No. 13 Michigan State (7-2, 4-1) leads the division by a game over Nebraska, Michigan and Iowa. That’s due to Nebraska being upset last week by Northwestern and the Hawkeyes beating Michigan. MSU took care of business last week as well, but in a much tougher 31-24 game against Minnesota than was expected.

Minnesota scored two first-quarter touchdowns against Michigan State after scoring two TDs in the first quarter all season. Minnesota averages 18 points a game (112th nationally), but it scored the 14 points against the then-eighth-ranked scoring defense in the FBS and actually outgained MSU and held the ball for nearly 10 more minutes. Spartans QB Kirk Cousins threw for 296 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
 
Ironically, the only reason Iowa (6-3, 3-2) isn’t tied with MSU atop the division is because it was upset by those Gophers the week prior to last. But the Hawkeyes improved to 6-0 at home last week with their 24-16 win over Michigan. RB Marcus Coker led the way with 132 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries. UM had four chances from the Iowa 3-yard-line in the final seconds to potentially tie it but was rebuffed.

MSU would love to get some revenge in this one. Last year at Iowa, the Spartans entered unbeaten and at No. 5 in the nation and were pummeled 37-6 in a loss that cost MSU the Big Ten title alone and a Rose Bowl spot. Cousins struggled in that one, throwing for only 198 yards and three picks. The Spartans have lost seven-straight games in Iowa City, with MSU’s last win in Kinnick Stadium coming on Oct. 7, 1989, 17-14. In fact, Sparty hasn’t covered in any of the past five meetings anywhere.

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