MSU, let's talk about them.

[HawktimusPrime]

I think it's likely that the Spartans make it to the B1G dance with Iowa. It's definitely not set in stone, but I don't see them pissing a game against PSU....though they did almost piss it away already against Nebraska.

I really haven't seen too much from them, but I know they are banged up, and I know PSU is capable of busting them up some more.

How do we match up against them? I honestly have no idea who they are as a team at this time in the season.

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

It would/will be a good ol' smash mouth game. MSU is very similar to us, although their D-line is more dominant than ours. If Connor Cook can't go, we'll have a definite edge at QB, but it would/will be a very hard-hitting game with lots if good defense and probably not a lot of scoring.

 

[ANYCHawk]

7 got 6!

 

[Kurt Warner]

Beathard sucked today so I look forward to him redeeming himself and leading us to a big ten title game win.

 

[Tigerhawk22]

I think we match up best with MSU out of the three possible opponents and I like our o-line in a slugfest, plus, Canzeri and Wadley are big play backs which can make all the difference in a slugfest style game.

 

[icu81222]

Let's just hope they all 3 beat the hell out of each other.

I have a feeling MSU is going to smoke PSU and be able to rest some guys.

 

[PCBHAWK]

Beathard sucked today so I look forward to him redeeming himself and leading us to a big ten title game win.

Im looking forward to see what CJ can do in a dome without weather conditions.

 

[brewhawk23]

Doesnt matter who we play, we need to play better than we have been. The offensive line is going to be tested because all 3 teams have dominant defensive lines. Our defense will have to stop the run to win. It will be a tough task whomever we play....

 

[modeba2004]

I think both the offensive and defensive lines are going to be about equal, so we kinda cancel each other out. Their defense does have a better pash rush, but if they over pursue we can take advantage of it. I think our running backs are better. They have a few good receivers but I think we match up well there. Our biggest advantage is against their secondary, very young and can be exploited. The X factor is Connor Cook on whether or not if he plays against Penn St. How effective he will be and if he is able to shake off the rust. That is if he is able to go. I like our chances better against MSU than OSU or Michigan.

 

[Packer54]

It makes me smile that we are having this discussion.

 

[Hawks_Rock_12]

What makes me smile is all the " careful what you wish for " crowd wants no part of Michigan and their new coach. I would love to face Michigan, Hairball and JR in the CCG.

 

[Shafthawk]

If we face MSU, they are going to try to beat us at the line of scrimmage, challenge us man to man. They are going to bring pressure and try to take away our short and mid-range stuff.

We will need to do much better than we have at the deep ball. And our D-line will need to step-up.

We put the ball on the turf way too much against Nebraska, were fortunate to only lose 1 of them.

Also expect Dantonio to try an exotic, and it would be nice to see us make him pay for once.

I would show the team video of Dantonio yuckin' it up on the sideline after a successful fake punt in a recent game.

CJ needs to get back to making real good decisions, take what is there. Don't hold onto the ball too long and give them the chance for a sack and fumble.

 

[mthawkeyes]

The main adjustment the Iowa's OL will have to make against their DL is to maintain blocks half a count longer before working to the LBs. They are quick and will make more plays from the weakside than other opponents have. It would be well-advised to throw in some misdirection early to slow them down a little (like Minnesota did against Iowa). Make them work extra hard to maintain their gap responsibilities rather than attacking upfield.

Their defensive backs play physical. I've stated before that their philosophy is much like MSU basketball. Just do so much holding and pushing that the officials get tired of calling it. So Iowa's ability to open things up via play action could come down to how the game is being officiated. MSU's defensive backfield has had problems this year when the officials were willing throw the flag on their technique.

Their passing game is outstanding when Cook is on. I think it's important to blitz him early, rather that waiting to see how the game is progressing. Blitzing early will change the play-calling to get it out of his hand early, and get Cook looking to get rid of it early. It will also have the OL guessing a little more in pass pro and give JJ and Meier more chances to rush the passer 1-on-1. Taking hits is not advisable for someone with a bad shoulder, so Iowa needs to convince MSU early on that trying to pass downfield is risky. And Iowa needs to marrying its coverage to the blitz. If you know Cook is trying to get rid of the ball early, man up and tighten up.

 

[broth87]

I disagree that Michigan state dline is better than ours. Calhoun is a beast, no denying that. But he has a different set of responsibility than what our kids do. Johnson and bazata played well yesterday against nebby, and ekakitie did a nice job spelling them and rotating. Hesse is solid and rarely out of position. Meier is a beast. It's hard for us to create pressure with the front four because our ends have containment responsibility and can't just pin their ears back let alone mix moves and work inside. Guys don't realize how difficult it is to generate a rush when the oline knows you're working outside every single time and that you have contain. I think MSU it will be easier because cook isn't a big run threat.
I love the matchup with MSU. Ferentz hates Dantonio and I think we're a bad matchup for them. Will be a tight, physical ball game but I think we can move the ball on them and I think the defense can man up on their receivers and control the running game. Can't wait for next week!

 

[bagdropper]

About the only armchair things I know right now is they will equal our physicality and they hit very hard. But I think it'll be hard to place a label on them offensively until we see Cook play/throw today.

All this being said, they aren't as good defensively as they have been in the past, have had injuries galore especially to their secondary and QB, and I think way too much importance has been placed on them beating a very ordinary (for them) OSU (despite their record) in a driving rain. That game was right out of the 70's as far as offensive playcalling and strategy.

But, this is MSU under Dantonio. We know what to expect. Also, it's not like Iowa has gotten kicked around by them historically. Iowa is 4-3 against him, one side each has a blowout win - Iowa's being 2010 when Iowa somewhat underachieved and MSU went 11-2 (only regular season loss was Iowa 37-6).

The rest of the games were very competitive. The last meeting was 2013, where if my memory is good Iowa jumped to an early lead, but MSU then sort of beat Iowa up defensively and shut Iowa down the rest of the way.

This won't be the rubber stamp the pundits will wish for. Probably the most physical game Iowa will play this year to this point (assuming MSU wins of course).

 

[yerpHAWK]

IF we pass for 200, run for 200, and win the turnover battle we win. We're undefeated this season when doing that.

 

[aurorabimmer]

Just win baby, just focus on whomever we play.

 

[Cruo]

IF we pass for 200, run for 200, and win the turnover battle we win. We're undefeated this season when doing that.

Agreed. I also think we need to either receive the ball first or kick it off to start the game. We've been the better team every time we've done one of those two things.