Campus Clash
(18) Iowa Hawkeyes at (17) Penn State Nittany Lions
Iowa: The Big Ten West was gift-wrapped with a big red bow on top of it for the Wisconsin Badgers and they’re not a bad team this year, but they definitely haven’t been as strong as they were last season. Well, there are other teams in the division and the Iowa Hawkeyes have quietly attacked, won football games and gone about their business. They have a record of 6-1 and they have a legit shot to still win this division and get to the Big Ten Title game in December in Indianapolis. This is a good football team and let’s not forget that they were the kings of this division just a few seasons back in 2015. What makes them flow as a team is their quarterback and he’s the best quarterback in the Big Ten and he goes by the name of Nate Stanley. He’s a pure passer and he has absolutely no issue firing the football down the field and placing it only to where his receiver can get it. He’s also mobile and can make the throw on the run. He’s a special player to watch and he really makes it look effortless. They also run the football averaging over 164 yards on the ground per game and they play defense and have one of the best units in the Big Ten. What I like about them is that they just go about their business and they aren’t a flashy football team. They’re a downhill group that likes to push the ball down the field and they show they don’t need to run trick plays. This is a big road game for them on Saturday traveling to Happy Valley to face a Penn State team that’s looking for every win they can get to remain alive.
Penn State: It hasn’t been the best year for them, but they have a 5-2 record and their chances of making the playoffs are extremely slim because, in order to be a playoff team, you need to either be undefeated or have one loss at the most. They lost back to back games in heartbreaking fashions. The first was against the Ohio State Buckeyes and that was a showdown where they were up in front and dominated the first half, but fell short and lost that game by a point, 27-26. The game after that, they faced Mark Dantonio and the Michigan State Spartans and seemed to be in control once again in the first half. Once the second half came around, their offense disappeared and they lost another close game. They bounced back nicely after the bye week and got a nice win on the road against an Indiana Hoosiers team that’s known to play teams tough. Just when I think this team is ready for the big moment, they turn around and show me that they’re not and I still think they’re a few more years away from people truly taking James Franklin and the Nittany Lions serious. They’re almost there, but not quite. With Saquon Barkley gone, Trace McSorley has really had to step it up and this team truly goes as far he takes them. Miles Saunders knew he had big shoes to fill at running back, but he’s simply been him and that’s all that’s important. The defense isn’t as strong as they were last season and that’s what’s hurting them. Their next three games are far from easy. Iowa on Saturday, Michigan the following week at the big house and Wisconsin in Madison on the road in two weeks.
Iowa Player To Watch: Toren Young– Iowa likes to balance things out and the stats have shown it. He’s a hard runner that can power himself over a defender to get himself into the second tier of the defense. Penn State also struggles to shut down the running game so I’d exploit that weakness of theirs.
Penn State Player To Watch: KJ Hamler– He’s their most dynamic playmaker on the field and he’s also the quickest. He’s a guy that can take a simple pass over the middle of the field and go the distance for the score.
Final Analysis: This is a big game for both teams in the Big Ten. With a win, Iowa can further establish themselves as a true threat in the Big Ten West and Penn State is looking to stay relevant in the Big Ten East. It’s key for the Nittany Lions to get a pass rush on Stanley. He can get into a rhythm and won’t ever let his foot off the gas. Iowa can’t let their guards down. When they played last year, that’s exactly what they did and it hurt them.
Prediction: Iowa 31 Penn State 24
