The Iowa Hawkeyes (6-3, 3-2 B1G Legends) will kickoff Senior Day with Michigan State (7-2, 4-1 B1G Legends), with first place in the Legends Division on the line. The game is televised on ESPN2 at 11 a.m. Central Time. ESPNs preview.
Iowa has beat Michigan State each time at Kinnick Stadium, since 1989. However, there have been some close games in the series, including a double OT game in 2007, when Iowa beat Michigan State 34-27. Last year, Iowa beat Michigan State 37-6, which was the Spartans lone loss in the Big Ten and the regular season. The Hawkeyes have beat the Spartans seven straight times at Kinnick Stadium by a 15 point margin, but like the 2007 game, this year's game should be a close one. The Spartans are favored by three points.
However, the road has been tough for many teams in 2011. Iowa is 6-0 at Kinnick this year, but 0-3 on the road. Michigan State has lost twice on the road this season with a non-conference game at Notre Dame, then at Nebraska in Big Ten play.
The quarterbacks will be a key position to watch in the Iowa-MSU match up. Senior #8 Kirk Cousins leads the Spartans offensive attack. Last year in Iowa City, Cousins had his worse game, according to Phil Steele, with three interceptions, with two that lead to 13 first half points for the Hawkeyes. Iowa is lead at quarterback by a first year starter, in junior #16 James Vandenberg.
Offensively, Iowa has three of the top performers statistically in the Big Ten, with Vandenberg at QB, sophomore RB #34 Marcus Coker and senior WR #7 Marvin McNutt. Michigan State has one of the Big Ten's best defensive squads. In Iowa's road loss at Penn State, defensive strength from the Nittany Lions kept the Iowa offense off track all game, in a 13-3 loss. Will another top defense cause Iowa problems? With the game at Kinnick Stadium, Iowa's offense should play better? If they are going to defeat Michigan State, they will have to or it could be a long day for the Hawkeyes.
On defense, Michigan State is lead by super sophomores, like DE #2 William Gholston, LB #28 Denicos Allen and CB #31 Darqueze Dennard, all first year starters. Junior DT #99 Jerel Worthy is outstanding, along with two other returning starters in a strong Spartan defensive line. Junior CB #5 Johnny Adams is another good player for the Spartans to keep an eye on.
Success at Kinnick Stadium will start with the play of the offensive and defensive lines. The Iowa-MSU game should be a very physical game. The victory will most likely go to the team that establishes the better line play, whether that be on offense or on defense. Special teams will also be an important aspect of the game.
Senior Day at Kinnick, with a look at the Big Ten statistical breakdown: Iowa vs. MSU:
SCORING OFFENSE G TD FG XPT 2XP DXP Saf Points Avg/G
5. Iowa 5 17 5 17 0 0 0 134 26.8
8. Michigan State 5 14 3 12 1 0 1 109 21.8
MSU is weakest scoring offense of Iowa, UNL and Purdue
SCORING DEFENSE G TD FG XPT 2XP DXP Saf Points Avg/G
t3. Michigan State 5 13 3 13 0 0 0 100 20.0
6. Iowa 5 13 6 10 0 0 0 106 21.2
Strongest scoring defense of teams left for Iowa
TOTAL OFFENSE G Rush Pass Plays Yards Avg/P TD Avg/G
6. Iowa 5 842 994 294 1836 6.2 16 367.2
9. Michigan State 5 600 1042 308 1642 5.3 12 328.4
Iowa beat #2 Northwestern and #3 Michigan and #8 IU at Kinnick in B1G
TOTAL DEFENSE G Rush Pass Plays Yards Avg/P TD Avg/G
3. Michigan State 5 647 909 338 1556 4.6 13 311.2
8. Iowa 5 906 1092 367 1998 5.4 13 399.6
Illinois ranks best in this stat, with PSU #2 and MSU #3. Michigan is #4.
RUSHING OFFENSE G Att Yards Avg. TD Yards/G
8. Iowa 5 177 842 4.8 8 168.4
12. Michigan State 5 160 600 3.8 4 120.0
How well will MSU run the ball at Kinnick? Could be biggest factor in game?
