The offense will need to be competent (limit three & outs and turnovers) and timely (don’t lose contact). If Iowa can go into Happy Valley and come away like they did in 2009, it’ll be enough to make me think anything is truly possible with this team.įor that to happen, the defense will need to be stellar, per usual. BUT, the possibilities that arise from being the fly in the ointment on a Penn State white out game? It’s the first “just win, baby” game of the season. If they were any other team with any other offensive coordinator, the optimism of talent influx via portal would feel real to me dammit.īut until I see that happen, I’m gonna be cynical and perhaps unnecessarily. I know I’ve been a little surly about Iowa’s 2023 prospects but if we are being honest, Iowa should skate through their first three games and put some points on the board. Brandon Smith’s fourth quarter touchdown breathed life into Iowa’s chances before a failed two-point conversion and decision to kick deep sealed Iowa’s fate. Iowa busted out the banana peels and struggled mightily on offense for the second straight game after being held to three points at Michigan. Worst case - 12 points : The flipside is looking at 2019’s arguably low point. The 41 simultaneously seems inflated and deflated, as Iowa went into prevent mode after a third quarter touchdown from Mekhi Sargent put them up 24. Taking a look at games where Brian Ferentz was offensive coordinator to identify best and worst cases in his “Climb to 325”īest case - 41 points : Iowa’s 2020 reached a climax in an empty stadium against the Nits, as they finally ended a six-game losing streak punctuated by Daviyon Nixon’s exclamation point. He added 3 interceptions as the guy opposite Joey Porter, Jr. Kalen King (#4, CB, Jr., 5’11”, 190 lbs): Those passes deflected? King was the guy who led the way with a mind-boggling 16 last season to lead the conference. It was a scab opponents picked at against Iowa time and again last year. While many of his highlights come as part of a blitzer in PSU’s scheme, it’s worth noting just how quickly he gets into the backfield through the center of opponents’ offensive line. He added 14 touchdowns, 12 on the ground and one for a kick return. The latter was good for second in the conference. Nicholas Singleton (#10, RB, So., 6’0”, 228 lbs): As a freshman, Singleton amassed over 1000 rushing yards at 6.8 yards/carry. It compares incredibly favorably to Iowa’s number (46) but really, it’s a function of what each team asks their guys to do. Iowa took advantage of their aggressiveness with the game-winning score in 2021 but they’ll be a tough test for an offensive line which hasn’t played together yet.Ĩ3 passes deflected : With their emphasis on getting to the QB, the Nittany Lions leverage more press coverage to force early throws into tight windows. Last year’s 3.2 sacks/game ranked 8th in the nation. +17.5: PSU was top 20 in scoring offense & defense, culminating in the 6th best scoring margin in the nation.ģ.2 sacks/game: Part of what keeps their defense in the upper echelon is their hectic front seven which attacks the backfield. Last year, they bounced back after an underwhelming couple of years, capped with their third New Year’s Six bowl win. Why: they have rotated onto Iowa’s schedule as determined by the Big Ten Conference 4 StatsĤ 11-win seasons: Over the last 7 years, Franklin has had Penn State humming with a 64 wins, tied for 10th in the nation. What: Iowa’s first game on CBS in decades Head Coach: James Franklin 78-36 (.684) in 9 years at PSU, 102-51 (.667) in 12 seasons overall Who: Penn State Nittany Lions (University Park, PA Big Ten Conference) Up next are the Penn State Nittany Lions who figure to be the toughest opponent on Iowa’s schedule. It’s that time of year again: I crack open my trusty laptop which still has Yahoo! as the default search engine and begin the football previews.
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