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Michigan State Football: 5 bold predictions vs. Iowa in Week 5

By Connor Muldowney

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 05: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans reaches into the end zone against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 5, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 05: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans reaches into the end zone against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 5, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State football has a big matchup approaching against Iowa and here are five bold predictions for the Week 5 game.

It’s been an interesting start to the season for Michigan State football. The Spartans began the year with two straight convincing victories against MAC foes, but followed those up with a bye week and then a crushing loss to Notre Dame, 38-18.

Mark Dantonio attributed to the turnover-laden defeat to the Irish to youth and growing pains, which has Spartan fans optimistic about a bounce back. Michigan State beat itself last Saturday despite playing solid defense and moving the ball relatively well against the Irish.

With Iowa coming to town on Saturday evening, Michigan State is looking to repeat the result of the 2015 Big Ten Championship. The Spartans are going to need an ‘A’ game from just about everyone, though.

Here are five bold predictions for the matchup.

5. Spartans record four sacks

I predicted Michigan State would get to Brandon Wimbush early and often last week, but I was clearly wrong. It’s not so much because the pass rush was helpless, but rather than Wimbush was quick to sling the ball out on bubble screens and short slants. He held the ball for less than 3-4 seconds seemingly every pass attempt.

This time, it’ll be Nathan Stanley dropping back against the Spartans. Fortunately for Michigan State, he doesn’t have quite the same ability to run with the ball as Wimbush did.

The Spartans will be stacking the box for most of the game and that might lead to some interesting blitz packages to keep the strong Iowa offensive line on its toes. The big guys up front will have a tough time diagnosing the blitzes and that will lead to four sacks by the green and white.

While the Spartan linebackers have recorded a majority of the team’s six sacks this season, the defensive line will account for three out of four on Saturday night. Raequan Williams will lead the way with 1.5, Mike Panasiuk and Naquan Jones will each combine for a half-sack, along with Kenny Willekes.

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