Iowa-Michigan State: Keys to Victory for the Hawkeyes

When Rick Stanzi and the Iowa Hawkeyes travel to East Lansing, MI on Saturday afternoon, they will try and accomplish something that has not been done in school history—win the first eight games of the season.

The sixth-ranked (BCS) Hawkeyes are one of the nation's hottest teams, having won their last 11 contests dating back to last season, which trails only Florida's active streak of 16 consecutive wins.

How have the Hawkeyes been able to get off to such a fast start this year?  The biggest reason is that they are plus-11 in the turnover margin, giving their offense ample opportunities to win games.

Still, the Hawkeyes have been inconsistent offensively this season, and that will need to change when they take on a Michigan State squad that is averaging nearly 30 points a game in 2009.

For the most part, it seems like Iowa has done a good job of taking this season one game at a time, and as cliche as it sounds, it is really critical for a college football team.

Iowa has had close encounters with teams like Arkansas State and Northern Iowa, much too close for comfort. 

Can the Hawkeyes continue their impressive run this season and stay undefeated against a blood-thirsty Michigan State team?  Here are my keys to victory for the team.

1.  Get Out to an Early Lead

Michigan State has a great fan base, and there is really no question about it.  Iowa needs to shut them up by getting out to an early lead, and they certainly have the offensive firepower to do it.

It seems that the Hawkeye offense is, at times, content to simply take a minute or two off of the clock early in the game rather than take risks.  With their offensive talent, my question is, "WHY?!"

Iowa's quarterback, Ricky Stanzi, throws one of the prettiest, most accurate deep balls in the country.  The weapons he currently has at his disposal are greater than they have been at Iowa since I can remember.  Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, Trey Stross, Marvin McNutt, Tony Moeaki, Allen Reisner, Keenan Davis, and Paul Chaney Jr. have all been excellent targets for the junior quarterback this year.

The only question is Stanzi's decision-making.  Sometimes he makes throws that force Iowa fans to wonder how the kid is on scholarship, and then he comes right back with a pretty deep ball.

It is going to be critical for Iowa to get out to an early lead so as to take the Spartan faithful out of the game early and take away home-field advantage.

2.  Can Someone Block for Wegher and Robinson, Please?

After last week's game against Wisconsin, it became apparent to me:  Iowa is having trouble running the ball, and it's not because of a lack of Greene or Hampton.  It is simply because the guys up front are struggling with their run blocking.

Put simply, Iowa's front five are getting man-handled up front in the running game, which is why the passing game has been so effective the past few games.

Iowa's offensive line needs to start blocking for the run better, or this Hawkeye offense is going to become extremely stagnant.  This scheme is built around running the ball effectively and winning a chess match with the other team. 

Bryan Bulaga needs to get his unit in gear this week, and get these kids blocking for the stellar freshman running duo that is Brandon Wegher and Adam Robinson, who have combined for 811 yards and eight touchdowns in seven games. 

3.  Tony Moeaki

Tony Moeaki is going to be a huge factor in this game.  Kirk Ferentz called him "the best tight end" he has ever coached, and that list includes star NFL tight end Dallas Clark. 

Moeaki has missed a lot of time in his Iowa career because of injury, but he appears to be on his way into becoming a high NFL draft pick.

What does this have to do with the Michigan State game?

Moeaki can stretch the seam and is a huge size mismatch for safeties, but linebackers are normally not fast enough to cover him.  He has become one of Stanzi's favorite targets this season, and rightfully so. 

He leads this team with 20 receptions, four of which have gone for touchdowns, which is also a team-high. 

Moeaki could have a big game on Saturday night.

Final Thoughts

Iowa's defense needs to continue to play well for the Hawkeyes to win this game, but for this team to start 8-0 for the first time in school history, they are going to have to perform offensively in a convincing way.

Michigan State is no slouch despite their 4-3 record, and Iowa will have their hands full.  Many would think playing on the road, this would be a trap game for the Hawkeyes, but I don't buy it. 

Iowa's roster is simply more talented than Michigan State overall, and the Hawkeyes should be able to come away with a huge road win under the lights in East Lansing.