Iowa vs. Penn State Pre-Game

Iowa (3-0) vs. No. 5 Penn State (3-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m., Beaver Stadium
TV/Radio: ABC, Big Ten Network, AM 800 KXIC
Line: Penn State, +10 (espn.com)

What to watch for
Penn State has a revenge factor on the unbeaten Hawkeyes after Iowa sniped the Nittany Lions last year in Kinnick Stadium, 24-23. The game has garnered national attention, attracting ESPN's College GameDay and a prime-time kick off on ABC. The Penn State students have declared the game a "white-out."

Key Stats
Kirk Ferentz is 6-2 against Penn State, 3-1 at Beaver Stadium. The only starting QB to lose a game in Happy Valley will likely forever remain nameless in and around Iowa City (Jake Christensen). In Iowa's three wins over the Nits, two have come in over time. The other came on a 6-4 defensive struggle in 2005.

The consensus in the college football community is that Penn State at home is a lock, particularly with revenge on their minds. The ESPN.com message boards have been calling for a blow out by the Nits, but Iowa rarely gets blown out because of their stifling defense. The Hawks lead the Big Ten with six interceptions, four by sophomore safety Tyler Sash.

The ground game is going to be the decider for both teams. There is, however, no distinct difference between Iowa's running game and Penn State's.

Iowa's leading rusher redshirt freshman Adam Robinson, has rushed for 233 yards and three touchdowns on 45 carries in the Hawks' three wins.

Penn State's Evan Royster has 236 yards and three touchdowns on 45 carries. 134 of those yards, however, came last week against lowly Temple.

If Iowa controls the line of scrimmage, they win.

Prediction
The weather is sure to play a part in the outcome of this game. With temperatures in the mid-50s and a 70 percent chance of rain, I'm thinking it's going to be a low scoring affair. In sloppy, nasty games, the defense wins every time and Iowa has the better defense. The Hawks overcome some early mental errors, the defense keeps it close and Daniel Murray smites the Nits again, this time in their house.

Iowa 17, Penn State 16