RUSHING DEFENSE G Att Yards Avg. TD Yards/G
3. Michigan State 5 214 647 3.0 5 129.4
8. Iowa 5 211 906 4.3 5 181.2
PSU ranks #1 and Michigan ranks #2. Iowa appears to be improving in run offense. Will Iowa show another back vs. MSU? Or, will it continue to be all Marcus Coker attacking MSU's run defense?
PASS OFFENSE G Comp Att Int Pct. Yards Avg. TD Avg/G
5. Michigan State 5 89 148 3 60.1 1042 7.0 8 208.4
6. Iowa 5 73 117 3 62.4 994 8.5 8 198.8
Iowa beat the #1 Northwestern and #3 Michigan at home. Didn't play UW or Illinois.
PASS DEFENSE G Comp Att Int Pct. Yards Avg. TD Avg/G
4. Michigan State 5 64 124 7 51.6 909 7.3 8 181.8
11. Iowa 5 97 156 3 62.2 1092 7.0 8 218.4
#11 and #12 Iowa and Northwestern, respectively pulled off big wins this past weekend.
PASS EFFICIENCY Offense G Comp Att Int Pct. Yards TD Effic.
3. Iowa 5 73 117 3 62.4 994 8 151.2
6. Michigan State 5 89 148 3 60.1 1042 8 133.1
Big game for James Vandenberg vs. MSU.
PASS DEFENSE EFFIC. G Comp Att Int Pct. Yards TD Effic.
6. Michigan State 5 64 124 7 51.6 909 8 123.2
9. Iowa 5 97 156 3 62.2 1092 8 134.1
Purdue and Nebraska rank better in this category.
KICKOFF RETURNS G No. Yards TD Avg.
5. Iowa 5 17 392 0 23.1
7. Michigan State 5 19 417 0 21.9
Field position is always important and Iowa's coverage units have been improving, since ISU game.
PUNT RETURN AVG G No. Yards TD Avg.
3. Michigan State 5 11 109 1 9.9
8. Iowa 5 4 19 0 4.8
Micah Hyde is getting more comfortable and made some big catches on windy day at Kinnick vs. Michigan. Iowa needs to make sure this isn't an area where MSU shines.
INTERCEPTIONS G No. Yards TD Avg.
2. Michigan State 5 7 70 1 10.0
8. Iowa 5 3 103 1 34.3
PSU leads the B1G. Iowa's offense needs to avoid mistakes. Turnovers helped Iowa this past weekend.
PUNTING G No. Yards Avg/P Ret. Avg. TB Net/P
4. Iowa 5 14 535 38.2 16 1.1 1 35.6
9. Michigan State 5 28 1073 38.3 74 2.6 2 34.2
Field position game is always important for Iowa.
KICKOFF COVERAGE G No. Yards Avg. Return TB Net Avg.
3. Michigan State 5 21 1356 64.6 279 6 45.6
6. Iowa 5 27 1655 61.3 455 0 44.4
MSU has 6 TBs to Iowa's 0 in B1G play this year.
FIELD GOALS G Made-Att Pct.
8. Iowa 5 5-7 .714
11. Michigan State 5 3-5 .600
In close games, Alabama witnessed how important FGs can be in last night's game vs. LSU.
PAT KICKING G Made-Att Pct.
t1. Iowa 5 17-17 1.000
Michigan State 5 12-12 1.000
Iowa has been scoring more TDs, basically one more per game than MSU in the B1G.
SACKS BY G No. Yards
1. Michigan State 5 21 151
12. Iowa 5 6 56
Night and day differences when it comes to sacks and pressuring the QB.
SACKS AGAINST G No. Yards
t5. Michigan State 5 10 61
8. Iowa 5 14 107
Which O-Line protects better on Saturday?
FIRST DOWNS G Rush Pass Pen Total Avg/G
8. Iowa 5 46 40 5 91 18.2
10. Michigan State 5 28 47 5 80 16.0
Big plays on offense are always important in games.
OPPONENT 1ST DOWNS G Rush Pass Pen Total Avg/G
7. Michigan State 5 36 45 14 95 19.0
9. Iowa 5 51 54 6 111 22.2
Iowa gives up first downs, but can they hold down the big plays?
