Skip to main content
penn-state logo

Penn State vs Iowa Preview: Five Things to Watch

Headshot 5x7 reduced qualityby:Thomas Frank Carr•09/22/23•

ThomasFrankCarr

Penn State Football On3
Penn State Football faces Iowa in the 2023 White Out Game. Join the BWI Live show at 10 a.m. to discuss the primetime clash. (Dani Dennis-Sutton: Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Penn State faces another tough challenge in Big Ten play to start the 2023 season when the Iowa Hawkeyes come to Happy Valley. It’s the 2023 White Out Game, and we’re here to break down the matchup with five things to watch during the game. 

Join the BWI Live Show today at 10 a.m. on YouTube to get a preview of which players, schemes, and situations will dictate the matchup between Penn State and its next opponent. We’ll take your questions and comments on the show, so jump into the live chat to discuss the game. 

Also, don’t forget to join the Penn State Football Tailgate Show tomorrow at 4:30, live outside the Bryce Jordan Center. Former Penn State defensive tackle Aeneas Hawkins joins us to break down the game and give his thoughts on the upcoming matchup. 

Five Things to Watch: Penn State vs. Iowa 

Once again, Penn State faces Iowa in a pivotal game early in the season. Head coach James Franklin has gotten used to it over the years. 

“First of all, it’s almost like opening on the road in the Big Ten. We played Iowa more than anybody. Maybe you could make the argument part of maybe the best team in the west over our team here at Penn State. You could make that argument.

Again, we love that. We’re appreciative of the Big Ten for that. I know it’s random – random.”

Like many other Iowa teams, this group will represent a challenge in the running game. The team is strong up the middle with stout defensive tackles and physical linebackers. Is this another opportunity for the Penn State offensive line to prove themselves? Or is it another chance for the offensive scheme to pivot? We’ll examine this topic from both angles and try to determine how Penn State will play with its ground game. 

On the flip side, is this the same old Iowa team? The Hawkeyes have struggled to score points and run the ball up the middle. We’ll examine the opponent’s success running in the A and B gaps and give some film-level clues as to why. 

Next, we’ll put the spotlight on Drew Allar and the Penn State passing attack. How will the Nittany Lion’s first-year starter handle the disciplined and tenacious coverage unit for Iowa in the White Out? We’ll discuss the keys to keeping him upright. 

Biggest threat for Iowa out for the season

Tight end Luke Lachey’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for Iowa. We’ll explain how important he was to the Iowa passing attack. Can the Hawkeyes pivot in one week? 

Finally, we’ll get to the number-one wrinkle in the game that we find the most interesting. How will Allar fare against one specific coverage? We’ll discuss those topics and your thoughts today on the BWI Live Show at 10 a.m.!

You may also like