Preview - Spartans 2009 Game 8: Iowa

SpartyMSU is starting our Early look at each Spartan Game...
and how the Spartans will March to 12 - 1 in 2009

IOWA
Oct. 24, Noon EST : in East Lansing (Homecoming Game)

The Spartans are expected to have a challenging season so far…. Sure, SpartyMSU predicts all wins, but no victory comes easy.. And now comes Iowa..

Waterloo… This is the Game that is probably the most difficult test so far. This will not be the Spartans Waterloo.  A tight squeeze, tough sledding, hard cheese, but no Waterloo…



The two teams are closely matched. Like last year's defensive duel. 
In 2008, the Spartans won 16 – 13.
MSU Passing: 184 yrds, Iowa: 158 yrds
MSU Rushing: 24 – 91yrds, Iowa: 39-151yrds
MSU total Offense: 275, Iowa: 309
MSU Fumbles: 1, Iowa: 2
Sacks: MSU got to Stanzi 3 times, Iowa to Hoyer 1.
Third Down Conv. MSU 4/12, Iowa 4/ 13
Interceptions: MSU 1, Iowa 1
The Big Ten’s two best backs were held down.
    Shonn Greene (Iowa)157 yrds on 30 carries, zero TDs
    Javon Ringer (Spartans)had 91 yrds on 25 carries, zero TDs

Both  Javon and Shonn have graduated and departed for the NFL, and both teams are looking at others to carry the rushing loads.  

Good thing this game is in East Lansing.. need as many advantages as we can get…. Factoid: The home team has won each game in this series since 1995, hope it holds out…

Both the Spartans and Hawkeyes have 3 returning “O” linemen, and 3 returning “D” linemen each.

Iowa’s O Line returns LT Baluga and RT Calloway (but might be suspended due to a recent OWI), and LG Vandervelde (He just was injured).  Filling in for the open RG spot is probably Richardson and C is Rafael Eubanks.

With recent injuries and the OWI for Calloway, changes might be made up front.  Vandervelde may be out, duration is unknown. So, possibly LG is Dan Doering or Andy Kuempel stepping in.  For “Prison Bars” Calloway: possibly RT Markus Zusevics… Its all up in the air…



Just to punctuate the point, there is always excitement in Iowa City:  Freshman O Lineman Riley Reiff was arrested in Iowa City, ….. “will pay a hefty fine after stripping in an alley, then leading police on a drunken foot chase through downtown Iowa…” http://www.ksfy.com/sports/headlines/25666544.html

Suffice it to say,  Iowa started the Spring hoping to have 3 returning starters on the O Line, and now only thing fur-sure, is LT Baluga is back. Could be a problem to try to get a running game going.

QB: Bright spot for Iowa. Ricky Stanzi 
Passing  Com.    At.     Pct.     Yds.     TD     Int.  Lng
2008     150     254     .591    1,956     14     9     59



Ricky will be a meaningful advantage for the Hawkeyes this year. But, if there is confusion and a lack of consistency on the “O” line, as it looks now, he’s going to have trouble. Last year against the Spartans Ricky was 15-22-1 for 158 yrds passing.  Given time, Ricky will get the ball down field. He will be a good QB for Iowa, only time will tell how much the “O” insecurity will affect him.

Iowa’s leading back departs. Sophomore,  Jewel Hampton (5’9” – 210) is replacing Shonn Greene, but has suffered a knee injury during practice on July 3. His status is unknown. Possibly ACL, Hammy, unknown injury.

Shonn Greene made up 77% and  Hampton 5% of Iowa's rushing total last year.  If Hampton is hurt and can't play, they are without 96% of the Running attack from 2008.  And with a “O’ line is disarray, I foresee problems getting points on the board.

Whos Ricky going to throw to ? Like the Spartans they have a seasoned receiving corps.  Darrel Johnson-Koulianos  who is the leading retuning receiver (44catches for 639 ), Trey Stross (13 catches for 109),  and Marvin McNutt (1 – 11 yrds),  Tony Moeaki (13 catches for 144).  All good receivers.

Iowa “D”:  Like the Spartans, they lose 2 on the line.   They lost both DT positions to graduation, Spartans lost Right side.  Both teams back fill with existing players. 

Holes created in the line this year where by the departing DT Kroul (57 tackles, 6 sacks in 2008)  and DT King( 54 tackles, 4 sacks). Iowa returns DE Clayborn (50 tackles, 2 sacks)and DE Ballard (40 tackles, 1 sack). To fill the open spots, . Karl Klug (17 tackles, 2sacks)  and Mike Daniels (6 tackles, 1 sack).



LB: Iowa returns everyone, returning is the second team All Big Ten LB Pat Angerer (107 tackles), with him is Jeremiha Hunter (80 tackles) and A.J. Edds (59 tackles).

Note:   the 2009  Pre-season Big Ten Defensive POY, and 2008 First team All Big Ten  returns for the Spartans in Greg Jones. All returning Spartan backers have starting experience.

Secondary: Iowa and Spartans are deep.  Iowa returns: Greenwood (2 ints), Sash (5 ints) and Spievey (4 ints). These guys are playmakers.



Napoleon Bonaparte:  “Never interrupt your enemy while he's making a mistake. That's bad manners.”

That’s what the Spartans will do again this year, take advantage of the mistakes given them by Iowa. With 2 closely matched teams, you have to strike when the other blinks. I expect another defensive duel again for 2009.

Good thing this game is in East Lansing (2 years in a row).. Home field will be a help…

Prediction: Spartans are now 8-0 after a OT win….
MSU      24
Iowa     21

Sparty On !!