Penn State plays football against Iowa tonight.
Both teams are 3-0. Penn State’s ranked No. 7, Iowa No. 24. CBS will be in the house, and Penn State’s favored by 14.5.
Here’s what NSN’s staff— and a special guest— see happening tonight.
Ethan Ronan, Nittany Sports Now:
I see this as a revenge game for James Franklin and staff from 2021’s heartbreaking loss at lowa. I also see this as an opportunity for Drew Allar to show what he’s got and break out Saturday night in front of a possible recording-breaking crowd. I feel a PSU signature win.
PSU 33, Iowa 14
Tom Kakert, Hawkeye Report: I’ve probably upgraded Penn State more than anything (from before the season). I thought it would probably be like a one-score game. Now, I’m probably looking at a Penn State double-figure win. 27-13, something like that. Maybe 27-10. I just think Penn State, I think they have this one circled. I know the fans do. (Iowa’s) offense is just limited right now with all the injuries, adjusting to playing without Luke Lachey. I think it’s just a bigger challenge for Iowa, and I’m just not sure they’re ready.
PSU 27, Iowa 10
Aaron Pearson, The Nittany Pod: Penn State 31, Iowa 10
TK, The Nittany Pod: Penn State 34, Iowa 10
Alex Shaffer, The Nittany Pod: Penn State 30, Iowa 10
Joe Smeltzer, Nittany Sports Now: This is Penn State’s toughest test of the season to this point, and anybody who doesn’t see that simply isn’t giving Iowa enough credit. Iowa does a lot of things well, especially defensively, and it would no doubt be favored over West Virginia, Delaware or Illinois on a neutral site.
But I’m a firm believer in football and all sports that, when two teams are similar stylistically, the edge has to go to the team with better players.
For as much as PSU fans have grown to hate and make fun of Iowa over the past two years, the best recipe for winning is the same for both: play good defense, run the ball.
PSU has one of the best defenses in the country and arguably the best running back duo anywhere. The defense has been excellent from Week 1 onward this year, and I think Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen are due to make a statement,
Iowa’s defense and (potentially) the weather will keep PSU from scoring a ton, but I just can’t see Iowa’s banged up offense doing much against Penn State.
Penn State 21, Iowa 10