3RD-DOWN CONVERSIONS G Conv. Att. Pct.
6. Iowa 5 22 54 40.7
10. Michigan State 5 25 71 35.2
First and second down will be important on Saturday.
OPP 3RD-DN CONVERT G Conv. Att. Pct.
3. Michigan State 5 24 69 34.8
10. Iowa 5 38 77 49.4
Michigan is #2 in this category, next up Michigan State.
4TH-DOWN CONVERSIONS G Conv. Att. Pct.
9. Iowa 5 4 9 44.4
10. Michigan State 5 3 7 42.9
Both coaches are likely conservative on 4th down.
OPP 4TH-DN CONVERT G Conv. Att. Pct.
t3. Michigan State 5 3 7 42.9
10. Iowa 5 6 8 75.0
Hopefully for Iowa, it will not come done to 4Th down conversions?
PENALTIES G No. Yards Avg/G
1. Iowa 5 22 153 30.6
10. Michigan State 5 33 308 61.6
MSU isn't dirty and physical are they?
OPPONENT PENALTIES G No. Yards Avg/G
2. Michigan State 5 37 293 58.6
5. Iowa 5 29 255 51.0
Who will play more sound on Saturday? Michigan leads B1G in this stat.
TIME OF POSSESSION G Poss. Time Avg/G
t7. Michigan State 5 144:37 28:55
11. Iowa 5 136:54 27:22
Opponent offenses are keeping the ball longer vs. each.
Gained Lost
TURNOVER MARGIN G Fumb Int Total Fumb Int Total Margin Per/G
t4. Iowa 5 3 3 6 2 3 5 +1 0.20
t9. Michigan State 5 0 7 7 5 3 8 -1 -0.20
Huge stat typically, in a game where Iowa has won at Kinnick every game, even OT games, since 1989.
Red Zone Touchdowns Field Goals Lost possession
RED ZONE OFFENSE G Scores-Chances Pct. TDs Rush-Pass Made-Att Fumb Int. Downs Other
5. Iowa 5 15-18 83.3 11 8-3 4-6 1 0 0 0
11. Michigan State 5 8-11 72.7 7 2-5 1-1 0 1 2 0
Only Nebraksa is better (#5) in red zone offense in the Legends.
Red Zone Touchdowns Field Goals Lost possession
RED ZONE DEFENSE G Scores-Chances Pct. TDs Rush-Pass Made-Att Fumb Int. Downs Other
2. Iowa 5 17-24 70.8 12 5-7 5-5 0 3 3 1
8. Michigan State 5 11-13 84.6 8 4-4 3-4 0 0 1 0
Iowa leads defenses in the Legends in this category now.
ON-SIDE KICKS BY G On-side Pct.
t2.Michigan State 5 0-0 0.0
Iowa 5 0-0 0.0
ON-SIDE KICKS AGAINST G On-side Pct.
1. Michigan State 5 0-1 0.0
12. Iowa 5 1-3 33.3
Hopefully, Iowa will not need a onside kick to win.
RUSHING Cl G Att. Yards Avg. TD Long Avg/G
1. Coker, Marcus-IOWA SO 5 124 721 5.8 8 50 144.2
9. Bell, Le'Veon-MSU SO 5 64 311 4.9 2 35 62.2
A healthy Marcus Coker has emerged in conference play.
PASSING AVG/GAME Cl G Comp-Att-Int Pct. Yards TD Long Avg/G
4. Cousins, Kirk-MSU SR 5 89 - 148 - 3 60.1 1042 8 69 208.4
5. Vandenberg, J.-IOWA JR 5 73 - 117 - 3 62.4 994 8 80 198.8
Which QB will have more success on Saturday?
PASS EFFICIENCY Cl G Comp-Att-Int Pct. Yards TD Long Effic.
3. Vandenberg, J.-IOWA JR 5 73 - 117 - 3 62.4 994 8 80 151.2
7. Cousins, Kirk-MSU SR 5 89 - 148 - 3 60.1 1042 8 69 133.1
Iowa just faced the #6 QB in this category with D. Robinson.
