Michigan Spartans Chances To Win vs Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa is still one of the better teams in Big 10 as a mainstay near the top of the standings. Iowa will unveil a new offensive coordinator this season and a new quarterback to couple with their usually very stout defense. How will Michigan State move the ball against the vaunted Hawks defense and how will Iowa move the ball against Michigan State after all of the bad news we've heard coming out of camp? Iowa is the much better team on paper, but if they can't score, can they win?
How The Michigan State Spartans Win vs Iowa
Can quarterback Aidan Chiles and running backs Nate Carter and Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams can pick up a lot of yards in large chunks. Iowa is replacing some solid talent on defense that could allow Michigan State to, potentially, pull off a stunner.
- 📈 Strength: Quarterback Aidan Chiles and the running back core can move the ball and score.
- 📉 Weakness: Lack of quality depth early in the season.
How The Iowa Hawkeyes Win vs The Michigan State Spartans
Iowa has a new offensive coordinator, a new quarterback, and a host of new faces all over the team. They do have one of the best defenses in college football, likely even improved from last year. Iowa should win this game and win pretty handily, but it does need to score points and Iowa needs to figure out how to get the offense moving.
- 📈 Strength: Defense
- 📉 Weakness: The offense still has so many question marks and it is hard to know what to expect out of the Hawkeyes until we see it.
History of Mchigan State Vs Iowa Games
Michigan State and Iowa have battled hard over the last 71 years in the Big 10. Iowa currently holds the series record 25-22-2, and on a current two-game winning streak. Michigan State won the largest margin of victory game in 1966, 56-7 and Iowa holds the longest win streak in the series with five between 1979-1983.
All-Time Best Spartans Hawkeyes Games
The Michigan State Spartans and Iowa Hawkeyes have played in some thrilling matchups, showcasing gritty defense and late-game heroics. Here are three of the all-time best games between these Big Ten rivals, featuring dramatic finishes and championship implications.
Game 1: December 5, 2015
In a 16-13 win by the Spartans against the undefeated Hawkeyes in the Big Ten title game and a spot in the College Football Playoff, a fourth-quarter 82-yard drive was the capper on a victory for Michigan State and their only college football playoff birth.
Game 2: October 24, 2009
Michigan State took the lead with 1:37 left in the fourth quarter. Then, Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi led a 10-play 70-yard touchdown drive as time expired to win 15-13 as wide receiver Marvin McNutt caught a pass with no time left in the game.
Game 3: October 3, 1987
This was a pivotal game during Michigan State’s 1987 Big Ten Championship run. Iowa entered the game ranked No. 19, but Michigan State won on the road with a decisive stop on Iowa's final drive of the game. With the victory, Michigan State secured a spot in the Rose Bowl for the first time in two decades.
Other Notable Spartans Content:
Michigan State Vs Iowa FAQ
Michigan State has a record of 22-25-2 against Iowa
Michigan State lost 26-16 the last time they matched up against Iowa.
