LSJ Blogs: Hey, Joe

37-6

It really comes down to turnovers. Three provided to Iowa, all Kirk Cousins picks, one brought all the way back, another leading to an Iowa touchdown. None created. Everything else followed from that.

Not looking good for Martin

Keshawn Martin is dressed for MSU, but I did not see him so much as break into a jog in pre-game warmups. His right foot is taped heavily and at this point he looks like an "emergency duty" guy at best today. UPDATE: John Lewandowski confirms, emergency only.

Gameday: Iowa

For Kirk Cousins, today is a homecoming of sorts and another chance to prove some people wrong, although those opportunities are lessening as he continues to play well and earn attention.

Bucking convention: MSU signs football deal with Boise State

Chris Solari here again with another update -- gee, it's been a busy, newsy fall -- as Joe Rexrode plods his way toward Iowa City.

Michigan State's football team will host national power Boise State to open the 2012 season at Spartan Stadium.

MSU athletic director Mark Hollis revealed the three-game contract with the perennial BCS buster Broncos via Twitter today, and the Aug. 31 night game will be televised by ESPN.

The deal calls for the Spartans to travel to Boise, Idaho, in 2022 and for Boise State to return to East Lansing in 2023.

The Broncos are ranked No. 2 in both the Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN Coaches polls this week.

MSU's 2012 home schedule also will include Notre Dame, Eastern Michigan, Ohio State, Iowa, Nebraska and Northwestern.

Rucker will travel to Iowa

Chris Solari here - Joe Rexrode's on his drive to Iowa City, and MSU associate athletic director John Lewandowski confirmed to him that Chris L. Rucker will make the trip to Iowa with the team. Lewandowski did not say if or how much Rucker will play.

Let's freakin' talk Iowa, eh?

Is it OK to talk about the football game yet? Ryan Suchomel, sports editor of the Iowa City Press-Citizen, was kind enough to answer some questions:

What the world needs now...

...is more opinions on Chris L. Rucker. I don't think there are nearly enough out here.

Dantonio statements on Rucker

Here's the whole thing from Mark Dantonio, released by MSU associate AD John Lewandowski and including a reminder that Dantonio is letting Rucker decide whether he'll travel with the team to Iowa:

Rucker reinstated

Chris L. Rucker has been reinstated to the team, per Denny Schwarze from an impromptu Mark Dantonio news conference tonight.

Media like MSU, Lucas again

MSU was picked to win the Big Ten by conference media, the league announced today, and Kalin Lucas is preseason player of the year -- a bit of a surprise considering the injury he's trying to overcome.