Here's my take on Penn State: They weren't exactly an offensive juggernaut last year. but their defense was stout. They lost a couple D-line guys, a linebacker and most of their secondary to the NFL along with a couple O-line guys. They lost their star running back, leading receiver and kicker/punter along with some depth due to transfers. The circus has a new ringleader and he has the team focused.
Last year PSU beat us 13-3 in a defensive battle to improve to 5-1 - their only loss was to Alabama. This year Penn State comes to Kinnick for a night game with a 4-2 record. This is a completely different act. Penn State's schedule to date has been very weak. The defenses they've faced all ranked higher than 50+ and the offenses they've faced were similarly rated or one dimensional. They beat Northwestern, but that's another team who despite the glossy record was way overrated.
This PSU team has no kicking game. McClown the QB has been terrible in the past. He seems a bit cocky this year now that he's finally starting (by default) and has won a few games. He's completed only one pass all year over 25 yards and has a glossy 6 yard per pass average. Up to this game, he's gotten away with quite a few poor throws, poor decisions and should have been interceptions. My prediction: Hawkeyes bring PSU down to earth.....THUD! Three sacks and three interceptions by our defense and the Offense has a break-out game. Vandy throws more TD's against PSU than he's thrown all year (three!). Hawks smoke PSU 37-13.
Last year PSU beat us 13-3 in a defensive battle to improve to 5-1 - their only loss was to Alabama. This year Penn State comes to Kinnick for a night game with a 4-2 record. This is a completely different act. Penn State's schedule to date has been very weak. The defenses they've faced all ranked higher than 50+ and the offenses they've faced were similarly rated or one dimensional. They beat Northwestern, but that's another team who despite the glossy record was way overrated.
This PSU team has no kicking game. McClown the QB has been terrible in the past. He seems a bit cocky this year now that he's finally starting (by default) and has won a few games. He's completed only one pass all year over 25 yards and has a glossy 6 yard per pass average. Up to this game, he's gotten away with quite a few poor throws, poor decisions and should have been interceptions. My prediction: Hawkeyes bring PSU down to earth.....THUD! Three sacks and three interceptions by our defense and the Offense has a break-out game. Vandy throws more TD's against PSU than he's thrown all year (three!). Hawks smoke PSU 37-13.
