With a win, MSU will be in the driver’s seat in the conference race and move a step closer to an undefeated season. If Iowa wins, it will move to 3-1 in the Big Ten and move into a tie atop the Big Ten.

The Spartans’ rushing game will have to play its best game Saturday after being bottled up the last two outings against Illinois and Northwestern.

MSU can benefit if junior quarterback Kirk Cousins can follow up his big passing game from last week.

Here’s a look at four individual matchups that will determine Saturday’s game…

MSU passing offense vs. Iowa secondary

The Spartans’ skill at wide receiver will challenge an Iowa pass defense that ranks fifth in the Big Ten in giving up 205.0 yards per game.

The Hawkeyes’ veteran group of defensive backs is led by safeties Tyler Sash and Brett Greenwood.

But the group’s trying to rebound after giving up more than 500 combined passing yards the past two weeks against Wisconsin and Michigan.

Cousins played well down the stretch in last week’s win against Northwestern, going 29-for-43 for 331 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Spartans from deficits of 17 in the first half and 10 in the second half.

Junior wide receiver Keith Nichol made two huge catches late in Saturday’s game that allowed the Spartans to face manageable third or fourth down plays and might factor into Saturday’s
game.

If junior wide receiver Keshawn Martin, who was injured early in last week’s game and didn’t return, is able to give it a go, MSU should have an advantage in this matchup.
Edge: MSU

Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi vs. MSU secondary

Last season, the Spartans held Stanzi to 138 yards and a touchdown in an outstanding defensive effort, and a follow-up performance would go a long ways toward a Spartan victory.

Stanzi is averaging 247.4 yards per game, which ranks 30th in the Football Bowl Subdivision, and his 16-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio ranks as one of the best in the
country.

Derrell Johnson-Koulianos leads Iowa receivers with 497 yards, but Marvin McNutt, who caught Stanzi’s game-winning touchdown pass last year, is right behind him with 26 catches for 423 yards.

MSU, which ranks second in the conference in pass efficiency defense, will benefit if it can force turnovers as it did in wins against U-M and Illinois, when it had three interceptions apiece, but will need its best performance against a good passing attack.
Edge: Iowa

Iowa offensive line vs. MSU front seven

Iowa averages 159.1 rushing yards per game behind running back Adam Robinson, and given the closeness of the Spartans’ recent games against Iowa, line play will be key.

MSU ranks 28th in the country, allowing 119.0 rushing yards per game, despite facing a variety of rushing attacks in Illinois, U-M and Wisconsin, and should be prepared for the Hawkeyes’ attack.

The Spartans forced eight sacks last week against Northwestern and appear to be at their very best.
Edge: MSU

MSU offensive line vs. Iowa front seven

The Hawkeyes’ star-studded defensive line is considered to be one of the best in the country, but is looking to bounce back after so-so performances the past two weeks.

U-M and Wisconsin rushed for 187 and 142 yards, respectively, against Iowa the past two weeks, and MSU needs to follow suit and maintain balance.

After dominating its first six opponents, MSU has fallen off pace the last two weeks in having no more than 105 rushing yards per game the past two weeks.

But the Spartans have had all summer to prepare for a game like this and should bring their best effort.
Edge: Iowa