The Iowa Hawkeyes get set to open Big Ten play this weekend when they visit14th ranked Michigan State. The Hawkeyes are coming off a bye week and coachKirk Ferentz says the time off was good for the team.Iowa’s ground game has struggled and will have a tough matchup against atMichigan State defense that has stopped the run.Ferentz says the health has improved, particularly offensive lineman ChadDeal, who is expected to play for the first time on Saturday.Ferentz rotated a number of offensive lineman against Northern Illinois andsays they will continue to search for the best combination.Michigan State coach Nick Saban says Iowa showed progress in the victoryover Northern Illinois.Saban says the Spartans cannot afford to turn it over four times like theydid at Illinois.There are plenty of connections between the coaching staffs. Kirk Ferentzworked with Saban on the staff of the Cleveland Browns and Iowa defensiveco-ordinator Norm Parker was on the Spartan staff with Saban during the80’s.