RECEPTIONS/GAME Cl G Rec. Yards TD Long Avg/C Avg/G Rec/G
3. McNutt, Marvin-IOWA SR 5 32 546 5 80 17.1 109.2 6.4
4. Martin, Keshawn-MSU SR 5 25 252 3 25 10.1 50.4 5.0
t7. Cunningham, B.-MSU SR 5 22 399 2 69 18.1 79.8 4.4
When Iowa wins, Vandenberg and the offense usually find a way to get the ball to McNutt.
RECEIVE YDS/GAME Cl G Rec. Yards TD Long Rec/G Avg/C Avg/G
2. McNutt, Marvin-IOWA SR 5 32 546 5 80 6.4 17.1 109.2
4. Cunningham, B.-MSU SR 5 22 399 2 69 4.4 18.1 79.8
8. Davis, Keenan-IOWA JR 4 13 229 1 47 3.2 17.6 57.2
The return of Keenan Davis was big in win over Michigan.
TOTAL OFFENSE Cl G Rush Pass Plays Total Yds/G
8. Vandenberg, J.-IOWA JR 5 28 994 151 1022 204.4
9. Cousins, Kirk-MSU SR 5 -45 1042 164 997 199.4
SCORING Cl G TD FG XPT 2XP Pts Pts/G
t2. Coker, Marcus-IOWA SO 5 8 0 0 0 48 9.6
10. Meyer, Mike-IOWA SO 5 0 5 17 0 32 6.4
Iowa needs both these players producing, if they are going to surpass MSU.
SCORING (TDs) Cl G TD Rush Pass Ret. PAT Pts Pts/G
t2. Coker, Marcus-IOWA SO 5 8 8 0 0 0 48 9.6
t4. McNutt, Marvin-IOWA SR 5 5 0 5 0 0 30 6.0
Iowa has a one-two punch on offense, as long as Vandenberg has offense in sync.
SCORING (KICK) Cl G PATs FGs Pts Pts/G
7. Meyer, Mike-IOWA SO 5 17-17 5-7 32 6.4
10. Conroy, Dan-MSU JR 5 12-12 3-5 21 4.2
As Alabama found out vs. LSU and Iowa vs. Minnesota, you have to execute and put points on the board.
PUNT RETURN AVG Cl G No. Yards TD Long Avg.
2. Martin, Keshawn-MSU SR 5 10 73 0 15 7.3
Iowa has dipped in this category. How many games has Martin played vs. Iowa in his career?
KICK RETURN AVG Cl G No. Yards TD Long Avg.
4. Bernstine, J.-IOWA SR 5 12 300 0 62 25.0
7. Hill, Nick-MSU FR 5 16 364 0 62 22.8
Each has a 62 yard return... which KOR team will play better on Saturday?
ALL PURPOSE Cl G Rush Rcv PR KR Yards Yards/G
3. Coker, Marcus-IOWA SO 5 721 38 0 0 759 151.8
9. McNutt, Marvin-IOWA SR 5 26 546 0 14 586 117.2
Does Iowa get on sync agaisnt defensive minded MSU team?
PUNTING Cl G No. Yards Long Avg.
6. Sadler, Mike-MSU FR 5 28 1073 51 38.3
7. Guthrie, Eric-IOWA SR 5 14 535 49 38.2
Coverage units need to step up in this game.
FIELD GOALS Cl G Made Att. Pct. Made/G
6. Meyer, Mike-IOWA SO 5 5 7 71.4 1.00
t9. Conroy, Dan-MSU JR 5 3 5 60.0 0.60
Will this game come down to the little things, such as a FG?
FIELD GOAL PCT Cl G Made Att. Long Pct.
6. Meyer, Mike-IOWA SO 5 5 7 47 71.4
9. Conroy, Dan-MSU JR 5 3 5 50 60.0
Iowa and MSU both typically are sound in special teams.
PAT KICKING PCT Cl G Made Att. Pct.
t1. Meyer, Mike-IOWA SO 5 17 17 100.0
Conroy, Dan-MSU JR 5 12 12 100.0
In the Iowa-Michigan game, we witnessed how important an XP can be.
