Urban Meyer previews Penn State vs. Iowa: ‘This is a monster game'

There will be whiteout conditions in Happy Valley this weekend when Iowa comes to town to take on Penn State. Even early in the conference schedule, former head coach and current analyst Urban Meyer thinks this is going to be a massive game.

During Urban’s Take with Tim May, Meyer said this is going to be a monster game, praising both Iowa and Penn State this season.

“This is a huge game, and you’re right, there’s so many other big games that this is a monster game,” Urban Meyer said. “I think Iowa is the team to beat in the West. I think they’ve got the best defensive coordinator in college football. They’re tough, they’re rugged. You know how I feel about Coach [Kirk] Ferentz — I’ve always admired him and it’s arguably the most consistent. I know, offensively, they’ve been a mess the last couple of years, but they still find ways to win.”

Iowa opened the 2023 season 3-0 and is only allowing 12.3 points per game. They’re a tough game and Meyer expects them to make the game a dogfight.

“So, Penn State better be ready because Iowa finds a way. You know what’s gonna happen. In the fourth quarter, you’re gonna look up and the score is gonna be a four-point game.”

Despite Meyer feeling like Penn State is coming off a poor performance in the Nittany Lions 30-13 win over Illinois. Still, he’s incredibly impressed with the talent on this Penn State roster.

“I really like Penn State. Something happened last week. Penn State did not look very good. I went back and watched videotape. They’re so talented. This is the best Penn State talent team I’ve seen in 15 years. Those two running backs are phenomenal,” Meyer said.

“This is a monster game. It’s a whiteout game. We’ve been to some of those whiteout games, I think it’s the most difficult environment in college football. Those fans and the students do a great job there. So, this is a huge game.”

Penn State announced honorary captains for the Iowa game

Penn State announced that it’s bringing back a couple of former players for the whiteout game against Iowa. Quarterback Trace McSorley and defensive back Grant Haley are going to act as honorary captains for the game.

“Trace McSorley and Grant Haley will be this week’s honorary captains for Penn State, James Franklin said,” BlueWhite Illustrated’s Greg Pickel wrote. “Both former Lions are already in town ahead of Saturday’s matchup with Iowa.”