Prediction, Game Preview, and Betting Lines for Iowa vs. Michigan State

Iowa might be able to win the whole thing.

The game against Ohio State is over, there are no more games against Oregon or Michigan, and the 40-16 win over Washington happened.

It is likely that the Hawkeyes will win the rest of the games, but this could be the most dangerous home game left.

Following games against Ohio State and Oregon, Michigan State had two weeks off. Their next games are at Michigan, against Indiana, and at Illinois. It needs to win this or it could lose seven games in a row.

Iowa vs Michigan State Preview

Iowa vs Michigan State How to Watch
Date: Saturday, October 19, 2024
Game Time: 7:30 pm ET
Venue: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI
How to Watch: NBC
Michigan State (3-3), Iowa (4-2)

Why Iowa Will Win

Think about what would happen if Iowa was still Iowa, but on a whole new level.

They know how to do what they do better than the Hawkeyes. The offensive line is playing better than it has in a few years, and there is just enough of a passing game to keep things interesting. It does not matter when they have the ball; the defense is staying strong.

Over 200 yards are gained on the ground every game, there are no mistakes (Iowa is No. 1 in the country in this category), and the turnover margin is good.

They are not great at stopping the run, get slammed with fouls, and turn the ball over a lot, but…

Why Michigan State Will Win

There was only one mistake against Oregon, so the turnovers kind of stopped. The offense has a lot of potential, and it all depends on how well the run defense can play. Here’s where the last two weeks come in.

Michigan State has won when it has given up less than 152 running yards. It lost when it gave up more than that to Boston College, Ohio State, and Oregon.

The defense at Michigan State is not even close to being as good as Ohio State’s, but Iowa’s running game has been stopped before.

The Hawkeyes lost both games where their running game fell short of 220 yards. When it did, they won.

This season, Michigan State has not given up 220 yards on the ground yet.

Iowa vs Michigan State: Who Will Win

Michigan State will stay in the game for a while because their offense will put together two scoring runs to get things going. But Iowa will keep working hard, and the Spartans will make mistakes.

In the second half, Michigan State’s running game will not work at all because the offense will stop moving the ball. That is when Iowa’s slow drip turns into a flood.