Michigan State Football: 3 goals and a prediction for Iowa matchup

Another week, another tough matchup for Michigan State football. This week, the Spartans take on the Iowa Hawkeyes at night with a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff. Not sure why this game is in primetime seeing as both teams are projected to be worse than the preseason predictions and both will more than likely have brand new offensive coordinators by the beginning of next year.

But nevertheless, the entire nation will be subjected to the offensive play-calling of Brian Ferentz and Jay Johnson and I say offensive not as in the team being in possession of the ball, I mean offensive as in abhorrent, repulsive, and repugnant.

There’s a line in the movie Moneyball where Billy Beane says, “Would you rather get a bullet to the head or five to the chest and bleed to death?” Well, my friends, get ready to have five bullets to the eyes and bleed out for 3.5 hours if you’re a fan of points.

But if the Spartans want to keep it close, here’s what they have to do.

1. Take the points in Iowa territory

Look, the fourth-and-short play-calling is already questionable at best. Running a shotgun inside run in a game where points are going to be at a premium (Caesar’s has +129 for just MSU to score 14 points) is grounds for immediate termination.

A sustained drive that results in three points is a win at any point in the first three quarters or with a lead. The Iowa offense is probably thinking the same thing seeing as they have not hit their goal of 25 points per game, averaging just 21.3, tied for last in the Big Ten.

Michigan State is only converting on 43 percent of their fourth-down attempts anyway so it’s not like these gambles are paying off.

Take the points, celebrate that there’s a competent kicker on this team, and don’t give this Iowa team any momentum.