ESPN College GameDay 2015: TV Schedule and Predictions for Week 14 Location
College football is a sport of chaos, but the formula doesn’t get any simpler for Michigan State and Iowa than what the two teams face Saturday.
Win and you’re in.
The Spartans and Hawkeyes will square off in Indianapolis for the Big Ten championship, and the winner will take home the league crown and one of the four coveted spots in the College Football Playoff. With so much at stake, it is only natural ESPN’s traveling pregame show, College GameDay, will be there to set the stage.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
It shared its decision on Twitter:
Here is a look at the broadcast information for the pregame show as well as a preview and prediction for the pressure-packed showdown.
ESPN College GameDay: Week 14 Info
Date: Saturday, Dec. 5
Time (ET): 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Watch: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Preview and Prediction
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Michigan State and Iowa should both be fairly flattered Saturday.
The Spartans and Hawkeyes are physical football teams that pride themselves on their defense and ability to win the line of scrimmage. Iowa’s defense is 15th in the nation in points allowed per game, 63rd in passing yards allowed per game and sixth in rushing yards allowed per game, while Michigan State’s is 22nd, 75th and 16th, respectively.
Iowa offensive lineman Austin Blythe commented on the similarities, per the Associated Press (via Fox Sports): "We're two programs that like to play physical football. They're going to play the full 60, and they'll take it into overtime if they have to. Just two really good programs that respect each other and understand what they bring to the table and understand that it's going to be a 60-minute fight."
The defenses nearly mirror each other, at least statistically. Both are more vulnerable against the pass than the run but still stingy in the scoring department. Saturday’s outcome will likely be up to which quarterback makes more plays against secondaries that can be beat.
Michigan State’s Connor Cook is in his third year starting and is well on his way to the NFL. He has 2,730 passing yards and 24 touchdowns this year and appears to be healthy again after missing the Ohio State game with an injury. ESPN’s Chris Fowler suggested as much:
Cook is an NFL talent, but he has something in his corner that will help him tremendously in this pressure-packed game—big-moment experience.
He beat an undefeated Ohio State team in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in the Big Ten Championship Game in 2013 and then parlayed that momentum into a Rose Bowl victory over Stanford. He led Michigan State to a Cotton Bowl win in a shootout against Baylor last season to cap off a campaign where he only lost to the Buckeyes and Oregon Ducks (who happened to meet in the national title game).
Cook’s big-game experience can be applied to the entire Michigan State team this season considering it has wins over Ohio State, Michigan and Oregon, who are all in the Top 20 of the selection committee’s playoff poll.
While Iowa doesn’t have those caliber victories to fall back on, it did win on the road against Northwestern and Wisconsin. Quarterback C.J. Beathard (2,354 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and three interceptions) will have to keep up with Cook if the Hawkeyes plan on adding Michigan State to that list.
The quarterbacks will prove to be the difference in this one, although both teams have talented rushing attacks. Iowa relies on Jordan Canzeri (964 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground), while Michigan State counters with the combination of L.J. Scott (618 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground) and Gerald Holmes (521 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground).
The problem from Iowa’s perspective is Michigan State’s dominant defensive line, led by Shilique Calhoun and Malik McDowell. The Spartans shut down Ohio State’s potent attack of Ezekiel Elliott and J.T. Barrett by dominating up front, and they will do just that against Iowa.
Calhoun, McDowell and company will prevent Canzeri from gaining large chunks of yardage, which will force Iowa to throw the ball. Michigan State’s playmakers will then pin their ears back, pressure Beathard throughout the second half and frustrate the Hawkeyes signal-caller.
Cook and star wide receiver Aaron Burbridge (1,158 receiving yards and seven touchdowns this year) will make enough plays on the other end against an Iowa secondary that is vulnerable against a talented passing attack. The Spartans narrowly missed out on the playoffs last year, but they will get their chance this season with an impressive performance in the Big Ten title game.
Prediction: Michigan State 31, Iowa 24
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
