Early view of Spartan Stadium.

Michigan State quarterback Andrew Maxwell expects a physical game with Iowa, just like every time the Legends Division teams play one another.

“Physical football is physical football and that’s what you’re going to get with Iowa,” he said.

Maxwell, a junior, replaced three-year starter and capatain Kirk Cousins and the results are mixed. Maxwell has completed 56.4 percent of his passes for 1,428 yards. He has thrown for six touchdowns and three interceptions. The Spartans (4-2, 1-1 Big Ten) struggled offensively in losses to Ohio State (17-16) and Notre Dame (20-3) this year.

Michigan State quarterback Andrew Maxwell (10) looks to throw as Dan France, left, and Skyler Burkland (70) block during the first quarter against Ohio State, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, in East Lansing, Mich. Ohio State won 17-16. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

“All of our goals are still ahead of us,” Maxwell said. “It’s no secret that every team in this conference has a goal of playing in the Big Ten Championship Game and going to the Rose Bowl. That’s Iowa’s goal, that’s our goal. The good news is for everybody in the conference is that goal has not been ruled out yet. If we can approach every game one at a time and approach it with toughness and tenacity and bring our best that week, then I think we’ll have a recipe for success.

“I think the most important thing you can do is keep fighting. It starts with belief and it starts with having a goal in mind and not wavering from that when things get tough.

“That’s been the challenge for myself and that’s been the challenge for this team. Obviously when you drop two of your first five games, and your goal is a Rose Bowl, it can be easy to kind of waver, kind of second-guess yourself. But you can’t do that if you want to be successful and go to the places that you want to go.”