Penn State-Iowa: Three Keys to Victory

Hello, all. It is week four of the 2017 Penn State football season, but considering that this is the first true test the Nittany Lions have faced all year, and the Big 10 opener, one could argue that it is week one. Tonight, Penn State will try to hold off upset-minded Iowa in a brutal road enviornment. Here are three keys that they need to execute to do that.
Key #1: Time of possession

Photo creds to Land of 10.

As good as Penn State's offense has been this year, it has not been dominant as far as holding the football goes. Against Pitt, the Nittany Lions only held the ball for 21:40 while the Panthers had it for 38:20. Against Georiga State last week, the Panthers held the ball for 38:47.
It is true that a big reason for this is that Penn State scores a lot, sometimes quickly. But this is the first decent offense the Nittany Lions have faced all year. If Penn State doesn't hold the ball long, it could allow the Hawkeyes to mount long drives, and keep the ball out of Trace McSorley's hands. While that was all well and good the past two weeks, it might not fly tonight.

Key #2: Bend, but don't suck (but don't bend to begin with)

Penn State's defense has allowed a total of 14 points in three games. If you look past those numbers, however, the defense has had its problems in the first few weeks. A perfect example of this is last Saturday.
Although the Nittany Lions shut out Georiga State, the Panthers had more first downs (21-19) and put up 320 yards of offense, which is a decent amount for a team that scored 0 points. Penn State better be careful not to let Iowa move the ball because unlike Georiga State, the Hawkeyes just might convert those chances. If Iowa gets the ball in the red zone, the defense must hold strong. As former defensive coordinator Tom Bradley used to say; Bend, but don't suck. It would help my heart rate, however, if the defense didn't bend, either.


Key #3: Start fast

Photo creds to Sheraton Iowa City Hotel

There is no question that Iowa will be fired up tonight. This game is in prime time, played in front of an electric home crowd, and Kirk Ferentz remembers last years massacre in Happy Valley. The best time for Iowa to get things going against Penn State will be in the first quarter when the adrenaline is highest. If the Hawkeyes can't outplay the Nittany Lions in the first 15 minutes, it will be hard for them to do so for the next 45. If Penn State can handle the initial adrenaline, I think they have the edge for the rest of the night. If not, we will be in for a fight.

Final Prediction
Considering that the Iowa Hawkeyes caused two of my five worst nights as a Penn State fan; well, from an on-field standpoint anyway, I am always nervous for a game at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa is always a well-coached team that gets the most out of its talent, and the Hawkeyes are a tough out for anybody in the Big 10, especially at home.

With that said, this Penn State team is too talented, in my opinion, to slip this early. The Hawkeyes have not looked impressive these first few weeks, as they've struggled with North Texas and Iowa State. I think Iowa will be a decent team in the Big 10 West, but there's nothing that makes me believe that it will ruin Penn State's dream season before it starts.

It's time once and for all that we vanquish the nightmares of 2008 and 2009. Blowing out Iowa at Kinnick in 2012 was awesome. Last years party was fantastic. But tonight, coming in as a top-five team, with most of the nation hoping for an upset, and beating the Hawkeyes, would signify that the days of Ferentz having Penn State's number are over.

Penn State 30, Iowa 17