Game No. 2 of the Big Ten season and Iowa faces another offering from the East division, hosting the Michigan State Spartans.
It feels harsh to label a 5-7 team a complete disaster, but many (including myself) figured the Spartans to once again be a real player in the East. The 2021 season looked like the return of Michigan State football with the Spartans going 11-2, including a close win over their arch-rivals in Michigan.
Coach Mel Tucker was named the 2021 Big Ten Coach of the Year and was rewarded as such. Michigan State firmly backed Tucker, giving him a guaranteed 10-year, $95 million contract, one of the largest contracts for a coach in college football history.
Now, Tucker faces some massive questions heading into the 2023 season. The Spartans failed to meet expectations on the field, going 5-7 and were slammed by outgoing transfers during the offseason.
As expected, there has been a lot of criticism already around Mel Tucker. When you receive that large of a contract, there will constantly be a microscope focused on you. This will be a huge year for Tucker and the Spartans. They have to right the ship quickly, especially with the Big Ten adding some new blood in the coming season.
Here is a look at Iowa’s Week 5 opponent, Michigan State.
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