Michigan State vs. Iowa football preview

Spartans look for 2-0 start in Big Ten as they host the Hawkeyes

There was nothing normal about Michigan State’s Big Ten opening 42-29 win last week at Indiana. There were two safeties including one that was called against Indiana because of a holding penalty. It negated a Hoosier 97-yard touchdown pass.

But the Spartans continued to hold the Old Brass Spittoon for another year. And regardless of where a team is playing, winning on the road is never easy.

So the Spartans are going to have to make sure they don’t get distracted by the homecoming festivities as they play host to struggling Iowa in their conference home opener.

And if you want to see some running backs, Spartan Stadium is the place to be. Spartan senior Javon Ringer is second in the nation at 179.4 per game. Iowa’s Shonn Greene is sixth at 133.

There was nothing normal about Michigan State’s Big Ten opening 42-29 win last week at Indiana. There were two safeties including one that was called against Indiana because of a holding penalty. It negated a Hoosier 97-yard touchdown pass.

But the Spartans continued to hold the Old Brass Spittoon for another year. And regardless of where a team is playing, winning on the road is never easy.

So the Spartans are going to have to make sure they don’t get distracted by the homecoming festivities as they play host to struggling Iowa in their conference home opener.

And if you want to see some running backs, Spartan Stadium is the place to be. Spartan senior Javon Ringer is second in the nation at 179.4 per game. Iowa’s Shonn Greene is sixth at 133.

Prediction: Michigan State 20 - Iowa 10

Notable

• With 897 yards, Ringer needs 103 to become the fastest back in school history to reach 1,000 yards. Ringer would do it in six games. Lorenzo White needed seven games to do it 1985. Ringer’s 3,658 yards rank him fourth on the all-time rushing list.
• The last six opponents on Michigan State’s schedule are a combined 19-8. That is among the nation’s toughest schedules.
• Spartan place-kicker Brett Swenson is having a great season. He is 9-for-10 in field goals and has converted all four attempts between 40-49 yards.

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