Penn State is looking to improve to 4-0 this weekend and 2-0 in Big Ten play as the Nittany Lions take on west division foe Iowa for the latest in the long series of close and competitive clashes. With rain in the forecast and no shortage of familiarity between these two programs, there’s no reason to think Saturday’s White Out game at Beaver Stadium will be any different. With that in mind, here are five storylines to follow as the Nittany Lions face the Hawkeyes.
Bounce Back: Penn State didn’t play poorly against Illinois but the Nittany Lions also didn’t come away from Champaign giving everyone the most “that was impressive” energy either. Drew Allar was on the wrong end of drops more than bad throws, but Saturday night is the first chance in his collegiate career to bounce back from what was at least a lukewarm statistical performance. In general it will be interesting to see how Allar handles the entire circus that is the White Out, but judging by how he has handled just about everything else, it’s hard to expect anything but poise. On the whole though, can he bounce back and hit what limited explosive plays Iowa’s defense allows? The Hawkeyes wait for you to make a mistake but Allar has shown a willingness to take what is there. Does that hold true Saturday? All of this will be particularly valuable under the new clock rules and two teams that are happy to run the ball. Possessions will be limited.
Good Chin: For the most part Penn State hasn’t had to take a punch this season and prove it fans [and itself] that it can get back up. Iowa might not pose the offensive firepower to put the Nittany Lions in an early hole of note, but the Hawkeyes could force a turnover or just gum up the works enough for Penn State’s offense that the Nittany Lions feel a little frustrated or staggered by the situation. Can they respond with calm and poise? The good news is that Drew Allar certainly seems to be the kind of guy who doesn’t get rattled by much and nothing helps an offense like a poised quarterback. All of that being said, if Penn Stat is going to face true adversity in the first half of the season, Saturday night is the best bet for that happening between Week 1 and Ohio State late next month. All good teams can land punches, great ones can take them.
Know Your Role: When Penn State has made mistakes this year on defense it has in no small part come down to missed assignments rather than poor tackling or more “it happens” kinds of errors. That may not have mattered against lesser teams, and maybe that will hold true against Iowa as well, but Penn State is getting closer and closer to the time of year when mental mistakes are the differences in games. Even if Penn State can overcome mistakes this weekend, does it look like a team making fewer of them? Few penalties, fewer missed gap assignments and fewer drops. Check off all those boxes and Penn State should not only win, but look better for it.
Be Special: Penn State is tentatively making strides towards a fully realized special teams unit and this is the type of game and the time of year where mistakes on special teams can really cost you. If Alex Felkins can continue to give Penn State options in the kicking game and Kaden Saunders can continue to show promise in the punt return game then this group is well on its way to no longer being a red flag issue. It’s not a sexy area of play, but everyone remembers blocked field goals and white outs.
Stout Insides: The Nittany Lions knows that Iowa is going to run the ball. Iowa knows that Penn State knows. So which thing wins out? It might be a bit of both but nobody is going to give Penn State’s defensive interior more of a early season litmus test like Iowa. Being healthier up front has already helped Penn State’s cause in the trenches, but like all things in football, being able to be consistent is the even bigger key. If Penn State can continue to line of scrimmage on defense it should win with ease. It doesn’t get much more complicated than that. As always though, it’s easier said than done.
NO. 7 PENN STATE VS. NO. 24 IOWA
WHEN: 7:30 p.m., Sept. 23
WHERE: Beaver Stadium
TV: CBS
SPREAD: Penn State -14.5
