Sliding Michigan State renews acquaintances with Iowa

Iowa and Michigan State haven't met in back-to-back seasons since 2012 and 2013, but that will change Saturday night when the teams face off in East Lansing, Mich.

For the host Spartans (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten), it will be another stiff test in what has been a brutal portion of their schedule.

After starting the year with three consecutive wins, Michigan State has lost on the road to Boston College, at home to Ohio State, and at Oregon.

The Spartans had a bye last week, which was needed to regroup for what will continue to be a challenging part of their schedule.

"I think it looks like an Iowa team that plays a physical brand of football," Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith said. "You know, running the (ball), high-end defense, special teams is elite. They can beat you in the pass game offensively a little bit on what they've shown this first half of the season. We've got a big-time challenge coming for homecoming weekend."

Michigan State has lived and died by first-year starting quarterback Aidan Chiles, who has made some nice throws in accumulating 1,212 passing yards and five touchdowns. But he's also made some brutal decisions that have resulted in eight interceptions.

The Spartans hope the good Chiles shows up against an Iowa team that has found some life offensively.

Behind running back Kaleb Johnson's 937 rushing yards and the play of quarterback Cade McNamara, Iowa (4-2, 2-1) has scored 30 points or more in four games this year -- including a 40-16 win over Washington last week.

Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz said Michigan State is a "tough" team to judge.

"You look at their record; there's a lot of teams 4-2, 3-3, 2-4 in the Big Ten," Ferentz said. "You consider they played arguably two of the best teams, if not the best teams, not only in the conference, but in the country, their last two times out. It's going to be a big challenge for us."

Iowa, which has won the last two meetings with Michigan State, will make its first trip to East Lansing since 2017.

--Field Level Media