For MSU (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten), Iowa (4-2, 3-1) will be another difficult takedown after facing Boston College, Ohio State and Oregon in order. In Iowa's four wins this season, it's outscored opponents 149-51 and efficiently taken down two Big Ten opponents in Minnesota and Washington. 

Iowa’s two losses came to top teams, the result of poor second-half play against No. 4 Ohio State and walk-off field goal by No. 9 Iowa State.

The Spartans come off a bye week with their toughest tests in the rearview mirror. But what looms ahead is the bulk of a testing Big Ten schedule, one that will feature three straight ranked opponents and solid competitors all the way through.

MSU's road to the finish line in head coach Jonathan Smith's first year begins with Iowa under head coach Kirk Ferentz, who's built the hard-nosed Hawkeye football team known today. Since 1999, Ferentz has won 200 games. The Big Ten record is 205. In that span, Iowa and Michigan State have competed in many back-and-forth, memorable battles. Ferentz and Iowa have the slight edge (9-8).

Last season, a depleted MSU program had Iowa on the ropes late until a surrendered punt return touchdown cost the Spartans an upset on the road, 26-16. 

"We're heading into a big time challenge coming on Saturday," Smith said Monday. "I think it looks like an Iowa team who plays a physical brand of football. Running the thing, high end defense, special teams, all of which are elite."

Coming off three straight losses and a needed bye week, MSU can either flip the script Saturday or drop its fourth in a row. The Spartans are at a crossroads.

A physical Iowa offense

Iowa's physical brand of football established over decades starts in the trenches.

Up front, senior offensive linemen Connor Colby and Logan Jones pave the way for the Hawkeyes' front five. The preseason All-Big Ten selections and company stand as the reason for recent success running the football and orchestrating the offense as a whole. 

With its tone-setters up front, Iowa is ranked 13th nationally in rushing. Junior running back Kaleb Johnson has led every category in that department with 118 rushes for 937 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Spartan defensive line has struggled recently and faces another major test Saturday. Pursuit and penetration are paramount for an MSU defensive victory.

"It's going to start up front. We know it's going to be physical," sixth-year defensive lineman Khris Bogle said after practice Wednesday. "Everything is going to start up within the trenches."

Trouble's with Iowa's offensive staff were spotlighted in recent years. This past offseason, Kirk Ferentz fired his son, former offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz and brought on former Western Michigan head coach Tim Lester to manage the offense. Last season, the Hawkeyes were the nation's worst in total offense and 130th in points per game.

Six games into the 2024 season, Iowa ranks 94th in total offense and 64th in points per game.

While Iowa's running game has been one of the best in the nation, its passing offense has weighed the Hawkeyes down, ranked 127th nationally. Senior quarterback Cade McNamara — who started for the entirety of University of Michigan's 12-2 season in 2021 — has gone 86-for-136 for 794 yards for five touchdowns and three interceptions. 

In 2021, McNamara and the Wolverines visited Spartan Stadium for a top ten matchup. MSU running back Kenneth Walker III ran for five touchdowns as the Spartans won 37-33. Last season at Iowa, McNamara tore his ACL against MSU. He went 21-for-49 for 429 yards and two touchdowns between the two games.

Iowa defense

The Hawkeyes have curated one of the best defenses in the nation over the past four years.

Iowa currently sits at 28th in the nation in total defense, 24th in points allowed and 17th in rushing defense. Its held opponents to 17.7 points per game. MSU tight ends coach Brian Wozniak said the Hawkeyes do a nice job of playing in zone, where they typically snag interceptions.

"They’re super disciplined in what they do," Wozniak said. "They’ve been doing it forever."

Even averaging under 20 points per game in their wins last year, the Hawkeyes still went 10-4. Linebacker Jay Higgins and defensive back Jermari Harris headline their defensive unit in 2024. Higgins has averaged 10 tackles per game, 62 total. He's also grabbed two picks through six weeks. Harris has totaled a team-high three interceptions, one of which he took back 28 yards for a touchdown.

Iowa's defense poses a substantial challenge for an MSU offense so far prone to turnovers and mental mistakes. Consistent execution and not ditching points on the board is crucial if the Spartans want to rebound.

"As a unit, there’s been opportunities that we’ve had not only to put the ball in the end zone, but extend drives," Wozniak said.

The Spartans and Hawkeyes will square off on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Spartan Stadium. The game will be streamed exclusively on Peacock.