So much riding on this game

IOWA CITY (AP) - No. 5 Michigan State has come face-to-face with the two most dreaded words left on its 2010 schedule.

At Iowa.

The Spartans are 8-0 for the first time since 1966. A Big Ten title and perhaps more are still possible.

But the Spartans (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten) have their skeptics, and the team that played its first game away from the state of Michigan just last week are underdogs for Saturday's game at No. 18 Iowa (5-2, 2-1). The Hawkeyes saw their outside shot at a run to the national title game dissolve with a crushing 31-30 home loss to No. 9 Wisconsin last week.

"The next step is probably what we thought going into the season, one of our bigger challenges: going on the road to play at Iowa," Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. "When you look at playing in Michigan, when you look at playing at Florida Atlantic, that's a different away game than when you look at playing at Kinnick Stadium."

A year ago, it was an unbeaten Iowa team that visited Michigan State, winning 15-13 on quarterback Ricky Stanzi's 7-yard TD pass to Marvin McNutt as time expired. That was one of four wins by three points or less for the Hawkeyes, who saw its miracle season end at 9-0 after Stanzi hurt his ankle early in a loss to Northwestern.

The breaks haven't gone Iowa's way this season. Picked along with Ohio State as the top contenders for the Big Ten title, the Hawkeyes have lost twice in part because of shoddy special teams play. It burned them against No. 15 Arizona and against the Badgers, who last week surprised Iowa with a fake punt to keep their game-winning drive alive.

THE GAME

No. 5 Michigan St (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten) at No. 18 Iowa (5-2, 2-1), 3:30 p.m. (ABC/ESPN)

Line: Iowa by 6½

Series Record: Iowa leads 21-18-2

Last Meeting: 2009, Iowa 15-13.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

If the Spartans can get past Iowa, the road to a Big Ten title, an unbeaten season and maybe a spot in the national title game opens up considerably. The Hawkeyes need a win to stay alive in the race for a league championship and a possible berth in the Rose Bowl

KEY MATCHUP

Iowa's special teams vs. Michigan State's trick plays. The Hawkeyes have been torched more than once on special teams this season, while the Spartans thrive on throwing the unexpected at their opposition. Iowa can't afford to be surprised against Michigan State.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Michigan St: QB Kirk Cousins. Wisconsin QB Scott Tolzien found plenty of space underneath Iowa's coverage last week and completed 20 of 26 passes. It's tough to beat the Hawkeyes deep, but the short stuff should be there for Cousins if he's patient.

Iowa: DE Adrian Clayborn. The senior star was emotional after last week's 31-30 loss at Wisconsin, when Badgers LT Gabe Carimi had his way with Clayborn for much of the game. Expect Clayborn to bounce back with a strong effort.

FACTS & FIGURES

Iowa beat Michigan State 15-13 in East Lansing last season on Ricky Stanzi's 7-yard TD pass to Marvin McNutt as time expired. ... The Spartans haven't won at Kinnick Stadium since 1989, losing to Iowa 34-27 in double-overtime in 2007. ... The Hawkeyes rank 11th nationally in scoring defense at 15.7 points per game, despite allowing 58 the past two weeks. ... Michigan State S Marcus Hyde will be playing against his brother, Micah, who is a CB for Iowa.