Saturday night time on CBS heats up as No. 7 Penn State and No. 24 Iowa conflict within the first assembly of 2 ranked Big Ten groups this season. Both systems on this cross-division matchup have department identify aspirations, and the winner will most probably to find itself smack dab in the course of the early-season College Football Playoff dialog.
The Nittany Lions are the one crew on Iowa’s 2023 agenda lately ranked, which raises the stakes for the Hawkeyes, who’ve a reasonably open trail to a Big Ten West identify. In a West department with 3 first-year coaches that has observed established systems like Illinois and Minnesota fight early within the season, Iowa seems like the favourite to constitute the department within the Big Ten identify game.
Penn State’s trail to the league identify game is considerably extra treacherous, with a go back and forth to No. 6 Ohio State and a game towards No. 2 Michigan nonetheless looming. If the Nittany Lions are going to wreck via and constitute the Big Ten East for the primary time since 2016, beating the Hawkeyes at house is a should.
The final assembly between those groups was once a vintage top-five showdown in 2021. The homesteading Hawkeyes escaped with a 23-20 victory, and their lovers rushed the sphere in party. Given the power of each defenses, it could be no marvel if this assembly follows a identical dramatic and low-scoring script.
Penn State vs. Iowa: Need to understand
Turnover combat: In a 30-13 win at Illinois final week, Penn State compelled 5 turnovers and didn’t dedicate one. That huge edge in takeaways allowed the Nittany Lions to win slightly with ease, in spite of averaging simply 5.9 yards in line with passing strive and a modest 4.1 yards in line with raise. It was once a web page immediately out of the Iowa playbook because the Hawkeyes are typically famend for his or her skill to compelling turnovers beneath defensive coordinator Phil Parker. It hasn’t been the case this 12 months, even though. Iowa has compelled only a unmarried takeaway in every of its 3 video games. If the Hawkeyes are going to drag a street disappointed, they’re going to nearly definitely want to win the turnover combat.
Iowa banged up: The Hawkeyes’ damage scenario is not doing embattled offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz any favors because the crew works in opposition to a contractually-mandated moderate of 25 issues in line with game. Tight finish Luke Lachey and operating backs Kaleb Johnson and Jaziun Patterson are not anticipated to play, trainer Kirk Ferentz introduced. Their absences will depart quarterback Cade McNamara with even fewer guns than customary. Look for operating again Leshon Williams to tackle a heavy workload amid the wounds.
Allar’s alternative: Penn State sophomore quarterback Drew Allar finished 16 of 33 passes for 208 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions in final week’s Illinois win. It was once an unspectacular efficiency, nevertheless it was once all of the Nittany Lions wanted on account of their turnover benefit. Beating Iowa may require extra downfield playmaking from the previous five-star prospect. Penn State is tied for 112th nationally with simply 9 performs of 20 or extra yards this season, consistent with TruMedia. The Nittany Lions have attached on only one final touch of fifty or extra yards. Hitting explosive performs towards Iowa is a problem for any person, however so is striking in combination lengthy and methodical drives. But if Allar and his receivers can stretch the sphere vertically within the first part, it would lend a hand open up the remainder of Penn State’s offense.
How to watch Penn State vs. Iowa live
Date: Saturday, Sept. 23 | Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Beaver Stadium — University Park, Pennsylvania
TV: CBS | Live movement: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)
Streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime (Try It Free)
Penn State vs. Iowa prediction, choices
Odds by the use of SportsLine consensus
Iowa is banged up offensively with accidents to Luke Lachey and two of its height 3 operating backs, however the Hawkeyes most probably were not going to rack up a ton of issues towards a in point of fact Nittany Lions protection even in top situation. While Penn State scored 30 issues towards a stout Big Ten West protection final week in a victory at Illinois, that general is deceptive since the Nittany Lions loved a 5-0 turnover edge. Nothing about scoring on Iowa will likely be simple, and this will have to be a detailed game. Pick: Iowa +14.5
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