***OFFICIAL IOWA VS SPARTY PREDICTION THREAD***

WinOneThisCentury said:
Ok...I'm going to say it...i gotta bad feeling about this game. I hope I'm wrong...i really do, but I think Sparty presents a couple of unique challenges for us. First off, their corners will play physical and man up with our WR...I'm just not sure we have a guy that can beat them deep, other than Powell, but I expect them to maul him at the line of scrimmage. To beat that coverage you have to make them pay over the top once in awhile. Can we get someone open in their press coverage.

The second issue is that our offensive guards (mostly Walsh and Boffeli) have had issues with large bull rushing tackles...well, Sparty has 3-4 of them that are pretty active. If the pocket collapses, Rudock won't have much opportunity for timing throws and it's going to be improvise time. It's hard to do that consistently against a good defense.

Lastly, Sparty can stop the run...and I expect them to commit to it big time...Rudock is going to have to throw them out of that scheme...if they are getting pressure...this is going to be difficult. Our offense hasn't played anyone this good in the front seven.

The road game at Minnesota didn't bother me and I felt we would win by two touchdowns at least...well, this game has me kind of freaked that a few of our weaknesses will be really exploited on offense.

I don't mean to rain on the parade, but for some reason, my thoughts are somewhat negative and that's unusual...see my signature.
Click to expand...

The game will come down to Iowa's defense and special teams. Iowa will need short fields and to keep MSU's defense on the field.
 
Hard to say. I think both offenses are challenged through the air, and if there are 20-30mph winds on Saturday, doesn't matter if Tom Brady is on either side. The wind will change the game.

Even without the wind, this will be the best defense Iowa has faced, and it may be the best defense they face all year. Field position is going to be crucial, and that will put a lot of pressure on the special teams and kickers.

Does anyone feel very good about our punter? It's critical that he is mistake free with his kicks. If it's windy it'll be tough for the punters too, but even worse if he's not on his game.

I haven't seen any of MSU, but I've read enough to know their offense is still struggling. I think both teams will do the same thing, focus on shutting down the run, dare QB to make play over top.

I'll go with a 13-7 Iowa win
 
This is one game that Kirk seems to have the guys ready for. He usually seems to have a pretty good game plan against MSU. This years team is better than last year's. That's not even a debate. This year there is a lot of talk about how good Michigan State's defense is. The argument against this is that Michigan State hasn't played anyone except Notre Dame. Well neither has Iowa. Except NIU. Just because the opposition is bad doesn't necessarily translate to the winning team being not that good. And this game is at Kinnick. Big advantage.

Expect the same game plan against Iowa. Force them to pass. Stop the run. Same game plan that Iowa is going to have. Michigan State has a good defense against Iowa's average offense. A lot depends on how good the bye week works for Michigan State's offense. Pressure them and they revert to their bad habits. Iowa's offense may lack explosive scoring potential but they are well led. I don't expect Jake to fall apart when he feels pressure. Not so sure about Michigan State's QB of the moment.
Iowa wins 23-10.
 
It will be a miserable nail biter if the hawks continue to get penalties in the redzone. I hope that this last bit of clean up is behind us.

Expect the hawks to throw deep much like Notre Dame did. And I expect Rudock to be rolling out, more often than straigh drop back passing.

big question mark - Can Iowa's WR's get free from press coverage? If they can often enough I think the hawks can win this thing.
 
Kirk knows Dantonio is a piece of **** and seems to always have the troops ready for Thug U of the Midwest. Kinda like how he seems to always have them ready for Penn State. I'll go with 24-14 Iowa. Maybe flip the ****** and use the pass to set up the run instead of vice versa, since MSU will likely load the box initially.
 
Iowa 21 - 17. I think JR will come out throwing, knowing that MSU will be trying to shut down the run. I look for the first series with a lot of passes. Wear em down - then run.
 
2 more cents.................


did you know? The Hawkeyes have won 10 of the past 15 meetings against the Spartans.

here's another angle.............

We've all seen teams with good defenses get their *** beat because the D was on the field too much because the offense could not keep control of the ball. anyone remember Iowa 2007 - pretty good D but they just got worn out.

his just occured to me...ball control will be the key, just keep the sparty O over on the sidelines. Wear out Sparty's D and the plays will come in the 4th quarter.
 
