Michigan State opens its conference slate tomorrow afternoon when it meets a surging Iowa squad at Kinnick Stadium. Saturday's clash between the two Big Ten rivals is scheduled to kick off at 12:00pm ET on ESPN2. The latest NCAA Football Odds from offshore bookmaker 5Dimes have the hosting Hawkeyes listed as a +1 against the spread underdog and the game total set at 38 points.
Kirk Ferentz mojo appeared to be fading rapidly in Iowa City with the Hawkeyes having dropped 13 of their last 19 games (includes 2011 Insight Bowl loss to Oklahoma) entering the 2013 season, but it turns out the long tenured head coach may still have a little magic left after all.
It is still early, but Iowa has been a nice surprise thus far, jumping out to a 4-1 start with wins over Missouri State, Iowa State, Western Michigan, and Minnesota.
The Hawkeyes have been especially impressive in their last two outings, pounding the Broncos 59-3 before handing the previously undefeated Gophers a 23-7 loss in Minneapolis.
Ferentz' troops would really start to turn heads should they find a way to get past Michigan State tomorrow afternoon.
The Spartans are no juggernaut thanks to an offense that struggles to move the ball against any team without a direction in front of its name or a state behind it. Michigan State's defense is one of the best in the nation's, limiting its opposition to an average of 13.3 points and 13.3 points per game.
Suffice it to say Michigan State is the most difficult opponent Iowa has faced to date, but the Hawkeyes look increasingly ready for the challenge.
When these two teams met last year Iowa scored a surprising 19-16 double overtime win in East Lansing. The victory marked the Hawkeyes third in their last four meetings with Michigan State and it represented its eighth cover in its last 10 battles with its Legends Division rival.
NCAA Football Odds Michigan State vs Iowa Odds:
Michigan State Spartans -1 (-110), Over 38 (-110), -120 (Moneyline)
Iowa Hawkeyes +1 (-110), Under 38 (-110), +100 (Moneyline)
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