Michigan State Football: Final score predictions vs. Iowa
Michigan State football will play host to Iowa on Saturday evening and our staff has made their final score predictions.
If there was a game this early in the season that could be dubbed a must-win, this is it. Michigan State football is coming off a tough loss against Notre Dame and before taking on Michigan next week, the Spartans will host a hungry Iowa team also looking for its first Big Ten victory.
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The Hawkeyes are coming off a heartbreaking loss to Penn State in the final seconds while the Spartans beat themselves against the Irish. Which team will prevail in this rematch of the 2015 Big Ten Championship Game?
Here are the score predictions from the Spartan Avenue staff.
Connor Muldowney: Iowa fans are going to have major flashbacks to that 2015 Big Ten Championship Game as the Spartans and Hawkeyes go down to the wire once again. It’ll be a defensive battle all afternoon long, but surprisingly, the Spartans won’t turn the ball over. Still, Iowa will hold a 17-14 lead late in the fourth quarter before LJ Scott scores on an 11-yard scamper over the left tackle. Yes, he will hold onto the ball before he gets there. Michigan State will pick off Nathan Stanley in his attempt to lead a comeback effort.
Final Score: Iowa 17, Michigan State 21
Stephen Robb: This is a classic trap game for both Iowa and MSU. Iowa is coming off an emotional game versus Penn State and Michigan State coming off a frustrating game versus Norte Dame. Iowa is a team that has struggled at times but has also overachieved. I would like to write that the Spartans will win this game and in my heart I do believe that, however, they have shown through three games their inability to stop turning over the pigskin.
If there had been some improvement then I would have picked MSU. Iowa, like Norte Dame, makes teams pay for turnovers. However, look for Michigan State’s run/pass option game to keep Iowa off balance, but it will not be enough. Kirk Ferentz will have his team ready to play and it will come down to which team can execute.
Final Score: Iowa 24, Michigan State 21
Jordan Manigoe: This game all depends on Michigan State’s offense. If Lewerke can make the big throws and get on target, Michigan State will become lethal and may be able to win by more. The Spartans defense will be back on track, I believe. This is a true test for MSU and after the Notre Dame game they got a true test of a real opponent. But I see Michigan State leaning on the run and building up LJ Scott’s confidence before the Michigan game, making a slow-paced hard-nosed classic MSU-Iowa game.
Final Score: Iowa 13, Michigan State 20
Adam Zdroik: Last week’s scores are misleading. The Spartans out-gained the Irish by more than 150 yards, while the Nittany Lions almost had 600 total yards against the Hawkeyes. Assuming Michigan State doesn’t turn the ball over, that will be enough to rebound and come out on top in a low-scoring game.
Final Score: Iowa 14, Michigan State 20
Michael Briggs: Iowa played a terrific game against Penn State last week, but enters Spartan Stadium a little beaten up mentally after collapsing on the game’s final play. Michigan State is also looking to rebound after a disappointing, turnover-filled loss to Notre Dame. I expect this game, like many MSU will play this season, to be a close one.
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To win, Spartans quarterback Brian Lewerke needs to force the Hawkeyes defense to respect his downfield passing ability. The MSU offense has looked very good at times, but it won’t show on the scoreboard if Lewerke isn’t a confident passer — especially against a sound Iowa defense. If the Spartans pull out a win in a tight game against the Hawkeyes, I can see them winning eight to nine games this season. If not, this team might be destined for five or six wins. Until I see it with my own eyes, I can’t pick the Spartans in a close one.
Final Score: Iowa 20, Michigan State 17