Hawkeyes Mic: Hawkeyes – Nittany Lions Prognostications (10/26/18)
The Hawkeyes Mic picks are in for the Iowa – Penn State Game. Opinions are split for this key Big Ten Game. Check them out – see if you agree or disagree. Our Guest Prognosticator this week is former minor league baseball pitcher J.D. Scholten – who also happens to be running for Congress in Iowa’s 4th District. No matter what happens, three of us are going to be correct this week.
J.D. Scholten – Iowa 28-24:
If there’s one thing every Hawkeye fan is ok with is that Saquon Barkley is playing for the New York Giants. Penn St still has Trace McSorley and Iowa will have to keep him from running/throwing all over the place.
The Hawks are coming off of their most complete game. How about that defensive shutout! Nate Stanley is finding his groove. It’s not easy to go into Beaver Stadium but I think they still fear Adrian Clayborn there.
@Scholten4Iowa on Twitter
Scott Dochterman – Iowa 27-20:
The only thing missing from Iowa’s resume is a signature victory. The Hawkeyes seem to hit the areas where Penn State is weak, while Iowa has very few visible weaknesses.
TheAthletic.com; @ScottDochterman on Twitter
Steve Batterson – Penn State 27-24:
Something about Iowa seems to bring out the best in Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley. He’s piled up 625 yards of offense against the Hawkeyes over the past two seasons. The Iowa run defense will test what McSorley and Miles Sanders have to offer, but it might be another Iowa guy, Penn State freshman kicker Jake Pinegar from Ankeny Centennial, who decides this one. He’s 6-of-7 on field goal tries inside 40 yards.
The Quad City Times; @SBatt79 on Twitter
Tyler Tjelmeland – Penn State 21-20:
I firmly believe Iowa’s the better team right now, but Happy Valley is a tough place to waltz into and win easily. The last time Iowa did it, the Hawks had a line filled with talent, much like the 2018 group. That dynamic is intriguing & this will be won upfront, as always
Iowa hasn’t won there since that game I referenced earlier in 2009, and it was embarrassed the last trip there 41-14. It’s a challenging pick to make because of Iowa’s recent success this season and Penn State’s struggles lately, BUT the home team Nittany Lions are the right pick here…by the skin of their teeth.
HawkeyesMic.com; @TylerTjemeland on Twitter
Jack Brandsgard – Iowa :
Going into Happy Valley, especially when both teams are ranked, is a tall task. The crowd is going to be raucous and give the Nittany Lions three free points, which is the difference in this game. Both teams are evenly matched and if the game were played at Kinnick, I’d pick the Hawkeyes.
Something to keep an eye on is Iowa’s ability to contain Trace McSorley’s running ability. McSorley isn’t a great thrower, but he’s dangerous with his legs. Iowa’s zone scheme could work to keep McSorley in the pocket.
HawkeyesMic.com; @JackBrandsgard on Twitter
John Patchett – Iowa 31-20:
I’ve been fairly confident in my picks all season – and I’m confident in this one as well. Iowa is on a roll – in all three phases – and some of the stats are quite astounding.
Penn State has had some defensive struggles and offensively has become almost one-dimensional as the passing game is not well (or at least not up to normal PSU standards). McSorley is still there. Saquon Barkley is not. Last season when they had both of those guys plus some really good receivers, it took the last play of the game to defeat Iowa by one point.
Why would I pick against the Hawkeyes in this game – other than maybe the fact it’s being played in Happy Valley? That’s not a good enough reason this season. Iowa rolls – and the Nittany Lions drop their third straight home game.
HawkeyesMic.com; @HawkeyesMic on Twitter
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