3 most important Michigan State football games in 2024

2. Iowa (Oct. 19)

Again, if this were strictly about the toughest games, we wouldn't see Iowa in the top three, but the Hawkeyes coming to East Lansing on Oct. 19 will present an interesting test for the Spartans.

Michigan State will almost surely be coming off a loss to Ohio State and the Iowa game is sandwiched between the Buckeyes and a road game against Michigan. Losing to Iowa could very much mean that the Spartans will be in the middle of a three-game losing skid and it could even be four if they lose at Boston College in Week 4 before Ohio State.

Beating Iowa at home, however, would not only shatter the potential for a long losing skid, but it would give Michigan State the confidence and momentum needed heading into a bye week before Michigan. Just imagine how confident this team will be if it takes down a true Big Ten contender at home before heading down the road to play the new-look Wolverines.

Iowa is going to be one of the better teams in the conference this year but this could be Jonathan Smith's first signature win and it would come at the perfect time.