EAST LANSING– Coming off a bye week, Michigan State football is looking for a win against the Iowa Hawkeyes to stop a three-game losing streak.
Beating the Hawkeyes will not be easy as head coach Kirk Ferentz’s teams are always tough to play.
The Spartans haven’t beaten the Hawkeyes since 2017 and have been outscored 75-23 in the past two matchups, dating back to 2020.
The 2015 Big Ten Championship rematch on Saturday is expected to be a similar low-scoring matchup between two hard-nosed defenses.
The running joke of College Football over the past five years has been the performance of the Iowa offense, formerly run by Fernetz’s son Brian Ferentz, who was fired this past offseason.
Through six games, the new offense has been more explosive, averaging 29.2 points per game, including two 40-point showings.
Quarterback, Cade McNamara
Hawkeyes quarterback Cade McNamara is quite familiar with the Spartans. The former Michigan quarterback was the starter for the infamous ‘Kenneth Walker’ game in 2021.
The sixth-year quarterback was injured against the Spartans last year, suffering a season-ending knee injury.
McNamara isn’t expected to do much in the Hawkeyes offense, only throwing for 200 yards once this season.
After throwing two interceptions in a week two loss to Iowa State, McNamara has taken care of the ball throwing only one interception since.
Running back, Kaleb Johnson
Hawkeyes running back Kaleb Johnson has been a workhorse for this offense. Averaging nearly eight yards per carry.
Johnson is second in the FBS in rushing yards, only behind Heisman-favorite Ashton Jeanty from Boise State.
Inside the red zone, there is no question where the ball is going. Johnson has 12 rushing touchdowns, which is first in the Big Ten.
Spartans defensive coordinator Joe Rossi has sharpened up the front seven for the Green and White. For a unit that was near the bottom of College Football last season is now in the middle of the pack.
Michigan State linebackers Jordan Turner and Cal Halladay will have to step up to corral the Hawkeyes’ rushing attack.
With no imminent threat through the air, expect Rossi to load the box in an attempt to slow down Johnson.
Let’s flip to the other side of the ball:
Linebacker, Jay Higgins
The Hawkeyes program has produced high-end NFL talent over the past few years like Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell, Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper Dejean, and Green Bay Packers defensive end Lukas Van Ness.
Shortly you will be able to add Hawkeyes middle linebacker Jay Higgins to that list.
Higgins, a defensive captain, will be all over the field Saturday night, the fifth-year senior shares the Big Ten lead in tackles with 62.
In 2023, Higgins made 171 tackles, which ranked third in the country earning him All-Big Ten honors.
Spartans quarterback Aidan Chiles has had trouble taking care of the ball, Higgins will take advantage of that. Higgins has two forced fumbles and two interceptions this season.
But the Hawkeyes defense does have some holes, ranking 84th in passing yards allowed.
If the Spartans’ pass protection can give Chiles the time he needs, the throws he needs to make should be available.
The Spartans will host the Hawkeyes at Spartan Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 7:30 p.m.
