Penn State football game-by-game predictions | Nittany Lions finally make College Football Playoff?

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 05: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with head coach James Franklin after scoring a touchdown against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half at Beaver Stadium on October 5, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 05: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with head coach James Franklin after scoring a touchdown against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half at Beaver Stadium on October 5, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
(Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

Week 5: Iowa vs. Penn State, Nov. 21, Kickoff time: TBD

Traditionally one of the toughest opponents on Penn State’s schedule, the Nittany Lions have won six in a row, but only by a combined total of 13 points over the past three seasons.

This year, as has been in the past, Iowa always seems to land in a tricky part of Penn State’s schedule, as it does the week prior to what could be a monumental game at Michigan in Week 6.

For Iowa’s defense, this could be a bit of a rebuilding year, which makes the Nittany Lions an extra tough matchup with the likes of Brown, Cain, Ford, All-American tight end Pat Friermuth and a veteran offensive line in front of quarterback Sean Clifford.

There’s a risk that Franklin’s team could be looking ahead to Ann Arbor, but this is a veteran group on both sides of the football that should be focused enough to weather whatever storm Kirk Ferentz whips up this time around.

Prediction: 20-16  WIN