Former Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury in the first quarter of the Hawkeyes’ 26-16 win over MSU a year ago, is 86-for-136 for 794 yards passing with five touchdowns and three interceptions, though he has been sacked eight times already. Running back Kaleb Johnson leads the ground attack with 937 yards on 118 carries and 12 of the Hawkeyes’ 14 rushing touchdowns. Ferentz’s defense remains among the best in the nation after last year’s elite showing offset the offensive issues. Iowa is ranked 29th nationally this season in total defense (316 yards allowed per game) and 24th in points allowed (17.7 per game). Iowa also is boosted by having the fewest penalties and yards penalized a game (2.7 flags and 25.8 yards) as well as a solid punting game (44.6 yards per kick) despite replacing Big Ten first-teamer Tory Taylor (an NFL draft pick) with Rhys Dakin.

Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him @chrissolari. Read more on the Michigan State Spartans and sign up for our Spartans newsletter.