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Penn State Football: Keys to the Game vs Iowa

By Corey Hunter

Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Football players run onto the field prior to the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Football players run onto the field prior to the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O /
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October 8, 2011; State College, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions fans cheer during first quarter action against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey G. Pittenger-US PRESSWIRE
October 8, 2011; State College, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions fans cheer during first quarter action against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey G. Pittenger-US PRESSWIRE /

Penn State returns home to square off in another primetime clash with the Iowa Hawkeyes.  Can the upstart Lions continue their solid play, or is Penn State ripe for an upset?

Penn State returns home this weekend fresh off a thundering 62-24 triumph over the Purdue Boilermakers.  Just like two weeks ago, the Nittany Lions will face formidable opponent – the Iowa Hawkeyes.  And, just like two weeks ago, the forecast, is calling for WhiteOut conditions at Beaver Stadium.

Penn State head coach James Franklin wasted little time after the Purdue victory last weekend in imploring the fans to whiteout the Hawkeyes.

No doubt Penn State is well aware of the importance of this showdown with Iowa.  The Hawkeyes have given the Nittany Lions fits over the years, especially at Beaver Stadium.  Iowa has won in Happy Valley in 2002, 2004, and 2009.  No question that Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz knows how to get his team ready to play under difficult conditions.  In addition to Ferentz being a superb motivator, his team also enters the contest coming off a bye week.  Iowa has certainly fallen below expectations this season coming off an 11-2 Rose Bowl season last year.  This week the Hawkeyes look for a small measure of redemption if they can knock off No. 12 Penn State.

Many in Nittany Nation were pleasantly surprised this week to learn that Penn State was ranked No. 12 in the first College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings.  The high ranking, according to CFP chairman Kirby Hocutt, rewards Penn State’s solid schedule as well as their dramatic win over Ohio State.  With excitement in Happy Valley at a frenzied pitch, Iowa looks to pull off the upset?  Can the Hawkeyes pump the brakes on the the Nittany Lions to the Rose Bowl talk, or can Penn State continue their strong play?

Find out in the keys to the game.

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