Penn State Football and Big Ten Picks ATS | Week 5
Penn State football looks to extend there win streak to seven straight over the Iowa Hawkeyes Saturday afternoon, and that elusive first win of 2020.
Penn State football enters Saturday’s game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in uncharted territory, 0-4 for the first time since 2001 and a home underdog to the Kirk Ferentz led Hawkeyes.
Nobody could have predicted this nightmare start for head coach James Franklin’s squad, but such is the fate and reality for Penn State. They have lost the confidence of this fan base, and now seemingly lost the confidence from the guys in the desert, as Penn State is a 2.5 point underdog Saturday.
We had our first winning week of the season last weekend, going 2-1 with our lone loss being Penn State, who is now 0-4 ATS this season.
Saturday’s Big Ten slate is highlighted by ranked matchups and a few blue bloods fighting to get there seasons back on track. Lets make some money!
Here’s a look at our against the spread predictions:
Record To Date: 6-7
Penn State +2.5 vs Iowa
This is becoming a toxic relationship…….
But we’re going to give it ONE more shot.
Penn State has not covered as a favorite or underdog a single time this season, however I think this is the week they get off the schneid.
As Franklin mentioned in his weekly press conference on Tuesday, you know what you are getting when you face a Ferentz led Iowa team; a tough, disciplined quad who is strong at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
Iowa enters Saturday at 2-2 after two consecutive convincing wins over Michigan State and Minnesota. As usual, they are reliant on one of the best rushing attacks in the conference behind sophomore Tyler Goodson and a strong offensive line. Iowa does not ask much of first year starting quarterback Spencer Petras, who has four interceptions to only three touchdowns on the year.
The offensive imbalance should play well for Penn State, who is fifth in the Big Ten in rushing defense. In last week’s game, Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey ran for 67 yards on Penn State, but the rest of the team only combined for 84 yards on 26 carries. Petras does not scare you with his legs, as he has 27 rushing yards on the season. Stop the run and force him to beat you is the key for Brent Pry’s defense.
Despite Franklin playing his cards close to the vest, I expect Will Levis to get the nod at quarterback for Penn State. He will have a much tougher test with the Hawkeyes defense who is stout against the pass and second in the conference in interceptions. If he can take care of the ball and keep Penn State out of yet another early hole, allowing the run game to take shape, they’ll have a chance to put points on the board.
I expect an ugly, tough, throwback type Big Ten game that Penn State eeks out late. 21-17 Penn State.