PREMIUM
Rogers' *10* Big 10 TOP TICKET >> 5-0 Last Saturday!
(NCAAF) Iowa vs. Penn State,
11/05/2016 3:30 PM, Score: 14 - 41
Point Spread: -7.00 | -110.00 Penn State (Home)
Result: Win
Point Spread: -7.00 | -110.00 Penn State (Home)
Result: Win
The set-up: James Franklin has led the Nittany Lions to bowl games in each of his first two seasons at Penn State but each season the team finished just 7-6. This year's team has won four in a row entering this contest, including a "signature" 24-21 upset of Ohio State. Penn State is 6-2, 4-1 in the Big Ten East, trailing 8-0 (5-0) Michigan and tied with 7-1 (4-1) Ohio State. Penn St is No. 12 in the first CFP rankings of the season, as the Nittany Lions get set to host Iowa, which is 5-3, including 3-2 in the Big Ten West. Iowa was the favorite to win the Big Ten West Division before the season but the Hawkeyes trail Nebraska and Wisconsin by one game in the standings.
Iowa: Senior C.J. Beathard has thrown for 1,380 yards with 11 TDs and four interceptions but the QB's numbers are down across the board from last season when the Hawkeyes opened the season with 11 straight wins. Iowa's running game averages 167.9 YPG with two solid RBs, Akrum Wadley (636 yards on 7.1 YPC and 8 TDs) and LeShun Daniels Jr. (624 yards on 5.2 YPC and 6 TDs). Penn State's rush D allows 183.4 YPG to rank 81st, so it can be exploited. Iowa's defense is always solid under Kirk Ferentz and this year is no different, allowing 18.9 PPG (16th).
Penn State: The Nittany Lions come in off a 62-24 blowout of Purdue, which enabled coach James Franklin to empty his bench early in the fourth quarter for the first time in recent memory. RB Saquon Barkley had 207 rushing yards and added 70 more receiving yards. He leads the team with 888 yards on 6.0 YPC with 10 TDs. QB Trace McSorley threw three TD passes in the win, giving him a 12-3 ratio on the season but he's completing just 55.2% of his passes. Under Joe Pa, one could always count on the Penn State defense but this year's unit is nothing special, allowing 27.0 PPG (62nd) on 380.4 YPG (46th).
The pick: This year's Hawkeyes are not that far away from being undefeated, as they've had their chances to win in all three defeats, falling by two, seven and eight points. Iowa is far from an offensive juggernaut but the Hawkeyes have scored points on 26-of-28 trips to the red zone, including 20 TDs and six FGs. That 92.9-percent success rate is second in the Big Ten and No. 12 in FBS. However, Penn State is 5-0 SU at home in 2016 and has won 11 of its last 12 home games. "Happy Valley" is again indeed, "happy!" Penn St is a 10* play.
Iowa: Senior C.J. Beathard has thrown for 1,380 yards with 11 TDs and four interceptions but the QB's numbers are down across the board from last season when the Hawkeyes opened the season with 11 straight wins. Iowa's running game averages 167.9 YPG with two solid RBs, Akrum Wadley (636 yards on 7.1 YPC and 8 TDs) and LeShun Daniels Jr. (624 yards on 5.2 YPC and 6 TDs). Penn State's rush D allows 183.4 YPG to rank 81st, so it can be exploited. Iowa's defense is always solid under Kirk Ferentz and this year is no different, allowing 18.9 PPG (16th).
Penn State: The Nittany Lions come in off a 62-24 blowout of Purdue, which enabled coach James Franklin to empty his bench early in the fourth quarter for the first time in recent memory. RB Saquon Barkley had 207 rushing yards and added 70 more receiving yards. He leads the team with 888 yards on 6.0 YPC with 10 TDs. QB Trace McSorley threw three TD passes in the win, giving him a 12-3 ratio on the season but he's completing just 55.2% of his passes. Under Joe Pa, one could always count on the Penn State defense but this year's unit is nothing special, allowing 27.0 PPG (62nd) on 380.4 YPG (46th).
The pick: This year's Hawkeyes are not that far away from being undefeated, as they've had their chances to win in all three defeats, falling by two, seven and eight points. Iowa is far from an offensive juggernaut but the Hawkeyes have scored points on 26-of-28 trips to the red zone, including 20 TDs and six FGs. That 92.9-percent success rate is second in the Big Ten and No. 12 in FBS. However, Penn State is 5-0 SU at home in 2016 and has won 11 of its last 12 home games. "Happy Valley" is again indeed, "happy!" Penn St is a 10* play.
