Michigan State Football: Game-by-game predictions for 8-game schedule

A week after traveling to Ann Arbor for a tough contest, Michigan State will head to Iowa City to face one of the Big Ten West’s best teams. Iowa will be fielding a new quarterback this season, but the Hawkeyes have plenty of returning talent to contend for a division title.

Plus, playing in Iowa City is never easy.

This game will be much closer than people expect and Michigan State will have the Hawkeyes on upset alert, but they won’t be able to make the plays late to secure a big road win.

Final Score: Michigan State 20, Iowa 23 (1-2)

This is a tough one to judge. Indiana is going to be better than it has been in years and the Hoosiers always seem to play the Spartans tough.

Tom Allen has been building something special in Bloomington and I just don’t think the Spartans will be able to contain Michael Penix Jr. with the defensive line taking a step back this season. He’s going to have all the time in the world and he’ll tire out the MSU defense.

Michigan State will drop its first home game of the Mel Tucker era in heartbreaking fashion.

Final Score: Indiana 27, Michigan State 24 (1-3)