of the game to pull away.
The defense comes up with an interception and a fumble recovery. This game should be a good one, lot’s of stuff to learn still about the Hawkeyes, but all-in-all, it’s going to be fun.