TACKLES (All positions) Cl G Pos. Solo Ast. Total Avg/G Sacks
5. Morris, James-IOWA SO 4 LB 21 23 44 11.0 0.0
8. Gholston, W.-MSU SO 4 DE 15 22 37 9.2 3.0
10. Nielsen, Tyler-IOWA SR 4 LB 16 18 34 8.5 1.0
t11. Bernstine, J.-IOWA SR 5 DB 18 24 42 8.4 0.0
Kirksey, C.-IOWA SO 5 LB 23 19 42 8.4 0.0
t17. Lewis, Isaiah-MSU SO 5 17 21 38 7.6 0.0
Miller, Tanner-IOWA SO 5 DB 28 10 38 7.6 0.0
t23. Bullough, Max-MSU SO 5 LB 11 23 34 6.8 1.5
t36. Robinson, T.-MSU SR 5 19 12 31 6.2 0.0
Sophomores lead MSU in defense.
SACKS Cl G Pos. Solo Ast. Yards Total Avg/G
t2. Allen, Denicos-MSU SO 5 LB 4 2 38 5.0 1.00
11. Gholston, W.-MSU SO 4 DE 2 2 20 3.0 0.75
t14. Binns, B.-IOWA SR 5 DL 2 1 21 2.5 0.50
t17. Adams, Johnny-MSU JR 5 CB 2 0 18 2.0 0.40
Rush, Marcus-MSU FR 5 DE 2 0 17 2.0 0.40
MSU will get pressure from a variety of players over the defense. Iowa needs Binns to play solid again and other players to step up in game vs. MSU.
TACKLES FOR LOSS Cl G Pos. Solo Ast. Yards Total Avg/G
7. Gholston, W.-MSU SO 4 DE 6 3 29 7.5 1.88
t10. Allen, Denicos-MSU SO 5 LB 4 4 40 6.0 1.20
Binns, B.-IOWA SR 5 DL 5 2 32 6.0 1.20
19. Rush, Marcus-MSU FR 5 DE 4 1 21 4.5 0.90
TFL will help defenses get off the field and force offenses to get behind the sticks. What will we see Saturday?
PASSES DEFENDED Cl G BrUp Int. Total Avg/G
t1. Hyde, Micah-IOWA JR 5 4 1 5 1.00
Robinson, T.-MSU SR 5 2 3 5 1.00
t8. Binns, B.-IOWA SR 5 4 0 4 0.80
t16. Lowery, B.J.-IOWA SO 4 3 0 3 0.75
Iowa needs some breaks in pass defense to continue.
INTERCEPTIONS Cl G No. Yards TD Long Avg/G
1. Robinson, T.-MSU SR 5 3 6 0 6 0.60
t3. Lewis, Isaiah-MSU SO 5 2 39 1 39 0.40
MSU has two ball hawks in pass defense. Iowa needs to step up and likely force some, if they plan to upset MSU.
FUMBLES FORCED Cl G No. Avg/G
t7. Nielsen, Tyler-IOWA SR 4 1 0.25
Gholston, W.-MSU SO 4 1 0.25
Forcing turnovers... big for Iowa and MSU on occassion!
FUMBLES RECOVERED Cl G No. Avg/G
t3. Nielsen, Tyler-IOWA SR 4 1 0.25
t7. Bigach, Steve-IOWA JR 5 1 0.20
Defense often wins championships. The Legends division race will be on the line at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday. Who steps up?
Iowa has won 16 of last 21 finales at home. Iowa has had MSU's number at Kinnick, since 1989. Kirk Cousins had worse game of his career at Iowa LY in 37-6 loss. Cousins threw three INTs leading to 13 Iowa points.
MSU has a new OC this year and 3 of 5 new starters in offensive line, so those two areas likely are part of MSU's dip in offense in 2011. Iowa's defense has dipped due to loss of talent to NFL and graduation.
Iowa 27, MSU 22 when looking at B1G games
How much will Kinnick be worth for Iowa? 5 points?
MSU opponents 20, Iowa opponents 21 games
Numbers are good for Iowa, but MSU has played better opponents? We shall see, our game prediction is Iowa 27, Michigan State 22.
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