Michigan State Football: 3 things to know about Iowa
![Sep 23, 2023; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Cade McNamara (12) looks to throw a pass during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports Sep 23, 2023; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Cade McNamara (12) looks to throw a pass during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/f911c008fac9476cc0477174aadd0c3cdc64c01f796a9447cf5d690536905278.jpg)
This week, Michigan State football goes on the road for the first time in a brutal test against Iowa in primetime. While a night game at Iowa seemed like a sure loss at the beginning of the season, it now looks like a lean loss.
The Spartans are 11.5-point underdogs and while I wouldn’t bet anything about this game with someone else’s money, it’s becoming an increasingly intriguing matchup. Iowa is coming off a throttling, losing to Penn State 31-0, while MSU really beat itself.
Here’s some more information on the Spartans’ upcoming opponent.
1. Iowa’s offense is in disarray
For a team that put so much emphasis on scoring 25 points per game prior to the season, they sure hate moving the ball. The Hawkeyes rank dead last in the Big Ten in both yards per game and points per game.
Offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz is rumored to have to average 25 points per game over the span of the entire season or lose his job. At this rate, they are scoring 21.3 points per game and need to average 26 points per game from now until the end of the season. Also, that was before the quarterback threw him under the bus.
Earlier this week, former Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara was asked why the wide receivers on the team only had a total of 14 catches combined through four games and his answer was “I’m just the quarterback, I’m not calling the plays or doing any of that.”
So yes, there seems to be trouble in
paradise
the nightmare that is the Iowa Hawkeye offense.