Penn State-Iowa: 3 Keys to Victory

Hello, all. If you haven't been paying attention, things have been going pretty freaking well in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions are riding a 4-game winning streak and are #12 in the nation. Today is likely their toughest remaining hurdle in the regular season, as the 5-3 Iowa Hawkeyes come into State College, looking to start to salvage what has been a underwhelming year in Iowa City. Here are three things Penn State can do to ensure a 5th straight victory.

Key #1: Let Saquon run wild

The best player on Penn State's offense is without question Saquon Barkley. So, common sense says  that for an offense to score points, its best player needs to produce. Both the Nittany Lions and Barkley are heating up at the same time, and I don't think that is coincidental. I see no reason to believe that #26 takes a step back tonight.

Odds of excution: Fantastic 

Key #2: Stop Akrum Wadley 

The Iowa Hawkeyes are a solid offensive football team. However, they are not known for passing the football. Akrum Wadley is the man on Iowa's offense, as so far, he has accounted for 636 yards rushing with eight touchdowns, and averages a staggering 7.1 yards per carry. According to reports, Iowa also plans on using Wadley as a receiver. If Penn State can stop Akrum Wadley or at least limit him, they will win the football game. However, I have my concerns. 

Odds of excution: Moderate

Key #3: Feed off the crowd

Just like I wrote before the legendary Ohio State game, Penn State has 107,000 people on their side under the lights at Beaver Stadium. Just because Penn State is favored does not mean that they should play with much less intensity than they did when they defeated the Buckeyes. If Penn State is not ready to play with all that they have going for them tonight, then that is a problem.


Prediction
I have my doubts about this game. Yes, Penn State is the better team. Yes, Iowa has been disappointing. Yes, the Lions are at home. But Iowa still has a lot of talent back from the team that went to the Rose Bowl just ten months ago, so they are still capable. Nonetheless, Penn State is rolling. The offense is clicking, the defense is getting healthy, and everything is starting to come together. I don't see this Iowa team coming into Beaver Stadium and stopping this runaway train.

Penn State 35, Iowa 13