Iowa Hawkeyes at Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Preview
It’s a huge game for both teams as the Iowa Hawkeyes play on the road at the Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday. Both the Hawkeyes and the Nittany Lions are unbeaten on the season. Iowa has wins over Utah State, Iowa State, and Western Michigan.
For the Penn State Nittany Lions, their three wins came over West Virginia, Delaware, and then a conference win last week against the Fighting Illini of Illinois.
The Iowa Hawkeyes come into the game as big underdogs. The Hawkeyes are +14.5 in Happy Valley, with a total of 40.5.
Nittany Lions Favorites at Home
Penn State boasts a more formidable offense than their opponent in this game. Quarterback Drew Aller leads the charge for the Nittany Lions, amassing 737 passing yards and four touchdowns this season. His primary target, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, has accumulated 13 receptions for over 220 yards and two touchdowns.
Penn State ranks 17th in all of College Football in scoring, averaging 43.7 points per game in the first three games. Defensively, they’re equally impressive, ranking 13th and allowing a mere 11.7 points per game.
Kaytron Allen spearheads the rushing attack with 42 carries, yielding 208 yards and two touchdowns this season. Penn State’s next challenge awaits them at Northwestern, and the outcome of this game will largely depend on their ability to convert opportunities when they reach the red zone.
Hawkeyes Looking for Offense
On the flip side, Kirk Ferentz is acutely aware that the sole path to victory in this upcoming game lies in their ability to maintain an outstanding defense, protect the football, and capitalize on scoring opportunities. The Hawkeyes have been grappling with offensive struggles for several seasons, and this year is no different, averaging just 28.3 points per game.
Iowa finds itself among the weakest passing teams in College Football, mustering slightly over 150 yards per game through the air. Their quarterback, Cade McNamara, is adept at safeguarding possession but hasn’t managed to push the ball down the field effectively, accumulating only 417 passing yards in three games. Nonetheless, he has notched four touchdowns.
Luke Lachey, operating as the primary receiver in the tight end position for Iowa, has hauled in ten receptions for 131 yards thus far this season. The Iowa Hawkeyes’ schedule reveals that this game is an away fixture, with subsequent matchups against Michigan State and Purdue in consecutive weeks upon their return home.
Nittany Lions Win; Hawkeyes Cover
This is going to be a defensive struggle in Happy Valley. Two of the best defensive teams, not just in the Big Ten but all of College Football. In the end, though, the home team is going to win the game. But two touchdowns are too much for the spread in this game.
Iowa competes but can’t score enough to win. Take the Iowa Hawkeyes to cover +14.5. The final score prediction for this game – Penn State 21-17 over the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday.
