PSU Preview: Iowa

Game 10


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Saturday, November 8, 2008. 3:30 p.m. Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa.

After a bye week, your #2.5 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions (9-0, 5-0) are back in action—this time against the underrated Iowa Hawkeyes (5-4, 2-2). Iowa is coming off a bad loss against Illinois, a game in which they should’ve won. In fact, this is a dangerous Iowa team; a team whose four losses were by a combined 12 points. In each of those games Iowa lost late, and should’ve won. PSU, meanwhile, got to take the week off, heal up, and get ready to go on the road. Oh, and if the Nits were short of motivation to win this week, the wonderful BCS, ignorant sports writers, and countless college football blowhards still don’t think PSU is a high-caliber team. What better way to prove them wrong then to make yet another statement in Iowa City. Nevertheless, you have to start to wonder: when will we not have to make a statement and finally get some respect?***

***If you wish to debate that issue, you know how to locate me. But, you better come armed with an ass-load of information.

Anyway, back to it…

When PSU is on offense: Iowa boasts a good defense, and they play very tough. They have allowed only 82 points in 9 games this season, and have done so with a hard-nosed style, led by defensive tackle Mitch King. The Hawkeyes have lost one of their starting safeties for the remainder of the year due to underage drinking, but it shouldn’t matter. What does matter is how aggressive (or not) our offensive will be on Saturday. If we go conservative, then we play right into the hands of the Iowa defense. If we run the full extent of the Spread HD, which is what we should do, then we’ll be tough to stop. Fact is, Iowa’s defense is good, but they don’t match up well against our weapons. But, your weapons can’t be utilized if you keep them locked up.

When PSU is on defense: Iowa runs a very basic offense, but it all hinges on talented RB Shonn Greene. Greene, who has amassed over 1,200 yards on the ground, could be one of the best running backs in the nation. Therefore, our gameplan should be the same as it was against Wisconsin and Ohio State…stop the run. It worked fine in those games, and should do well on Saturday. If you take Greene out of the game, or at limit his production, then Iowa is forced to rely on shaky quarterback Ricky Stanzi. Stanzi seems to only be able to throw 4 and 5 yard rollout passes consistently. Anything over that yardage and he becomes wildy erratic. So, stop Greene and all should be fine

When you’re PSU and you’re undefeated: will you, can you, ever catch a break and get some damn respect?

Bottom line: As much as I hate to admit it, we have to prove to a lot of people (read: a-hole AP writers who don’t even watch our games, but read the stat line and draw conclusions) just how dominate we are. Clearly, the first 9 games didn’t do it for these people. I know, there is a lot of ball to be played by everyone, but the reality is that no one outside of the Nittany Nation believes that we are good enough to make it to Miami, let alone stand a chance if we do. Therefore, we can’t afford to give anyone or any computer more reasons to doubt us. So, look for us to load up on the Iowa running game, and revert back to the offensive aggressiveness that we saw against Wisconsin and Illinois. We don’t need to do both to win, but both would spell a dominate victory. This team continues to have a chip on its shoulder, and it’s growing (thanks BCS!). Not to mention we’ve had an extra week to sharpen our attack. If you’re Iowa, you could be in for it.

KNITS Pick:

PSU: 38

Iowa: 7

Game Notes…

1. Daryll Clark has been limited in practice, but will play on Saturday. He is said to be fine.

2. Iowa is planning an overall black-out for Saturday’s game, with the students doing a “Greene-out” for Shonn Greene. Just when you thought a black-out couldn’t be any more ridiculous.

3. The Whites. And the ¾ length white sock.

Let's Go State!!!