Hawkeyes vs. Spartans

When Iowa has the ball

Linebacker Greg Jones leads the Big Ten in linebacker for the second consecutive season. He's fifth in the Big Ten with 8.6 tackles a game, down from the astounding 12.1 he had going at the time the Spartans played Iowa last season. Still, the 6-foot-1, 240-pounder leads the Spartans in tackles (69) and is second in tackles for loss (5.0).

He's being promoted heavily by MSU for postseason awards with his own website (GregJones53.com). A midseason All-American on SI.com, Jones also leads the Spartans in something called “production points,” which are awarded for being a general defensive pain in the neck. He's tough, physical, active, everything you'd want in a linebacker.

But he's not doing it all by himself. The Spartans secondary might be the most improved unit in the Big Ten.

The Spartans' defense has a lot, but it might not have star cornerback Chris L. Rucker, who was released Thursday after serving eight days in county jail. He is expected to make the trip, however.

Iowa's offense remains it's strength, and quarterback Ricky Stanzi is the scaffolding.

The senior is No. 2 in the nation in pass efficiency with a 174.88 rating. Running back Adam Robinson continues to brush off doubters. Yes, he's only 5-9, 200 pounds, but he was the premier running back in last week's game against Wisconsin, gaining 114 yards and scoring a TD. His durability remains something to marvel at and intact. He is No. 2 in the Big Ten with 152 carries. That's 58.2 percent of Iowa's rushes this season, the sixth highest percentage in FBS.

Iowa's O-line had a strong performance against Wisconsin. The Badgers' front seven isn't Michigan State's. The Spartans have more quality personnel around Jones than the Badgers had around DE J.J. Watt.

Advantage: Even

When Michigan State

has the ball

Michigan State's offense was just sort of finding itself last season.

Junior Kirk Cousins wasn't really the clear No. 1 quarterback. This year, Cousins is the man, something he punctuated with last week's Big Ten offensive player of the week performance against Northwestern. No he's throwing to former QB Keith Nichol, who's carved out a nice role for himself as a wide receiver.

The trio of Keshawn Martin, B.J. Cunningham and Mark Dell have combined for 88 receptions, 1,380 yards and 10 touchdowns. They are veteran and they are dangerous, especially Martin, who leads the Big Ten with 15.0 yard a punt return.

Just as MSU QB has found an identity, the Spartan's running game knows exactly what it is this season.

The Spartans can run the ball with authority, which makes their offense balanced and dangerous. They Spartans average 193.5 yards a game. It's impressive.

Sophomore Edwin Baker, the No. 1 tailback, has made the improvement you'd expect to see from freshman to sophomore. He averages a nutty 6.8 yards on 115 carries.

Iowa's defense is in kind of a last stand mode. They won't admit it, but the last two weeks say something isn't working for a defense that had a lot of all-something slapped on it during the national list portion of the season.

Iowa has allowed 59 points the last two weeks (28 against Michigan and a losing 31 vs. Wisconsin). That's the worst two-game stretch for the Hawkeyes since 50 between Arkansas State and Michigan last season.

This is a last stand for Iowa's championship hopes in the Big Ten. It's the last stand for Iowa's defense to be a positive force in a championship drive.

Advantage: Even

Special teams

Iowa's special teams are abysmal. The coup de grace was the fake punt Wisconsin pulled last week.

Ferentz said this week he wished they called a “punt safe,” but, also, two players were assigned to watch the punter and make sure the ball went off his foot. That did not happen.

Michigan State's special teams is basically the cast of “Jackass.” The Spartans will do anything at anytime. Whatever it takes for the thrill.

Advantage: Michigan State

The scoreboard

Iowa is Michigan State's whole season. The Spartans beat Iowa, they've got dog's lunch Minnesota in East Lansing, idle week, not-for-real Purdue at East Lansing and then travel to faux rival Penn State, where the Spartans and Lions face off for the Land Grant Trophy.

You could make a clearheaded argument that Michigan State is playing for a shot at the national championship today.

The ball is in the Hawkeyes' court. Up to them.

Michigan State 28, Iowa 24

- Marc Morehouse