I think this game will be a lot like the Minnesota game stylistically, but I think MSU has a better D and worse O than the Goophs. I think Iowa's defense will control the line of scrimmage and hold MSU's scoring down, but I really don't know what to think about what Iowa can do offensively against the best defense they've faced so far.

My guess:
Iowa 13, MSU 10
 
Iowa scored 13 in regulation last year with a way worse offense. I think they score 20 this year. Vandenberg was horrible especially on third down. He did make one great play in that game on the final drive to tie the game though. This years offense has a better running game and more efficient QB and playing at home.

The increase in 3rd down efficiency really stands out. Last year at this point they were converting 40% of third downs and opponents were converting about 36% of third downs.
This year they are converting 52% of third downs and limiting teams to only 25% on 3rd downs.

If Iowa wins the TO battle I think they control the game
 
David79 said:
Iowa scored 13 in regulation last year with a way worse offense. I think they score 20 this year. Vandenberg was horrible especially on third down. He did make one great play in that game on the final drive to tie the game though. This years offense has a better running game and more efficient QB and playing at home.

The increase in 3rd down efficiency really stands out. Last year at this point they were converting 40% of third downs and opponents were converting about 36% of third downs.
This year they are converting 52% of third downs and limiting teams to only 25% on 3rd downs.

If Iowa wins the TO battle I think they control the game
Click to expand...

Iowa's 3rd down defensive efficiency isn't sustainable, but so long as the offense remains healthy I think the offensive efficiency is.
 
i think Iowa's O does just enough to get by, and completely bottles up anything MSU wants to do on O.

also, if you think MSU faked injuries against a slow down O, i bet they'll be rolling on the field all second half against Iowa's uptempo O.
 
MSU @ IOWA scores

2011
MSU (11-3) 37 . . Iowa (7-6) 21

2010
MSU (11-2) 6 . . Iowa (8-5) 37

2007
MSU (7-6) 27 . . Iowa (6-6) 34

AVG Score
Iowa 31
MSU 27


The lower scoring games have been at MSU - not Iowa. Things that make ya' go 'hmmmm'

2012
Iowa (4-8) 19 MSU (7-6) 14

2009
Iowa (11-2) 15 . . MSU (6-7) 13

2008
Iowa (9-4) 13 . . MSU (9-4) 16

Avg Score

Iowa 16
MSU 15
Iowa is 2-1 home and 2-1 away vs Sparty since 2008


Iowa had the bye last season before the MSU game (after thumping Minnesota) while MSU squeaked by Indiana. MSU has the bye this season (after Iowa thumped Minnesota).

I like the trend at Kinnick + MSU offense not being good - weather.

Iowa 20 MSU 10
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Iowa’s offense a does a decent job against Sparty between the twenties but bogs down in the red zone.
Iowa’s defense shuts down the run.
Iowa’s defensive zone will be a bit too soft allowing occasional success to Sparty’s mediocre QB.
Excessive penalties will come back to bite Sparty.
Wind gusts might pick up Saturday afternoon and could be a bit of a factor with a new QB.

Iowa 16, Michigan State 13
 
Wow, lot of confidence all of the sudden. Not so fast my friends. Iowa will let them stay close and I expect a classic KF blunder that allows MSU to get in field goal range and win:
MSU: 16
Iowa: 14

Here's to hoping I'm completely wrong.
 
DDThompson said:
MSU @ IOWA scores

2011
MSU (11-3) 37 . . Iowa (7-6) 21

2010
MSU (11-2) 6 . . Iowa (8-5) 37

2007
MSU (7-6) 27 . . Iowa (6-6) 34

AVG Score
Iowa 31
MSU 27


The lower scoring games have been at MSU - not Iowa. Things that make ya' go 'hmmmm'

2012
Iowa (4-8) 19 MSU (7-6) 14

2009
Iowa (11-2) 15 . . MSU (6-7) 13

2008
Iowa (9-4) 13 . . MSU (9-4) 16

Avg Score

Iowa 16
MSU 15
Iowa is 2-1 home and 2-1 away vs Sparty since 2008


Iowa had the bye last season before the MSU game (after thumping Minnesota) while MSU squeaked by Indiana. MSU has the bye this season (after Iowa thumped Minnesota).

I like the trend at Kinnick + MSU offense not being good - weather.

Iowa 20 MSU 10
Click to expand...

Iowa seems to play more careful on the road than at home under Kirk (and they obviously can be pretty conservative at home). That may have something to do with the low scoring games on the road.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Share this page

Top